Secrets of Tasmania’s East Coast: Hidden Gems You Can’t Miss

Unlock the magic of Tasmania’s East Coast with a local’s playbook—and an app that does the guiding for you.

Tasmania’s East Coast is like a well-kept secret—a dazzling mix of turquoise waters, wild bushland, and quirky history. But let’s face it: the best treasures aren’t always on the brochures. That’s where Take A Local swoops in. Think of it as your pocket-sized Tasmanian mate, whispering stories, directions, and “don’t-miss-this” tips as you explore. With GPS-triggered audio, the app turns your road trip into a guided adventure. Ready to dive into the East Coast’s hidden highlights? Buckle up!

Odd Hill Names: Quirky Peaks with Even Quirkier Stories

Ever driven past a hill called “Stinky Bay Hill” or “Misery Hill” and wondered, What’s the deal? Tasmania’s East Coast is dotted with oddly named landmarks that sound like rejected Harry Potter spells. Local legends say some names stem from grumpy surveyors, cheeky settlers, or just a really bad day. Some of our favourites in the “odd name” department include Doo Town, Break-Me-Neck Hill, Elephant Pass, Milkshake Hills and Egg & Bacon Bay.

Most people agree that the bays’ wine glass shape inspired Wineglass Bay’s name. This could be partially accurate, but the wine glass wasn’t for white wine. As a result of whaling activities, the water in the bay and the now pure white sand would become crimson from whale blood and blubber, giving it the look of red wine. The name Wineglass Bay was born! 

The Take a Local app pinpoints each name and dishes out the backstory—no Googling required.

Tasmanian Bushland Gardens: Where Nature Shows Off

Swap crowded trails for the serene Tasmanian Bushland Gardens just south of Orford. This underrated gem is a living scrapbook of native flora. Wander among towering eucalyptus, delicate orchids, and banksias that look like they’ve been sprinkled with fairy dust.

Pro tip: Visit in spring for a confetti of wildflowers and keep an eye out for a particularly steely dinosaur! 

The Lisdillon Saltworks: History You Can Taste

Hidden near the south of Swansea, the Lisdillon Saltworks is a relic of Tasmania’s 19th-century salt industry. Crumbling stone walls and sun-bleached ruins tell the story of a time when salt was worth its weight in… well, salt.

Views of Great Oyster Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula welcome tourists to Lisdillon from expansive angles. Equally, stunning views are accessible from Saltworks Beach back to Little Swanport River’s mouth. Look to the rocky headland where, in days past, a windmill would have been seen raising water from the sea to generate the salt. 

Enter the Saltworks to find a noteworthy element of Australia’s industrial legacy and East Coast Tasmania’s past. Peer into evaporation ponds where seawater transformed into glistening crystals. With Take A Local, you’ll hear tales of the workers who toiled here and other interesting titbits.

Freycinet National Park: Beyond Wineglass Bay

Everyone raves about Wineglass Bay, but Freycinet’s real magic lies off the beaten track. Sneak away to Hazards Beach for a quieter slice of paradise, or tackle the Mt Amos hike if you’re craving Insta-fame views (and a thigh burn).

Freycinet Lodge: Glamping with a Side of Gourmet

After a day of exploring, collapse into luxury at Freycinet Lodge. These eco-cabins are nestled in the bush like stylish treehouses. Order a plate of fresh oysters at the restaurant, then soak in your private deck’s hot tub as wallabies graze nearby.

Find your solitude tucked in Freycinet National Park. With the Hazards mountain range in the background and a view of Great Oyster Bay’s azure seas, time seems to stop, and your worries evaporate as soon as you get there.

Cape Tourville Lighthouse: Where the Ocean Steals the Show

With amazing coastal views of Freycinet National Park and a well-constructed walkway, this easy walk is a terrific way for everyone to explore Freycinet. The elevated track revolves around the automated lighthouse at Cape Tourville. 

The track is spacious, with flat surfaces and moderately graded slopes. Much of the walk is on a raised boardwalk which, at times, leads you right to the cliff edge, affording excellent vistas. Sights include the Hazards, Wineglass Bay and neighbouring offshore rocks known as The Nuggets.

The boardwalk loop is short but mighty—keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and seabirds diving like Olympic athletes.

Whalers Lookout: A Nod to Tasmania’s Salty Past

Perched above Bicheno, Whalers Lookout offers more than just ocean panoramas. This spot was once a whale-watching post for 19th-century hunters. Today, it’s a peaceful place to ponder Tasmania’s complex history—and snap a selfie high above Waubs Harbour.

You’ll have sweeping views of the town and its glittering crescent-shaped harbour. It’s a terrific opportunity to get to know the area as soon as you arrive in Bicheno. The walk is difficult yet family-friendly, and it makes for an exceptional picnic site.

East Coast Natureworld: Cuddle a Devil (Sort Of)

Meet Tasmania’s famous furry locals at East Coast Natureworld near Bicheno. This wildlife sanctuary is home to waddling wombats, hyperactive devils, and kangaroos and wallabies that will literally eat out of the palm of your hand! Time your visit for feeding sessions, and watch Tasmanian devils turn into popcorn machines of chaos.

East Coast Natureworld is only accessible by car, as it is located on the Tasman Highway and there is little public transportation available. They’re open from 9:30 am till 3 pm in winter.

St Helens Mountain Bike Park: Two Wheels, One Epic Playground

Thrill-seekers, meet your Eden. St Helens Mountain Bike Park serves up 50km of trails, from breezy coastal rides to rooty descents that’ll test your brakes (and bravery). The Bay of Fires Trail is a crowd favorite—imagine cruising through red lichen-draped boulders with the ocean as your soundtrack.

Starting high up on the Blue Tier in sub-alpine terrain you are soon treated to unlimited vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges and magnificent shoreline. It’s hard to keep your eyes on the trail as you contour and climb amid monolith granite rocks and suddenly catch vistas of the world-renowned Bay of Fires. The final descent dashes across infinite ridgelines before delivering you to the beautiful white sands of Swimcart beach.

Take A Local will direct you to the parks Trail Head where you can choose to keep your wheels in the air or firmly planted in the dirt!

Wrap-Up: Let the App Do the Talking

Tasmania’s East Coast is a wonderland of hidden beaches, oddball history, and wildlife encounters. But why stress about missing the good stuff? With Take A Local, you’ll unlock stories, directions, and local hacks without cracking open a map. Whether you’re decoding hill names or hunting for secret sunset spots, the app turns every detour into a discovery.

So download the Take A Local app, purchase the East Coast Crawl tour at only AUD 0.99 and hit the road. Let Tassie’s East Coast surprise you. After all, the best adventures are the ones you don’t see coming. 

Ready to explore? The Take A Local app is available on iOS and Android. Just don’t blame us if you start planning your next trip before this one’s over.