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Tasmania (Eastern Region) |
| St.Helens | |
| ST HELENS is the largest town on the east coast, with a population of 800 swelling to over 8 000 during the summer holidays. It is the last town before the Tasman Highway turns west and inland. It’s situated on Georges Bay, a long, narrow bay with two encircling arms, and although both the town and bay are fairly dull, the surrounding coastline has plenty of interest. Local information is available from the St Helens History Room, at 55 Cecilia St opposite the post office (Mon–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat 9am–noon; $4; tel 03/6376 1744), which provides maps and gives information about walks as well as details of the area’s mining history. | |
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southern arm of Georges Bay is the site of St Helens Point Recreation
Area, where there’s a large lagoon – Diana’s Basin – which the
highway skirts as it enters town. On the ocean side the Peron sand
dunes stretch for several kilometres, and at the point there’s good
surfing at Beer Barrel Beach. Binalong Bay, 10km north of
Georges Bay, has a beach of bright sugary sand and is an easy bike ride
away, with only a couple of small climbs. It’s another popular surf spot
(with a strong current, so beware); there’s safer swimming in the large
lagoon tucked behind, where people boat and waterski. You can camp
here, as well as further along at the Bay of Fires Coastal Reserve.
To get to the southern half of Mount William National Park take the
road running inland north for 54km from St Helens to the pink granite
tower of the Eddystone Lighthouse. The northern end of the park is reached
via Gladstone, by taking an unsealed track to Great Musselroe Bay,
where there’s a free basic campsite. There are no real tracks
within the park itself, but plenty of beach and headland walking, and lots
of Forrester kangaroos.
Practicalities |
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| There’s
a good range of accommodation to choose from in town. The Bayside
Inn, at 2 Cecilia St, is a modern hotel/motel with a restaurant, pool
and drive-in bottle shop. Tidal Water, facing Georges Bay at 2
Jason St (tel 03/6376 1100; dinner only, closed Sun) is an award-winning restaurant
serving Asian-influenced contemporary cuisine. St Helens’ bank is
Westpac at 41 Cecilia St (tel 03/6376 1464).
Events |
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