Road Tripper’s Guide to Southport Tasmania

Are you looking for a place to relax, unwind, and get away from it all?

Let me introduce you to the tiny town of Southport, Tasmania. It is a real favourite with local Tasmanians, and this guide shows you how to make the most of your time in this wonderful beachside location and Far South Tasmania.

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The Village People told us to, “Go west! Life is peaceful there.”

But you know what? I prefer to head south!

From the equator. Head south!

From Australia. Go south!

From Hobart. Waaaay south!

South through the green vales and budding orchards of the Huon Valley. The Egg Islands to your left and Franklin to your right. 

Surges Bay, Glendevie, Dover, Raminea, until finally, less than two blissful hours of driving later you’ll be pulling into the most southerly town in all of Australia… Southport!

Southport Tasmania – A quick history

I’ll let you in on a little secret… I am ashamed to say that before writing this guide I didn’t know a lot about Southport.

I mean, I knew it was nearly as far south as you could possibly drive, and that there was colonial history in the region. But what I didn’t realise was just how MUCH history I was going to discover!

Did you know that on the back of a booming whaling and timber industry in the mid 1800s, Southport was close to becoming the capital city of Van Diemens Land? It was the second largest town in Tasmania, and Europe couldn’t get enough of the sublime hardwoods that grew in the region.

But it was when I dug even deeper that things got REALLY interesting.

So many atrocities have been committed against Australia’s aboriginal population, and when you hear the story of French explorers Bruni d’ Entrecasteaux and Jacques Labillardiere you may wonder just how different things might have been.

While the British were intent on using the back-breaking labour of convicts to set up colonies around the world in the 1780s, the French were more interested in discovery, sailing the mysterious southern seas, setting foot on new lands and making friendly contact with the inhabitants.

It was in both 1792 and 1793 that the French dropped anchor at Recherche Bay, just 15km south of Southport, to stock up on supplies and to make repairs to their ships.

200 years might seem like a long time ago, but anyone who has walked through Tasmania’s ancient forests will understand the depth of emotion felt by d’Entrecasteaux as he wrote these words…

“It will be difficult to describe my feelings at the sight of this solitary harbour situated at the extremities of the globe, so perfectly enclosed that one feels separated from the rest of the universe. Everything is influenced by the wilderness of the rugged landscape. With each step, one encounters the beauties of unspoilt nature…trees reaching a very great height, and of corresponding diameter.” – Bruni d’Entrecasteaux

They only spent 5 weeks in the area in 1793, but their accounts of contact with the Lyluequonny Aborigines are fascinating, and so different to anything else I’ve read.

Sharing shellfish caught fresh from the sea by the women divers, singing songs together, learning their language – very useful when they sailed to Bruny Island – and even helping each other to clear fallen trees and other obstructions from the walking trails linking Recherche Bay, Southport Lagoon and Blackswan Lagoon.

“If our path was interrupted by heaps of dry branches, some of them walked before, and removed them to either side. We could not walk on the dry grass without slipping every moment, particularly where the ground was sloping: but these good savages, to prevent our falling, took hold of us by the arm, and thus supported us.”

and,

“The kindness and gentleness which seemed to be the basis of their character, gave to our meetings rather an air of reunion of friends rather than a meeting of individuals who were quite different in every way.” – Jacques-Mallo La Motta du Portail

It really makes you wonder doesn’t it?

There are plenty more interesting stories to be discovered from both the 1792 and 1793 French landings. If you’d like to learn more I recommend reading these interesting articles:

• ‘The Axe Had Never Sounded’ [read more]
• ‘A French Garden in Tasmania’ [read more]
• ‘The Lost Garden of Recherche Bay’ [read more]

Best Things to Do in Southport Tasmania

That’s a very brief history of Southport, but what about now? What are some of the best things to do in Southport Tasmania and why would you visit?

I think I can sum it up in just a few words:

“Aussies visit Tasmania to relax and get back to nature.
Tasmanians? They go to Southport!”

It’s a far cry from the buzz and hum of yesteryear. Holiday shacks, swimming, fishing, gem-fossicking and bushwalking are now the main attractions for folks wanting to ‘get away’ from it all.

The town itself is only tiny, but it is the perfect base for exploring the plentiful options of Far South Tasmania.

Here are some of the best Southport Tasmania attractions. I’ll start in town, and slowly expand to include the surrounding area.

1. Explore Roaring Beach

Follow Lady Bay Road for just a couple of minutes drive east of Southport and you’ll find yourself at the white sands of Roaring Beach. This south-east facing beach has a lovely sandy foreshore and surfers will enjoy moderate swells. The beach has two sections separated by a small creek and some rocks – the western side is a bit larger and is easily accessible, whereas you will need to walk to the smaller eastern section (great for a quiet picnic!).

2. Swim or snorkel at Lady Bay

Keep following Lady Bay Road past Burnett Point Nature Reserve and after a few more minutes you’ll be at Lady Bay. This is a much rockier beach, but I hear that snorkellers and divers might be rewarded with fields of bull kelp below the surface.

3. Aurora Watching

Surprise, surprise, Southport faces south. 

Light pollution is virtually non-existent this far south and you have perfect conditions for going aurora watching. The small headland at the end of Cathkit Street in Southport would be a good spot to base yourself, but Roaring Beach would be better as there there is nothing between it and Antarctica.

Click here to learn how you can see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) in Tasmania and take some amazing photos!

4. Lune River Gem Fossicking and Lunaris Gemstones

Here’s something I never knew… Lune River is famous for its gem and mineral fossicking!

There is an area about 5km² to the south of Ida Bay where you and the children can fossick to your hearts content. The most common finds include petrified fern, agate, petrified wood and jasper. 

There are many areas nearby where it is strictly prohibited to fossick, so before you go I strongly recommend checking this page on the Mineral Resources Tasmania website.

Can’t be bothered finding your own gems? 

You can also stop by Lunaris Gemstones at 175 Lune River Road. Boris and Chrys have an extensive collection of stunning minerals that you can peruse and purchase. They also make regular appearances at Salamanca Market in Hobart on Saturday mornings.

Dare I say it… this is a real ‘hidden gem’…

5. Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs

A great experience for the kids, these twin attractions are just 15 minutes drive from Southport. You’ll be pleased to hear that the road is now 100% sealed as well.

Newdegate Cave is described by many as being one of the most beautiful in the country. In an unusual twist, it is made of dolomite, not limestone like most other caves.

A guided tour takes 45 minutes and will cost around $26 for adults, and $13 for children. Tour times vary throughout the year, so make sure you check their website. Make sure you get there at least 45 minutes before your tour, as you need to allow time to get from the carpark to the cave entrance.

Nearby you’ll also find the Hastings Thermal Springs. These mineral-rich waters bubble up from deep beneath the forest and at a temperate 28°C it’s a nice place to soak and relax.

To avoid disappointment, don’t expect natural streams/lakes in the middle of the forest… as you can see from the photo above it is more like a swimming pool in the forest… but still a lot of fun. 

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Another bonus for this attraction is that even though it is run by P&WS, you don’t need a Parks Pass!

6. Platypus Walk + Hot Springs Walk

Hastings Caves State Reserve also has a couple of walks for you to explore. 

The Platypus Walk is wheelchair accessible and very easy, while the Hot Springs Walk is a bit longer and gives the kids (and grownups) the chance to feel for themselves how the hot spring waters from underground mix with the cool waters of a regular creek.

7. Ida Bay Railway

Unfortunately the Ida Bay Railway is currently closed, but I really hope this changes because I’ve heard fantastic reports from previous travellers.

Regardless, if you’re up for a decent half-day bushwalk then you can still walk the tracks of the railway, all the way in to Southport Lagoon, and Southport Bluff Beach. I haven’t done this walk myself, but the terrain is flat and allowing 4-5hrs should be enough (plus a bit extra if you’d like to explore the beach or have a bite to eat).

At the northern end of Southport Bluff Beach is the monument to drowning victims of the sinking of the George III convict ship back in 1835. Historic whispers suggest that the guards preferred to shoot the convicts as the ship went down, rather than risk them panicking and possibly escaping!

Unfortunately, access to the monument is currently prohibited to protect the highly endangered coastal ecosystem nearby.

A picnic shelter with BBQ facilities and toilets is available at Elliott’s Beach – about 1.5hrs walk from Ida Bay – and it is a good place to stop and turn back if you are short on time.

8. Mystery Creek Cave

The trail to Mystery Creek Cave is an awesome short walk, but also one of the strangest.

To get there, drive about 1km south from Ida Bay and turn right onto South Lune Road, and then left onto Limestone Quarry Road. Follow this to the signed start of the walk.

It’s starts out normal, taking you along the old tramway track through lush forest and across a broad bubbling stream, but as you get closer to the quarry site you start to see relics from past making an appearance. Old leather shoes, plates, cans and other weird and wonderful oddments surprise at every step.

Not much further on among the green ferns is Mystery Creek Cave, which you can explore to your hearts content (flash floods have happened in the past, so please be careful). It is dark, so best to take a torch for exploring and then switch it off to plunge yourself into darkness and spot some glow-worms!

Overall this walk is pretty easy, with only the stream crossing and last little scramble down into the cave mouth needing any sort of dexterity. A few hours total should find you back at your car.

9. Project ‘X’ – ‘Transformer’

Watch this space!

Hobart’s DarkLab – the same group responsible for Dark MOFO – plan on constructing what I like to call a ‘bush kaleidoscope’ in Ida Bay. Knowing their wacky left-field approach to art I can only imagine how good this is going to be.

Late 2022 was the original plan, and here we are many years later and it’s still ‘in the works’… but I’ll keep it in this list to get everyone excited for when it finally happens [more]

Other places further afield…

When you base yourself at Southport there are so many other places to explore that are a little bit further away.

My Huon Valley & Far South Tasmania Itinerary is the perfect place to get your inspiration, including some of these great options:

• Cockle Creek
• Tahune Airwalk
• South Cape Bay bushwalk
• Duckhole Lake
• Hartz Mountains National Park
• Adamsons Peak bushwalk

Where to Stay – Southport Accommodation

If you’re thinking visiting Southport Tasmania, accommodation is a very important consideration for both convenience and your budget.

Beach ‘shacks’ are scattered throughout Southport, but to be honest they are all a LOT more than just a shack. You typically get the whole house – including fully-equipped kitchens – making them perfect for couples who love to spread out, and families with children.

If you’re keen to splash out for a weekend, I know you’re going to love Sirens @ Southport. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows, stunning views across the water, easy walk to the beach, timber accents… my wife and I had the BEST stay here when we last visited Southport!

Paul and Marta are the owners of Sirens, and they also happen to be long-time members of the Lap of Tasmania Facebook Group. Mention the Lap of Tasmania in your online Airbnb booking and they will provide you with a FREE bottle of Josef Chromy Tasmanian Cuvée NV! They are very popular, so click here to check availability.

Rock Lobster is another great accommodation option in Southport, and when I discovered this gem I couldn’t help but think of the B52s hit from the 70s!

It might be an old song now, but Rock Lobster holiday house certainly isn’t.

You will enjoy water views from bedrooms and the huge upper-floor entertainment deck – the beach is just meters from your front yard – and when the temperature drops you will absolutely love the steaming hot jacuzzi!

Every room is beautifully appointed, and the kitchen has everything you could possibly need for a short stay or extended family holiday. Click here to check availability for Rock Lobster.

Summertime Cottage is the last of my recommendations, and it’s an absolute beauty!

Check out the photo above to see just how good the views are from your dining table and deck area, and the beach is literally only metres away from your font door.

There is plenty of space across its 3 bedrooms for the whole family or a large group of friends to spread out and relax, and the fully equipped kitchen is perfect for preparing your own meals. 

Keep your eyes open after dark because the local wildlife often visit your front yard in the evening! Click here to check availability for Summertime Cottage.

If you are camping your way around Tasmania – or even if you’re a family seeking value cabin accommodation – then you’ll love staying a few nights or longer at Southport Hotel and Caravan Park.

Just 10-15 minutes walk from the beach, Rodney and Kerrie have put a lot of love into this park, making it a great place to set up camp.

You can explore their 12 acres of native bushland, use their camp-kitchen to prepare your own meals, stock up at their on-site shop, or have a meal at the Hotel.

There are all sorts of accommodation options available depending on your needs:

• Powered sites – $32 per double per night + $5 per additional person – Children under 5 are free
• Unpowered sites – $10 per person per night – Children under 5 are free
• Self-contained cabins – $75 per double per night + $10 per extra person
• Self-contained motel units – $130 per double per night + $20 per extra person

Unlike a lot of caravan parks these days there is plenty of space between sites, so you won’t have to worry about things getting too cosy either. WiFi is also available.

Where to Eat in Southport

With a population of less than 200, you can understand that dining options are limited in Southport.

Don’t worry though, there are still enough options in Southport and the surrounding towns to keep you well fed.

• Southport Hotel Tasmania – Proudly wearing the label of ‘most southerly pub in Australia’, the Southport Hotel Tasmania is the place to be to meet the locals, have a good feed, or sink a cold post-kayak beer. I hear the Tassie scallops and fish & chips are very good, and in winter you’ll love the cosy log fire.
• Rocket @ the End of the Road – The what?! I couldn’t believe it when I found this fantastic little coffee/chai/icecream/cafe popup near the Southport jetty. They have changeable opening hours depending on the time of year – for the latest info click here to visit their Facebook Page.

Here are some other options in nearby towns that you’ll enjoy:

• Post Office 6985 (Dover) – Pizzas, Aussie, Italian. My wife and I have tried the pizza here and it was delicious!
• Dover RSL (Dover) – Great value for a decent family feed.
• River Run Tavern (Dover) – Hearty meals and delicious burgers on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Dover Top Shop (Dover) – Fantastic for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• On Par Bistro (Dover) – Excellent pub fare. They used to be located at the Dover Golf Club, but are now providing meals at Top Shop in Dover.
• Bakehouse Distillery (Dover) – Their locally distilled ‘Sassafras Spirit’ is intriguing and well worth a taste. Bookings are essential as they aren’t open to walk-ins.

Other information

• I couldn’t find any playgrounds for the children in Southport itself, but there are a couple of fantastic options at Heritage Park in Geeveston (platypus as well – click here to learn more), and at Shipwrights Point just outside Geeveston.
• Southport is the last place to get fuel if you’re heading down to Cockle Creek.
• Unlike most of Tasmania, Optus seems to have better phone reception in Southport compared with Telstra.
• Beyond Southport the road turns to gravel. If you are in a rental vehicle  and wanting to get to Cockle Creek than make sure you check that you are allowed to drive on dirt roads – click here for Tassie car rental comparison.

Final thoughts, and suggested reading…

I hope you’ve found this guide helpful in discovering the tiny town of Southport, and including it in your Tasmania road trip itinerary!

Are you still a little bit unsure how to structure your Tassie itinerary, which places to visit and where to stay? Or maybe you’d like to bounce some ideas off other travellers or Tassie locals?

We welcome questions over at our Facebook group, so please stop by and say g’day!

I also have plenty more articles like this to help with your planning. Here are some of my most popular ones:

• 14-Day ‘Ultimate’ Itinerary
• Huon Valley and Far South – Guide & Itinerary
• Road Trip Packing List ← Easy to download and print!
• Tasmania Car Hire Comparison
• 7 Best Places to See Snow in Tasmania
• Hobart Accommodation Guide

Happy travels!

Andrew.