I've lived in Tasmania for 5+ years though I moved to Hobart back in October 2021 (in the middle of the dreaded pandemic). Since I've moved to "the big smoke", I've hardly gone back to visit a place that I associate with so many wonderful memories – Freycinet and the beautiful coast line stretching all the way to "The Gardens".
Being in Hobart has its perks – you don’t have to drive 2½ hours to buy groceries or watch a movie. Hobart itself is a beautiful large town (I may be put through the trenches for saying that). Even though it is our capital city (and probably my favourite city), it just has a large town vibe, which was its biggest appeal when I moved here.
East Coast of Tasmania (Credit: Adi Munshi)
However, two years on, I'm looking back at all the wonderful memories including the guests I met at Saffire Freycinet, the trails hiked, the squeaky white sand beaches, wineries and vineyards, and I do miss it all. It's a different lifestyle and probably not for everyone as being on the coast does come with its own complexities of isolation, lack of medical facilities, stores and movie theaters, limited live entertainment (you are your own entertainment).
One of my favourite things was to simply get into my car and drive North from the Coles Bay area. You drive past some absolutely incredible and desolate beaches such as Denison, Seymour and my favourite Jeanneret in the Bay of Fires region.
My personal East Coast foodie tips:
- Mexican toastie at the Sandbar, Bicheno (coffee is great too)
- Warm beverage at Swims in Scamander (seasonal so maybe closed)
- Morning pastries at Little Bay Patisserie
- More sweet treats at the Freycinet Coast Patisserie (may as well accompany them with a glass of vino at Craigie Knowe)
The list is endless actually and restaurants come and go. What will last are the East Coast memories we take with us, especially when we tread lightly - like the stunning turquoise waters, the time when you screamed for your life thanks to the cute little Bennetts Wallaby that just rocked up when running the Hazards Loop trail in Freycinet National Park, the waddling echidnas on Coles Bay Road and the ease in shooting an aurora with bioluminescent waters and the Hazards as the backdrop to your photo.
I will always treasure my time in Coles Bay and I think it's about time I returned.
To learn more about Tassie's East Coast, feel free to reach out to us via email at bookings@hobarttravelcentre.com.au or via phone on 03 6238 4222.
Adi Munshi - Manager
Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre