Blessed with some of the coast’s longest and prettiest beaches, Swansea is a true beachside holiday town. Established in the 1820s as Waterloo Point, it is one of Tasmania’s oldest towns, with rich history ready for you to explore.
Heritage, coastline, vineyards, and stunning sunsets?
It must be Swansea!
Leave the car behind and take a walk around town to admire the fine examples of colonial architecture along the self-guided walk through the town (taking time to browse the town’s shops and galleries along the way), or visit the East Coast Heritage Museum at the Visitor Information Centre. Drop in to The Bark Mill Tavern, Bakery and Museum for lunch and a deeper insight into local history.
If you prefer pedalling to walking, Swansea Cycle Tours provide a unique way to explore the farms, back roads, vineyards and beaches of Swansea by bike. You may discover the fascinating Spiky Bridge—made by convicts from field stones laid without mortar or cement in the mid 19th Century with a unique ‘spiky’ design.
Take a swim or walk at one of the great local beaches—Jubilee, Nine Mile, Kelvedon or Spiky—or drop your line in Great Oyster Bay to catch your supper. You can also whet your appetite at one of Swansea’s great cafés or restaurants, treat your palate to locally grown berries and hand made chocolates at Kate’s Berry Farm or visit a local winery to sample fine, cool-climate east coast wines. Try Milton Vineyard, Spring Vale Vineyard or Craigie Knowe Vineyard.
Getting to Swansea
Swansea is 1hr and 46min from both Hobart and Launceston
Swansea must do’s
- Pick up the Swansea Heritage Walk booklet from the Heritage Museum and Visitor Centre for self-guided walks through the town.
- Watch the sunrise over The Hazards Mountains.
- Walk the loontitetermairrelehoiner track (pronounced loon-tite-ter-mair-re-le-hoin-er), named after the local Aboriginal people, from Waterloo to Schouten Beach with stunning views.
- Explore Nine Mile Beach from Sandy Point Bagot to Meredith River with views across Great Oyster Bay to Schouten Island and Freycinet Peninsula.
- Pack a picnic dinner of fine east coast food and wine and enjoy the stunning vistas from almost any point on Swansea’s coastline.
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