Bicheno is a seaside holiday town known for its laid-back lifestyle and outdoor activities. Just north of Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s stunning East Coast, the town has lots to see and do, good accommodation, excellent fishing and is close to wildlife. Since its early days, fishing has been the lifeblood of the town with catches including crayfish, abalone, scallops and trevally and for fishing enthusiasts there is excellent surf, rock, sea and estuary fishing.

Offshore, Governor Island Marine Reserve has some of the best dive spots in Australia with kelp-covered reefs and spectacular sponge gardens. You can also experience this water wonderland by kayak or glass-bottomed boat. For those interested in nature, a walkout from the main beach at low tide to Diamond Island Nature Reserve, a small low granite island, will reveal a colony of fairy penguins while at the local wildlife park there’s a wide array of fauna including Tasmanian devils.

Whalers Lookout, on the edge of town, offers good views and in October and November, you’ll find beautiful rock orchids native to the East Coast. You’ll also find the impressive Blowhole and Rocking Rock – a huge 80-tonne piece of granite naturally balanced that rocks with the movement of the tide.

Nearby is Douglas-Apsley National Park with waterfalls, tranquil lakes and river ravines. Also within easy reach is Freycinet National Park, home to Wineglass Bay – perhaps the world’s most photographed beach.

Bicheno is a 2 hr 30 min-drive (182 km) northeast of Hobart.