There’s something about the Great Eastern Drive on Tasmania’s East Coast that gets inside your soul and changes you for the better. Taking time to explore this incredibly scenic part of the world is much more than just another holiday. It’s an opportunity to stop, take a deep breath and let the natural beauty and relaxed pace transform you.
When you take a road trip on the Great Eastern Drive, you embark on an experience that includes 176 kilometres of stunning coastline, incredible national parks, world-famous beaches, award-winning walks, and views that will take your breath away. Add to this vibrant towns, lush vineyards, world-class mountain bike trails, fantastic food and fresh produce, and you have all the ingredients for the perfect holiday.
The Great Eastern Drive extends between Orford and St Helens on Tasmania’s east coast. At around 220 kilometres, this is a road trip that can be experienced in a weekend, a week, or longer. The more time you spend here, the more you will discover and enjoy, so take your time, just stop…and wander.
You can start your Great Eastern Drive road trip from St Helens in the north, or Orford in the south. Follow the road’s gentle curves through east coast wine country, beach towns, forests, farmland and the open coast. Stop off along the way at the world’s best beaches, visit cellar doors to taste award-winning cool climate wines, taste the region’s wonderful produce and seafood and explore its famous national parks. Travel inland to explore valleys, waterfalls and mountains and drink in the endless views of the vast, blue ocean as you journey along the coast.
There are all kinds of ways for you to experience your Great Eastern Drive road trip. We’ve put together some suggestions for your journey here, with Orford as the starting point. But, if you’re in the north of the state you can easily experience the same trip in reverse, starting in St Helens.
Orford In Orford, you’ll experience your first taste of beautiful east coast beaches, including Raspins, Millingtons, Spring and Rheban. Take a stroll or swim or enjoy some of the great walks from Orford, including the coastal walk between Shelley Beach…
Sample a cellar door You’ll find some of the best vineyards of the Great Eastern Wine Drive between Orford and Priory. Visit cellar doors at Darlington Vineyard, Boomer Creek Vineyard, Milton Vineyard, Gala Estate, Craigie Knowe, Spring Vale Vineyard, Devil’s…
The coastline between Bicheno and Scamander is known as the Surf Coast, and the beaches here offer surfers reliable swells year round, with crystal clear waves rolling into smooth white sand just about everywhere you look. You’ll find surf shops…
Take the short drive north from Scamander to reach St Helens. This area is a hub for fishing charters and is the perfect place try your hand at deep sea or game fishing. You’ll find delicious fresh seafood at the…
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There’s something about the Great Eastern Drive on Tasmania’s East Coast that gets inside your soul and changes you for the better. Taking time to explore this incredibly scenic part of the world is much more than just another holiday.…
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