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When you think of beautiful beaches in Australia, popular ones like Bondi Beach in Sydney or the Gold Coast often come to mind. Tasmania, which is known for its unique nature and wildlife, also has incredible beaches that are worth exploring. The eastern coast of Tasmania is home to the island’s most impressive beaches.
In this guide, I’ll discuss the 5 best beaches in Eastern Tasmania. I’ll include why they are the best, how to get there, and other advice for visiting Tasmania.
Table of Contents
Where is Tasmania?
The island of Tasmania is located to the south of the Australian mainland. It is located so far to the south, that the entire continent of Africa lies farther north. Only Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand (and Antarctica) extend further to the south than Tasmania.
How to Get to Tasmania
Because Tasmania is an island, you can imagine that there are only a couple of ways to get there, which are discussed below.
Flight
Hobart has an international airport. While it mostly receives domestic flights, there are also flights to and from New Zealand (and Antarctica!) a few times per week. If you are not already in Australia, I would recommend flying to the mainland first, then getting a flight to Tasmania.
I used Skyscanner and booked a last-minute flight from Sydney to Hobart for $70 USD.
Ferry
If you are feeling adventurous, you could also take a ferry from the Australian mainland to Tasmania. Expect to pay around $100 USD and for the trip to last around 9-11 hours.
The Best Way to Get Around Tasmania
I highly recommend renting a car while in Tasmania! It is very easy and convenient to get around the island this way. Otherwise, you will have to rely on ridesharing applications or taxis, which will be much more expensive.
Rental cars are very affordable as well. I got a car from Ace Rental Cars in Hobart for 33 AUD/day ($21 USD/day in 2023, see current rates here).
Check out RentalCars.com to find the best option!
Let’s dive into the 5 best beaches in Eastern Tasmania!
1. Safety Cove Beach
Safety Cove Beach was easily my favorite beach for two reasons: privacy and marine wildlife. There were no other people on the beach when I visited, so I got to enjoy the whole place to myself.
In addition to the beautiful views of the tree-lined beach, I really enjoyed looking at the marine wildlife in the tidepools. I saw all kinds of shellfish, crabs, fish, starfish, and interesting sea plants.
Remember: This is a conservation area, so you cannot take any of the shellfish or other wildlife with you!
How to get to Safety Cove Beach
Safety Cove Beach is located south of Port Arthur, only a few minutes away from Remarkable Cave. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive there from Hobart.
2. Wineglass Bay Beach
Wineglass Bay Beach is the most famous beach in Tasmania. And for good reason! Not only does it have white sand and clear blue water, but there is also a lookout point where you can admire the beach from high above!
This viewpoint is the reason why Wineglass Bay Beach is considered the most photographed beach in Tasmania.
Most visitors hike to the lookout point and then return to their vehicles. But I recommend walking down to the beach. When I went, I had the whole beach to myself!
How to get to Wineglass Bay Beach
In order to get to Wineglass Bay Beach, you will need to drive to Freycinet National Park near Coles Bay. After paying for the pass, you can choose to hike for about 30 minutes to see the view of the beach. If you want to go down to the beach, you will have to walk about 20 minutes downhill.
Just remember that walking uphill will usually take longer, so plan accordingly.
Alternatively, you can book a tour to Freycinet National Park and the guides will take care of all the logistics for you.
3. Hazards Beach
Hazards Beach, like Wineglass Bay Beach, is located in Freycinet National Park. It is also only accessible via hiking. This helps to keep the area clean and less overrun by people.
This west-facing beach gives you a great view of Refuge Rock and Promise Island, where little penguins come to breed.
In addition to sea birds, you may see other animals at Hazards Beach. I was lucky enough to spot a Bennetts wallaby right above the sand dunes.
(If you are interested in Tasmania’s native wildlife, I highly recommend checking out the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo!)
How to get to Hazards Beach
The good news is that Hazards Beach is only about a 20 to 30-minute walk from Wineglass Bay Beach. You can reach Freycinet National Park by driving or via tour.
However, the trail from the parking lot to Hazards Beach is about 2-2.5 hours round trip. I recommend seeing both beaches, so you should start your hike in the morning to give you plenty of time. The total hike time to see both will take at least 3-4 hours.
4. Raspins Beach
Raspins Beach is a public beach located near the village of Orford. I enjoyed this beach mostly because of the amazing views it has of Maria Island.
This beach is a great place to get together with friends or family. It has a more centralized location compared to the other beaches on this list, making it more accessible. There are also electric grills on both sides of the beach available to the public.
How to get to Raspins Beach
Raspins Beach is not too far from Hobart, only about a 1-hour drive. If you don’t feel like making the 2.5-hour drive from Hobart to the beaches near Freycinet National Park, then Raspins Beach is a good alternative.
5. Richardsons Beach
Richardsons Beach is another impressive beach that’s worth visiting. This beach has, in my opinion, the most beautiful water of any Tasmanian beach. The mountains of Freycinet National Park rising up in the distance also provide an incredible backdrop.
If you really enjoy Richardsons Beach, there are options to stay in a nearby campground. Despite this, I had the entire beach to myself.
Make sure to also check out Honeymoon Bay, only a few minutes from Richardsons Beach.
How to get to Richardsons Beach
Located in the town of Coles Bay, it is very easy to visit Richardsons Beach on your way to Freycinet National Park. It is located a couple of minutes before the entrance to the park.
Where to Stay in Tasmania
I recommend making Hobart your base when exploring Tasmania. As the capital city, it has the most options for accommodations and things to do.
The price and availability of hotels can vary dramatically depending on the time of year. Therefore, it’s best to book your hotel in advance.
The Wrest Point Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Hobart. It is located right on the water and is a great spot for a romantic getaway.
If you are a budget traveler, I recommend staying at YHA Hobart Central. I stayed at this hostel for a few nights, and it was one of the most affordable options in the city. It is also conveniently located in the Central Business District (CBD).
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
Best Time to Visit Tasmania
The most popular time to visit Tasmania is during the Summer, from December to February. That means that prices for accommodations and flights will also be higher during this time.
Winter occurs from June to August, and I would not recommend coming to Tasmania during this time unless you have a specific reason to (like to see the Southern Lights). I would recommend coming between March and May, or September and November. Prices will be lower during this time, but the weather won’t be unbearably cold.
