With its spectacular national parks, gorgeous wildlife and many maritime experiences, the East Coast Escape guides you through a temperate natural paradise.

This five-day journey takes you along the sunny, leeward side of the Island, tempting you offshore to Maria Island National Park, and overland on foot to Wineglass Bay, then back by road through the fishing towns of Bicheno and St Helens to the bright, pastel-coloured Bay of Fires.

Along the way, you will have time to wander barefoot on white sand beaches, paddle a kayak on a transparent ocean, or view wallabys in their natural habitat. Most of all, you'll experience the peace of Tasmania's most scenic coastline, whether your idea of heaven is a tent and a meal you have caught and cooked yourself, or a luxury resort with a spa, a view and silver service.

Tasmania's east coast will appeal to every one of your senses. Maria Island is rich in convict and cultural history, and wombats, wallabies, pademelons, possums and Cape Barren geese roam free among the ruins. In Swansea, you can relax over lunch or dinner. In Bicheno, you can see fairy penguins every night. On the Freycinet Peninsula you can climb or trek among granite peaks so sheer they were believed to be a chain of islands by early explorers. In St Helens, you can try fishing or head off to explore the Bay of Fires.

So peaceful and beautiful is this part of Tasmania now that it's difficult to imagine the days when shore-based whaling boomed and tin, granite, coal and cement were mined from coves and islands. Yet its scenic potential was recognised early. Maria Island became a pleasure resort in the 1880s, and in 1916 the Freycinet Peninsula was one of the first two regions of Tasmania to be declared a national park.

• Multi-day guided walks:
  • Freycinet Experience
  • Bay of Fires Walk
  • Maria Island Walk
• Kate's Berry Farm
• Bicheno Penguin Tours

• Visitor information
  
• Parks and Wildlife information
  Phone: (03) 6257 1420 (Maria Island)
  Phone: (03) 6256 7000 (Freycinet)
  

Depart Hobart and travel across the Tasman Bridge, following the signs to the Hobart International Airport and Sorell.

From Sorell, the A3 road takes you overland through typical Australian countryside to the small coastal town of Orford, where Tasmanians traditionally stop en route for good fish and chips.

Continue on to the Visitor Centre in Triabunna to purchase your ticket for the 30-minute passenger ferry ride to Maria Island National Park. The ferry departs Triabunna daily. The Visitor Centre can advise the ferry schedule (contact (03) 6257 4772). Pack carefully, as you will have to carry all your belongings for the day: there are no cars on Maria, and food and drink are unavailable for purchase - part of the charm of island life.

Native animals abound in this rugged wildlife paradise. Cape Barren Geese, possums, wallabies and rare birds are especially prolific. Near the ferry terminal, visit the remains of the Darlington convict settlement dating back to 1825. Wander among the ruins of the mess room, miller's cottage, barn, hop kiln, chapel, prison cells and religious instructor's house. Of particular note are the remnants of the private enterprise endeavours of failed 19th century Italian entrepreneur Diego Bernacchi.

While you are here, be sure to take a short walk to view the spectacular Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs.

Return to mainland Tasmania by ferry.

The drive from Orford towards the Freycinet Peninsula is indisputably one of Australia’s best stretches of coastal scenery. Take your time and savour the stunning view across the long curve of Great Oyster Bay, encompassing Maria Island and the rugged Freycinet Peninsula tipped by remote Schouten Island. The absence of man-made structures between the beach and the road adds to the unforgettable appeal of this magnificent shoreline. But heritage is never far away in Tasmania – right beside the highway is the convict-built Spikey Bridge (c 1841), famed for its unusual construction.

Sample strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and youngberries at Kate’s Berry Farm near Swansea. In addition to fresh fruit, you’ll find a range of preserves and icecream, as well as berry-and-grape table wines and Devonshire teas – all served accompanied by a great view.

Glamorgan is the oldest rural municipality in Australia, and the small seaside town of Swansea is its heart. The Community Centre’s history rooms are absorbing, while the Swansea Bark Mill and Tavern is uniquely Australian, demonstrating the historic use of wattle timber in tanning.

Wine and walnuts are the east coast’s newest industries. And you will pass hectares of walnut trees around Swansea.  To the north and south of Swansea you can sample award-winning boutique wines at the cellar doors of the beautifully situated local wineries themselves.

Gallery One Nine offers visitors a range of stylish wares including fine art, limited edition prints, objects d’art, textiles and fabrics from abroad, ceramics, furniture, antiques and jewellery. The town also has a number of good restaurants to choose from. For a breath of fresh air walk the headland track through a shearwater breeding ground.

Freycinet National Park is a spectacular natural coastal region that has become an international drawcard.

Follow the main highway turn-off to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park.

The Freycinet Marine Farm, 10 minutes from Coles Bay, is a great place to sample oysters in the raw! Take an onshore tour of the farm complete with a tasting or watch from the deck of a boat as the oysters are harvested. Either way you’re in for a superb oyster experience. Bookings are essential.

Once in Freycinet National Park (park fees apply), walk to a choice of magnificent locations. Visit the new Visitor and Interpretation Centre at the park entrance for guidance. Climb the steep trail to the Wineglass Bay Lookout, with its picture-postcard view of Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s top ten beaches. If you feel adventurous, climb over the top of the Hazards (mountains) to Hazards Beach itself (2.5 hours return). Great drives in the vicinity of the national park include Sleepy Bay on the eastern side of the peninsula, Cape Tourville Lighthouse (breathtaking view), Bluestone Bay (4WD only) and Friendly Beaches.

If walking is not your preferred pastime, there are other exciting activities you may wish to do instead. Freycinet Air provides a range of magic scenic flights taking off from the region of Freycinet and Wineglass Bay – some of the most spectacular coastal scenery Australia has to offer.

Charter boats are available for fishing, diving, or simply a pleasure trip. Freycinet Adventures offers a range of options including kayaking, abseiling and rockclimbing in this spectacular region. Simply relaxing on the deck of Freycinet Lodge and enjoying the fine food and wine of the region is also a great way to experience this beautiful part of the world.

Journey north to Bicheno, where once again beautiful coastal scenery is the order of the day.

Explore the Gulch at Bicheno, where fishing boats traditionally shelter from the wild seas. Take a ride in a glass-bottomed boat for a dolphin’s eye view of protected marine life. Keen scuba divers are devoted to this acclaimed marine park. Visit the Sea Life Centre.

The East Coast Natureworld eight kilometres north of Bicheno is a great place to see Tasmanian devils, wombats, snakes, and birdlife, many in a natural environment. It’s worth the wait to see numbers of delightful little penguins parading around their beachside burrows of an evening. You really get up close and personal on these well-run tours.

En route north detour to the Apsley River Waterhole for a refreshing dip, or just an enjoyable walk at the edge of Douglas Apsley National Park.

Alternatively, from Bicheno take a blast on the thrilling ‘Le Frog’ motorised trike ride around the twisting curves of the coast road – it’s sure to blow the cobwebs away!

Enjoy more scenic coastal vistas on the drive to Chain of Lagoons, where an inland turn-off via the winding Elephant Pass (don’t miss the renowned stopover for pancakes on this route) takes you through the rural township of St Marys before looping back to the coast.

The beachside townships of Scamander and Beaumaris are perfect excuse to take time out of the car to simply stretch out on an expanse of pristine white sand and lose yourself for a while…or catch that elusive surfing break if you are more active! Drop a line into the Scamander River if you fancy some of the best bream and trout fishing in Tasmania.

Further north is St Helens, a pretty fishing village located on the shores of Georges Bay inlet that is a great base for serious fishing out in deeper waters past the notorious sand bar. The ‘game fishing capital of Tasmania’, St Helens regularly has charter boats fishing its waters for tuna and other game fish. Family fishing is also popular in the sheltered estuaries, bays and rivers, and boats are available for hire.

St Helens History Room showcases the region’s tin mining history and Aboriginal and Chinese heritage.

Travelling just north of St Helens, take the short (12kilometre) detour to Binalong Bay. Humbug Point Reserve boasts exceptional views, walks, white beaches, swimming, fishing, diving and estuarine bird watching. Explore the Bay of Fires Conservation area, stretching from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point in the north, an idyllically beautiful part of Tasmania’s coastline. Its brilliant white beaches, emerald coloured waters, lagoons, wildflowers and lichen-covered granite rocks will dazzle your eye and soothe your soul!

Continue on to Launceston by joining the North East Trail at St Helens and heading inland.