Day 11 of our circumnavigation of Tasmania Leaving St Helens we travel 9 km's before we arrive at another beautiful spot called Dianas Basin. This lovely camping area has a lagoon on one side and Beaumaris Beach on the other. Swim, surf, fish or head north or south along the beach for hours of beachcombing. Turn off the Tasman Hwy onto a dirt road at the sign to Dianas Basin. The road forks 500 m further on. Go right another 900 m to be closer to the beach.
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Enough Photos? Great. Next stop, Scamander. 13 km's away Scamander is a coastal town with wide sandy beaches, riverside retreats, nature reserves and fishing hot spots. Located between St Helens and St Marys on the banks of the Scamander River, this seaside spot is popular with locals and visiting leisure-seekers alike. The town is well-serviced with shops, plenty of accommodation and a surf lifesaving club, yet still has the feel of a classic holiday shack village. Scamander Beach is the main attraction, offering all kinds of outdoor fun, from swimming to surfing the local breaks. The river is popular with anglers and has many good fishing spots dotted along its banks. A popular local attraction is Henderson Lagoon, a hidden gem with clear waters and 7 km's of well-marked trails, hundreds of varieties of native flora and around 80 species of woodland and marshland birds. Also popular is the Scamander Forest Reserve on the banks of the Scamander River. The reserve is a popular camping spot and base for fishing trips with barbecue facilities for cooking up the day's catch. East Coast of Tasmania. White Beaches Scamander
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Four Mile Creek is 18 km's down the way. We drive 6 km's then turn left to remain on the a3 Tasman Hwy. As I write this, Tassie time is 7.30 am Winter time, temperature is 4 degrees C, 39 F, so one must remember to rug up if you are doing a winter wonderland tour. Average minimum Summer temperature on the East Coast is 13 C, 55 F. Four Mile Creek is home to The White Sand Estate Iron House Brewery overlooking the Tasman Sea. A pleasant place for a cuppa and more spectacular photo opportunities on our continuing journey southbound. 60 hectares of vines located on rolling hills overlooking the Tasman Sea produce fabulous sparkling, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir. With four handcrafted brews. Brews made to traditional recipes from quality ingredients and the purest Tasmanian water, sourced from our own spring. The Brewhaus Cafe open Wed to Sunday 11 am - 2.30 pm, Dinner, 5.30 - 8 pm
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Refreshed? Chain of Lagoons is a hidden gem on this almost deserted section of the Tasman Hwy. Lagoon's Beach is accessed from the northern end of the Camping Grounds. A very long beach with clear, blue water, and glistening white sand, provides a great day walk to reach either end from the campground. To the west is Mt Elephant and the ranges surrounding the pass to St Marys, a great backdrop to this lovely location.
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Ever onward. Douglas River is situated in the Douglas - Apsley National Park. 18 km's on from Chain of Lagoons. Douglas-Apsley National Park is incredibly diverse, with river gorges and waterfalls, Eucalypt forest and heathlands overlooked by a dolerite-capped plateau. The park also supports many rare and endangered species that only exist here. The Apsley Waterhole, a 10-min walk from the car park off Rosedale Road at the southern end of the park is a great spot for a picnic, scenic bushwalk and a leisurely dip on a hot summer day. Short strolls from the waterhole take in water views and the picturesque Apsley Gorge, with its tranquil pools and undisturbed river scenes. Longer walks lead through wildflower marshlands, wet gullies and deep gorges to spectacular waterfalls. Douglas River
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Apsley River Gorge
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Final leg for today is a short 6 km hop to Bicheno.
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Bicheno is one of the east coast’s greatest holiday destinations. With swimming, foreshore walks, beachcombing and some of the east coast’s finest fishing, Bicheno offers fantastic wildlife experiences. See Little Penguins return to their burrows on an evening penguin experience, join a guided tour to see Tasmanian devils, and encounter native wildlife and at East Coast Natureworld. Go snorkelling at Waub’s Bay to see abundant marine life or, for experienced scuba divers, explore the Governor Island Marine Reserve. You can also experience the underwater environment from the comfort of the glass bottom boat tour. I recommend 2 nights in a Bicheno by the Bay Bungalow with views of the Tasman Sea.(ask for Sea view) Forester Kangaroos at East Coast Nature World
Quoll
Wombats
Tasmanian Devil
Today's total distance may be only 74 km's but well worth it, yes? All I have posted here is for reference only. Showing you some options that Tasmania has to offer. Making it easier for you to plan your own itinerary for your Magnificent Adventure to the Island below the Land Down Under. Tasmania
@Soossie So you know where a future holiday you take might be? Wombats take a back seat when there are Koalas and Kangaroos are involved. I would love to have a Wombat as a pet, but as they are a protected species, that is off the cards. Koalas are not native to Tassie though there are plenty of Wildlife Parks that have them in breeding programs including Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Brighton.
