Tasmania
Eastern Region
An area of history, picturesque beaches, rugged gorges and headlands, and tranquil forests. From the adventure of fantastic white water rafting to relaxing or swimming on a sheltered secluded beach the East Coast offers a wide variety of attractions. There are five National Parks in the region. Some of the most scenic coastal walks in Tasmania are in this area along with incredible fresh and saltwater fishing.
From Lake St Clair in central Tasmania, the Derwent River flows past Mount Field National Park, Tasmania’s oldest and most popular national park, through well-preserved New Norfolk, and towards Hobart, Tasmania’s capital. Here, the river estuary widens to form a fine harbour before flowing into the waters of Storm Bay and out to the Tasman Sea. Hobart is Australia’s most southerly city, battered by winter winds roaring in from the Antarctic, while the coastline around it is so jagged it looks as if someone has poured acid on a map of the area. 

The hook-shaped South Arm, at the entrance to Storm Bay, is echoed on a larger scale by the Tasman Peninsula, with its infamous convict settlement at Port Arthur. To the south, the two tenuously connected halves of Bruny Island protect the waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. On the mainland opposite Bruny Island is the fertile and cultivated Huon Valley, but as you head further south the coastline becomes increasingly wild: there are caves and thermal springs, the Hartz Mountain National Park inland, and the Picton River, where there’s good rafting. The last settlement in this direction is Cockle Creek, the starting point for the South Coast Track which takes you towards the South West National Park, the great mass of wilderness forming Tasmania’s southwest corner.

North of Hobart, the east coast of Tasmania is the tamest and most temperate part of the island, providing a popular cycling route past numerous sandy and deserted beaches and some lovely national parks. 

The Tasman Highway follows this coastline from Hobart to Launceston, heading inland through the northeast at St Helens, the east coast’s largest town. The northeast corner is virtually unpopulated, and the Mount William National Park here is a haven for the Forrester kangaroo. Inland are some old tin-mining towns, and superb rainforest remnants and mountain scenery at Weldborough Pass, beyond which you pass through rich agricultural and forestry country to Launceston.

For more regional information on the Eastern Region, go to:

Other Towns in the Eastern region
  • Cambell Town
    Situated 68km south-east of Launceston, Cambletown was established in the 1820's as one of a chain of garrison stations between Hobart and Launceston. The town has grown into a prosperous farming centre with wool, beef cattle and timber milling being the main industries. There are many building of historic interest dating back to the 1830's.
  • Oatlands
    An historic town which has changed little from the 1830's, Oatland has the largest collection of sandstone buildings of a village situation in Australia, and is reputed to have the largest collection of pre 1837 buildings in Australia. The town was established as a military garrison in 1827 and the Court House, Officer's Quarters, gaol building, commissariat store and watch house still survive from this period.
  • Rossarden
    Rossarden is a village built mainly for the workers of the wolfram mine. The road from Avoca through Rossarden to Fingal offers spectacular mountain scenery as it follows the southern slopes of Ben Lomond.
  • Triabunna
    A small fishing town, with a history as a whaling station early last century, Triabunna is an administrative and service centre for the surrounding area. Attractions include many water sports, fishing and beautiful coastal reserves and walks.

 
Climate
The East Coast of Tasmania enjoys one of the most temperate climates in Australia, due to its sheltered location.

Maps
wpe181.jpg (175249 bytes) Tasmania, incl. Flinders and King island

wpe8A.jpg (303685 bytes) Eastern Tasmania, incl Hobart and  Port Arthur