Tasmania's Top Places To Take A Swim

Don’t let a two hour hike put you off from seeing this secluded clam-shaped bay touted as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Located deep within Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay is a sheltered beach covered in white sand fringed by vibrant turquoise waters. The white sand contrasts beautifully with the pink granite peaks known as The Hazards which guard the peninsula at the northern end of the beach.

Getting to this slice of secluded paradise isn’t easy. It’s a 2 hour drive from Launceston or 3 hour trip from Hobart followed by a two hour walk from the entrance of Freycinet National Park. You’ll be rewarded with a beach that despite its growing popularity remains relatively isolated and untouched.

Clearly Tasmanians like to name their beaches to confuse visitors. Don’t be put off by the name, Boat Harbour Beach is not full of boats bouncing against a marine wharf floating in an oil slicked ocean. It’s a beautiful coastal seaside community, with a beach that says ‘walk, swim, relax, eat a fish burger!’ Sitting between two rocky headlands the swimming is consistently good, and safe, plus there are rock pools to entertain small and big people. And because there are no boats causing noise pollution, dolphins, whales and seals sometimes swim in to join the swimmers. Boat Harbour is a 30 minute drive from Burnie.

When the heat is beating down on the pavements of Launceston’s city centre, making everyone and everything melt, there is cool respite in a gorge only fifteen minute’s walk away. Cataract Gorge, (as in cascading large waterfall not cloudy eyesight) is known as ‘The Gorge’ to locals and has a few options to cool down. There’s a swimming pool on the Southern side, plus the South Esk River to swim in. Or, if you fancy working up to a dip, walk across the original ford over the river and follow the trail up to the Cliff Gardens full of exoitc plants and peacocks, and then take the chair lift back. There’s also a kiosk, loads of trails and wildlife, and facilities.

A stunning beach with clean white sand, and clear water, with spectacular granite rocks tinged with orange lichen you can climb on top of? If this sounds good that’s because it is. The Bay of Fires has made it to the top of many popularity travel lists. North of St Helens, this protected east coast Conservation Area runs from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north, and was named ‘Bay of Fires’ because of all the Aboriginal fires seen along the coastline back in 1773 by explorer Captain Tobias Furneaux. There are no fires now. Just lots of fun. The swimming is easy and relaxing and the sea life is fantastic– from whales, seals and sea eagles to loads of busy small fish in sheltered coves and pools.

The Bay of Fires Conservation Area has beach-side camping with elevated sites, amongst acacia trees, with drop dead gorgeous coastal views. On summer weekends keep an eye out for the Pie-O-matic SupernoVan.

Just like Greenland is not very green (it’s white and icy), most beaches called ‘Green’ are usually quite blue. Such is Greens Beach in Tasmania. Sitting at the mouth of the Tamar River (and one hour from Launceston), Greens is a total crowd pleaser with its safe swimming, cool blue ocean, long curved arc of golden sand and scenic look out. The beach is also the way into Narawntapu National Park plus there’s a campsite, kiosk, tennis court and all the amenities you need for a good day out.