What’s special about Swansea?

• It is ideal for fishing, swimming and diving, or relaxing on the beach.
• Home to some fascinating historic buildings.

Take a self-guided historic walk of Swansea passed Schouten House, Meredith House and Morris's General Store. You can learn about leather staining at the Swansea Bark Mill and Tavern. Look out for the quirky profile of Spiky Bridge, just outside town.

Sample Swansea's fresh harvests from land and sea, part of the east coast experience. Enjoy wine-tasting at the Wine and Wool Centre, then indulge in some of the area's other local produce: oysters, walnuts, olives and, of course, fish.

Wander the many beaches and bays in and around Swansea, and stop by lookouts over picturesque coastline. Shearwater (mutton bird) colonies are also common in the area. Swansea has a population of 530, housed in colonial buildings, contemporary homes and classic beachside shacks.

Swansea enjoys temperate weather all year round, with an average maximum of 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in January and 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) in June.

More things to do:

Duncombes Lookout
East coast wineries
Kate’s Berry Farm
Fishing and boating

The story of Swansea:

Swansea was first explored by Captain Cox in 1798 and was settled as a military post in 1827. Local Aboriginal people moved further inland as European whalers exploited the coast. Originally known as Great Swanport, Swansea was firstly established as a garrison and also had a convict station.

Travel directions:

Swansea is about 90-minutes’ drive (134 kilometres/83.7 miles) from Hobart and approximately the same driving distance from Launceston (135 kilometres/84.3 miles).