East Coast Attractions
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The East Coast region features a variety of attractions.
Bicheno, Australia
On the northeastern coast of Tasmania is the old fishing port of Bicheno (pop. 700), which now attracts many holidaymakers with its beautiful beaches and good fishing. Originally Bicheno was a whaling station established about 1803. In the mid 19th C coal was shipped from here. Along with tourism, cray fishing is a major source of income.7km north is the East Coast Bird Life and Animal Park. From the Twin Hills there are fine views.There is a picturesque foreshore walkway from Redbill Point, north of the town, to the Blowhole, to the south.
Douglas-Apsley National Park
16,080ha.The Douglas-Apsley National Park, established in 1990, lies inland from the northeast coast of Tasmania. It is an almost untouched area of dry sclerophyll (hard-leaved) forest, forest-covered ridges and patches of rain forest, with impressive waterfalls and wild gorges. Also very beautiful, but difficult to access, are the valleys of the Apsley River and Douglas River. There are spectacular views on the rugged northeast coast, shaped by the surf of the Tasman Sea.
Freycinet Peninsula
The Freycinet Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania protects Great Oyster Bay from the heavy surf of the Tasman Sea. With its variety of scenery and relatively safe beaches (e.g. Nine Mile Beach) this quiet bay has long attracted holidaymakers and now has an excellent tourist infrastructure (motels, caravan/camping parks, beach facilities, walking trails).
Freycinet National Park
100 sq.km.Freycinet National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in Australia. Its most notable features are the Hazards, three striking red granite crags rising out of the sea; Wineglass Bay, with its high waves; and Mount Freycinet (614m). Also within the park is Schouten Island, which lies off the peninsula to the south.
Coles Bay
At the entrance to the Freycinet National Park is the little holiday resort of Coles Bay, whose main attraction is its beautiful beaches. It is also a good base for walks and climbs in the hills.
Maria Island National Park
Maria Island was originally a penal colony and now a national park.The sheltered beaches on the west coast of the island (Mercury Passage) are popular with swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers. The hills rise sharply up from the coast, and on the summits it can be disagreeably cool. The hillsides are covered with dry eucalyptus forest, and there are expanses of heathland and depressions full of ferns. There is a rich fauna, including the rare Cape Barren geese, Forester kangaroos and even wallabies. On Mount Maria (709m) there are beautiful walking trails and good climbing routes. From the tops of the hills there are fine views of the island and the east coast of Tasmania. There are interesting caves in the rock faces with ancient marine sediments.
Darlington
There are remains of the penal village to which prisoners convicted of serious offences and particularly troublesome convicts were sent before the establishment of the penal colony of Port Arthur. Later this became a probation center. No further convicts were sent to Maria Island after the middle of the 19th C.A few ruined buildings dating from around 1880 are relics of 19th C attempts to develop silk production and cement manufacture on the island.
Swansea, Australia
Swansea (pop. 210) is an old settlement which, in the 19th C, gained importance as the administrative center of Glamorgan, the oldest rural district in Australia.On Franklin Street stands Morris' General Store. This three-story building dates from 1838 and contains a small museum. Bark Mill, built in the 1870s, houses the East Coast Museum. Also of interest is the restored bark-grinding mill, which once produced tannin for use in preparing leather. In the old schoolhouse dating from 1869 can be seen memorabilia from the pioneering days.
Surroundings
A number of towns with interesting attractions are near Swansea.
Nine Mile Beach
Nine Mile Beach is very popular with holidaymakers and water sports enthusiasts.
Spiky Bridge
Spiky Bridge sits along the east coast. Its unique bridge is edged with pointed stones to prevent cattle from falling off.From the coast there is a fine view of the Freycinet Peninsusla.
Fingal, Australia
Fingal (pop. 450) lies in the beautiful Esk Valley. To the northwest of the little town, the center of a coal-mining area, is Ben Lomond National Park (Launceston). The first considerable finds of gold in Tasmania were made near here in 1852.Fingal has two fine 19th C houses, Malahide and Killymoon, and two churches, St Peter's and St Joseph's (RC). The Fingal Hotel was built during the convict period. Around Fingal is the largest coalfield in Tasmania.
Triabunna, Australia
The old garrison town and whaling station of Triabunna (pop. 1000) is now a fishing port. Thanks to its good bathing beaches and the excellent angling in the surrounding area it has developed in recent years into a holiday resort.
Surroundings
A variety of attractions lay in the surroundings of Triabunna.
Buckland
The principal sight of the little township of Buckland is the church of St John the Baptist (1846), which has a fine 14th C stained glass window depicting scenes from the life of the Baptist. The window came from Battle Abbey, near Hastings, which was destroyed by Cromwell in the 17th C; it was preserved from destruction and two centuries later was presented to Buckland by the Marquess of Salisbury. The Old Buckland Inn dates from the mid 19th C.
Orford
Orford (pop. 500) is a small holiday resort with excellent facilities for water sports, fishing, walking and golf.
