Recherche Bay, in the far south-east of Tasmania, is a broad bay of deep blue and turquoise water fringed by sweeping white-sand beaches and thick forest.

A section of its south-eastern foreshore is part of the Southwest National Park, but until recently a densely wooded peninsula in the north-east of the bay was threatened with logging that would have changed the character of the area profoundly. This 143-hectare (353-acre) area, which includes remnants of a French garden established by members of Bruni D'Entrecasteaux's 1792 expedition, has now been protected, with the assistance of a generous donation and loan from Dick and Pip Smith. It is managed by the not-for-profit Tasmanian Land Conservancy.

The peninsula can only be reached by boat. While it is possible to disembark at a small beach, there are no established trails through the extremely thick forest. The area really is best appreciated from the water, aboard a cruise or from your kayak.

Archaeological work is being undertaken by French and Australian teams, and it is hoped that an interpretation centre will one day be established at Moss Glen.

Recherche Bay is a popular camping destination for Tasmanians, particularly during school holidays. It's also the start of the South Coast Track - one of Tasmania's great multi-day bushwalks.

See the Southwest National Park section for details of road access to Recherche Bay.

The forested peninsula containing the remnants of the historic French garden can only be reached by water. Hobart Cruises sometimes runs cruises from Hobart, or you can paddle across from Cockle Creek or Moss Glen.