travel Beautiful scenery, fresh seafood and some of the state’s warmest weather make this charming fishing town a perfect weekend destination, Ruth Dawkins writes.
Bicheno The PIT STOP
Photos: Courtesy of Whalers Rest, Little Bay Collective; Tourism Tasmania / Stu Gibson
SEE Tasmania’s only glass-bottomed boat operates out of Bicheno, running 40-minute tours throughout the day. The area’s clean, clear waters are teeming with marine life – from stingrays and jellyfish to eels and sea stars – and the enthusiasm of Bicheno’s Glass Bottom Boat operator and guide Maitreya Randall is infectious. EAT For the ultimate ocean-to-plate Tassie seafood experience, you’d be hard pressed to find a better spot than the Lobster Shack. Overlooking the iconic Gulch, this relaxed eatery serves up fresh lobsters, oysters and prawns. If you can drag yourself away from the view, there’s also a small maritime museum upstairs.
DRINK Discover the best wines the East Coast has to offer at The Farm Shed. The friendly, knowledgeable owners Helen Bain and Subi Mead offer tastings of 24 wines at any one time plus sales of 90 wines from 22 local vineyards – including a few from smaller, boutique producers without a cellar door of their own. SHOP Can you imagine a better retail combination than pastries and fashion? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Little Bay Patisserie. This beautiful space provides cafe seating and freshly baked pastries alongside carefully curated clothing, accessories and homewares. Treat yourself to some gorgeous knitwear, colourful ceramics or a warm croissant straight out of the oven.
ESSENTIAL STOPS • Bicheno’s Glass Bottom Boat • The Lobster Shack • The Farm Shed • Little Bay Patisserie • Whalers rest
WAUBS BAY
GOVERNOR ISLAND
BICHENO
STAY Families and couples alike will enjoy a restful stay at Whalers rest: a quiet, light-filled shack with spectacular ocean views. It’s thoughtfully styled with maritime-themed knick-knacks – whale bones, buoys and rudders – and, with the beach nearby, there is plenty of time to fossick for shells and start your own collection.
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(clockwise from top) Bicheno’s iconic Gulch; a cruffin by Little Bay Patisserie; tasteful styling at Whalers rest.
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