Wilkins Tourist Maps produce two maps in this area. You can pick up an East Coast North or South map from accommodation houses and some information centres in towns in this area.

Select a touring route from below to automatically open it on this page.

AREA INFORMATION

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EAST COAST SOUTH TOURING MAP

Exploring the East Coast (South).

Because of the large number of attractions to see in this popular section of Tasmania we have divided it into two sections. This one covers the south to Bicheno including Maria Island, Swansea, the Freycinet Peninsula and Bicheno. The north section covers St Marys, St Helens and Binalong Bay.

Start this tour at Sorell in the south and turn north at the 'T' junction at the traffic lights. The road crosses the ranges and joins the Prosser River just south of Orford. Orford is a small fishing town on the river and has several fine restaurants, a motel, an hotel and a few shops. To its north, a few kilometres is Triabunna, staging point for tours to Maria Island and the convict ruins there. There is a fine bakery, a Backpackers across the river, an hotel motel, a caravan park, an accredited Visitor Centre, supermarket and service stations.

From Triabunna head north through Little Swanport to the popular resort town of Swansea. Along the way is the 'Spiky Bridge', built by convicts and for some reason, capped with jagged rocks protruding at all angles. It is just beside the road near the Mayfield Bay Coastal Park and picnic spot. There are fine views from here across the bay to the Freycinet Peninsula.
There are several significant buildings to see in Swansea including Morris Store and Schouten House. There is a fine beach, several cafes, two caravan parks and a motel. At the northern end of town the Swansea Bark Mill is a major attraction and there are other galleries and museums to visit in the town.
From Swansea continue north through Cranbrook which has a wine centre, and Apslawn, where there are two wineries to visit, before turning east to Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula.

Coles Bay is one of Tasmania's most attractive towns. Compact and nestled around the bay with The Hazards range across the water providing a spectacular backdrop, it is a photographers dream.
There are walks in the Freycinet Peninsula National Park and a local map details them. Coles Bay has a supermarket, tour operator, motel, cabins and holiday units, and restaurants. There is only one way in and out of Coles Bay and on the return trip you should make the small detours to the Oyster Farm and to the Friendly Beaches. Rejoin the highway and continue north to Bicheno where the East Coast North map takes over.
Bicheno is a fishing village with a sandy beach surrounded by rugged rocky coastline with a blowhole on the rocky foreshore. There is a caravan park, an hotel motel, cabins and units, an excellent bakery, and a museum. For more information on Bicheno see the town information.

The east coast is the resort playground of Tasmania and it is often difficult to get accommodation.

Check and book using the accommodation facility on the area page.