Road trips are for relaxing, and where better than on a beach? Keep reading to find the best beaches in Tasmania, and everything you need to know on how to get there!
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Australia is famous for its laid-back ‘surfie’ image, but for some reason everyone thinks the best beaches are found at the Gold Coast, Byron Bay or WA.
They are nice, but when you see the pure, white sands and azure blue water of Tasmania, you’ll quickly see why we think Tasmania beaches are the best in Australia!
From the sun-drenched East Coast, to the West Coast Wilds. From the off-shore islands of the North West to the most southerly point in Australia – these are the 15 best Tasmania beaches that you need to experience on your Tassie road trip.
But before we start we’ve got a little surprise for you.
Instead of telling you about the beaches that we like the most, in this article we thought we’d do things a little differently and ask our readers and Tassie road trippers to tell us about their favourite beach in Tasmania.
If you like what you see and would like to follow along on their travels around Australia and the world, visit their website or Facebook page for all their latest updates 👍
Please remember that some of the beaches we show you here are inside National Parks, and you will need a Parks Pass to visit (click here to get one).
Now, let’s get this beach party started!
Map of the best beaches in Tasmania
It’s a pretty small island, but to help your road trip planning we thought we’d put together this map of all the beaches in Tasmania.
Taylors Beach (Bay of Fires)
Contributed by Joshua from Australian Dad
The Bay of Fires is not just one of the most beautiful and best beaches in Tasmania, but in the world! Located on the north east coast of Tasmania, this conservation area is isolated enough to keep its pristine beauty and the crowds away, while being easily accessible as part of your Tasmanian adventure.
The beaches – like Taylor’s Beach – are famous for the contrast between its bright orange, lichen covered boulders with the white powdery sand and crystal clear, aqua water. It’s a truly beautiful site with no rubbish or signs of people anywhere nearby.
Along the bay, there are many rock gullies which create little private beaches and inlets as well as big ones to explore. Even at peak times there aren’t huge crowds and it’s easy to feel like you have the beach to yourself.
Access: The best way to access Taylor’s beach and the Bay of Fires is with your own car. It is about a 2hr 30min drive from Launceston Airport. Once you have made it to the area, there are many access points to the beach which are easy to find.
😎 Road Trip Tip
It is possible to camp in some areas right by the beach. This may be the best and most beautiful free accommodation in the world!
Stumpy's Bay (Mt William NP)
Contributed by Antonette from We12travel
One of the best-kept secrets in Tasmania is definitely Mount William National Park. Located in the north east of the island, it receives little visitors and with a bit of luck you’ll have the campsite all to yourself.
Mount William National Park is known for two things: the crazy number of kangaroos that live there (including the protected eastern grey kangaroo), and its stunning white sand beaches. Because of its location, these north-east Tasmania beaches are rugged and wild and you can take endless walks here without seeing a single person.
Access: A car or campervan is necessary, and you’ll need to make sure your car is insured to drive on unsealed roads (or it may not be covered by your insurance), as beach access is only possible by gravel roads.
😎 Road Trip Tip
While you’re in Tasmania, make sure to check out the Cape Hauy walk on the Tasman Peninsula (near Port Arthur). This half day hike will lead you to some of the most stunning views of the island!
Wineglass Bay (Freycinet NP)
Contributed by Cat from Walk My World
Wineglass Bay is a beach that you have to see at least once in your lifetime – many say it’s the best beach in Tasmania!
Based in the stunning Freycinet National Park, it’s the park’s premier attraction and with dazzlingly white sand and turquoise water is something you’d associate more with a tropical island than one of the last land masses before Antarctica!
The beach – which cannot be accessed by car – feels wild, and untouched. You’d expect such a beautiful spot to be hugely busy, but even in the middle of the day during the Christmas holidays we only had to share it with a handful of people. Just walk a little way along the sand and you’ll definitely feel like you have this patch of paradise all to yourself.
If you’re a photography lover we recommend coming for sunrise, the light is absolutely beautiful, seen either from the beach itself, Wineglass Bay Lookout or Mount Amos.
It feels a million miles from civilisation, and you can even camp close to the beach if you can’t drag yourself away.
Access: The easiest way to access Wineglass Bay is to take a boat to the beach, but the more adventurous can walk. The hike which includes a stunning viewpoint from high above the beach is 4km return – be prepared for a steep uphill climb on the way back!
😎 Road Trip Tip
A very popular way to see Wineglass Bay is by scenic seaplane (check prices), which gives you an incredible perspective and showcases the sweeping curve which makes it look like a wineglass.
If that isn’t adventurous enough, try tackling the climb to the top of Mount Amos for one of the best views in the whole of Australia.
Spiky Beach Tasmania (Swansea)
Contributed by Kerry from the Lap of Tasmania Facebook Group
On the East Coast Drive adjacent to the popular ‘Spiky Bridge’ is the lesser known ‘Spiky Beach’.
Although not a large beach, the views across to Freycinet National Park are spectacular.
On my visit to Spiky Beach Tasmania I was greeted with the roar of raging seas and huge waves crashing against the dolerite cliffs that surround the 100m long beach. A crop of rocks add to the ruggedness of the scenery & landscape.
There is a sense of solitude here despite the passing traffic above. A place to collect your thoughts or contemplate where the next stop will be on your journey.
Access: There is a gravel car park where you can easily park your car, bike or van, and it is only a short moderate walk down to beach.
😎 Road Trip Tip
It is a visually beautiful beach, but swimming is not recommended as there is a moderate hazard warning from Surf Life saving. Paddling is fine though 🌞
Crescent Beach (Port Arthur beaches)
Contributed by Greg from Tasmania Pics.
Tucked between Remarkable Cave and Port Arthur, the Crescent Bay and Mount Brown walking track plays host to the most spectacular beach on the Tasman Peninsula – Crescent Bay beach.
In addition to enormous dunes (80 metres plus) and the beautiful crystal waters of Crescent Bay, the hike to the summit of Mount Brown offers hikers vast panoramic views of the peninsula’s rugged coastline.
Each section can be walked individually, or together totaling 8km and roughly 4 hours total, excluding breaks.
Access: Park at the Remarkable Cave car park. The turnoff to the car park is on the left just past the entrance to Port Arthur. The signed start of the Crescent Bay walk is just 20 metres back from the car park.
😎 Road Trip Tip
Take your time and look out for cute little echidnas – especially near Mt Brown.
Richardson's Beach (Freycinet NP)
Contributed by Keziah from So Today We Found
We found Richardson’s Beach completely by chance – it was next to the only campsite open in Freycinet National Park in winter 😀
We were two of about seven other people crazy enough to brave camping in a Tassie winter, but that made it all the more special.
The beach itself is pretty long, and when the tide is in it can be very narrow. However, the views out across Coles Bay and Honeymoon Bay are second to none. On a calm day, the water is like a mirror, reflecting the nearby peaks of The Hazards, and it looks as though the sea goes on forever. We were lucky enough to see a pair of seals playing just offshore too, as the sun went down and turned the mountain tops orange.
Access: There are various signposted access paths from the road into the National Park, but from the campsites it’s fairly obvious! Some of the tent sites go straight down to the sand.
😎 Road Trip Tip
Don’t be put off by autumn or winter visits. Having it relatively empty and quiet made it feel all the more magical. And, if it’s wet, there is a pub within a 20 minute walk anyway!
Snug Beach (Southern Tasmania)
Contributed by Steve and Natalie from Curious Campers
Snug beach is a lovely, family friendly spot, and it is easily one of the best beaches near Hobart. It’s a long, narrow beach with plenty of sand for making sandcastles. Thanks to the shelter provided by nearby Bruny Island, there are no big waves making it a safe place to swim.
There are grassed picnic and BBQ areas directly behind the beach. The local supermarket is half a kilometre up the road so grab some supplies and you could easily set up for the day. Look out for the scarlet robins that dart around the picnic area. Their bright red chests are spectacular!
The Snug River runs out at the northern end of the beach. It’s no raging torrent so offers another safe area for getting wet. If you have a kayak or canoe, the beachfront and river are perfect for a paddle.
There are tall trees right on the foreshore so finding a bit of shade isn’t a problem. Also adjacent to the beach is a playground – including a cool flying fox – and an oval.
Access: The township of Snug is 30 minutes south of Hobart. Take the Southern Outlet from Hobart and follow the signs to the Bruny Island ferry. You will eventually find yourself on the Channel Highway and Snug is sign posted from there. Once you get to Snug, keep an eye out for Beach Road.
😎 Road Trip Tip
Across the bay you can see Bruny Island, and the ferry to Bruny is only 15 minutes down the road in Kettering.
Whether you’re into gourmet food trails, hiking around rugged coastline or relaxing on beautiful beaches, Bruny Island is worth checking out!
More beautiful Tasmania beaches
When it comes to amazing beaches in Tasmania, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some other must-see beaches in Tasmania where you can feel the sand between your toes…
Home Beach (Three Hummock Island) – One of Tasmania’s best kept secrets, Three Hummock Island in far North West Tasmania is an oasis of tranquility and beauty. There are many beaches to explore, and Home Beach is one of the best. Here’s how to get to Three Hummock Island.
South Cape Bay (Southern Tasmania) – Drive as far south as is physically possible, then enjoy a 2hr hike across the buttongrass plains from Cockle Creek to the wild, wide sands of South Cape Bay and Lion Rock. If you squint really hard, you might even spy Antarctica 😆
Boat Harbour Beach (Cradle Coast) – With some of the whitest sand to be found anywhere in Australia – no joke – Boat Harbour Beach is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Friendly Beaches – Wineglass Bay is the big attraction at Freycinet, but just a little further up the coast are the sprawling sands and blue waters of Friendly Beaches. Pack some nibbles and a rug and find your own secluded spot for the perfect picnic.
Maria Island (East Coast) – Maria Island is one of our favourite places in Tasmania, and it’s also one of the ‘Big 12’ must-see destinations. There are plenty of pretty little beaches scattered around the island (and wombats and Tassie Devils) and you’re just about guaranteed to have it all to yourself!
Bathurst Harbour (Southern Tasmania) – Deep in Tasmania’s UNESCO South West World Heritage Area are the tannin-stained sands and pristine shores of Bathurst Harbour. Melaleuca is where your plane will land, and from there we recommend doing a tour of the harbour by boat to experience this unique part of the world.
Combine it all in this fantastic day tour (use my LAPOFTAS code to SAVE 10%).
Ocean Beach (West Coast) – Strahan has so many options for road trippers, and one of its best is Ocean Beach. It is a beach of many moods – sometimes pretty as a picture, and other times as though hell itself had opened it’s gates. And that’s why we love it!
Kingston Beach (Hobart) – Just a short drive from central Hobart is the wonderful Kingston Beach, rated by many as one of the best beaches in Hobart. Locals love having a swim in its sheltered waters in summer, and with a little time on your hands you could do the relaxing Alum Cliffs bushwalk that starts at its northern end. And when you’re done, enjoy some delicious fish and chips at one of the beachfront cafes!
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Start your Tasmania road trip!
It only takes 5 simple steps to get your road trip started.
- Learn about Tasmania’s ‘Big 12’ must-see highlights
- Plan your itinerary
- Decide how to get to Tasmania
- Book your hire car or campervan
- Book your accommodation
We hope this has helped you find some amazing Tasmania beaches for your road trip. If you’ve got any questions at all please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
Happy road tripping!
Andrew.
