A Great Eastern Drive Itinerary
A stop-by-stop plan for Tasmania’s classic coastal road trip — heading north from Orford to St Helens, past Swansea, Maria Island, Bicheno and the Bay of Fires.
A Great Eastern Drive Itinerary
The Great Eastern Drive is one of those rare road trips where the driving is the easy part. Roughly 176 km of gentle coastal road links Orford in the south to St Helens in the north, and every stop is a reason to pull over — a bay, a blowhole, an oyster shed, a beach the colour of bleached bone. Here’s how we’d string it together, stop by stop, heading north from Orford.
Beaches, bays, penguins and oranges of granite — 176 km with a reason to stop at every turn.
The Route, North from Orford
Orford & Triabunna
Spring Bay and the southern gateway — catch the ferry across to Maria Island.
Maria Island
A car-free day trip of convict ruins, painted cliffs and very tame wombats.
Swansea & Spiky Bridge
Oysters, cool-climate cellar doors and the convict-built Spiky Bridge.
Bicheno
The blowhole, diving and little penguins waddling ashore at dusk.
Freycinet
Wineglass Bay and the Hazards, right on the route with their own guide.
St Helens & Bay of Fires
Georges Bay, fishing, and the flame-orange boulders from Binalong Bay north.
Tips for the Drive
- Allow two to three days — it’s drivable in half a day, but don’t rush it
- Book the Maria Island ferry from Triabunna — check current times
- Time Bicheno for dusk to catch the little penguins
- Save the Bay of Fires for late afternoon light near St Helens
- Detour to Freycinet midway if you have a spare day
- Prefer not to drive? See our Great Eastern Drive tour
Great Eastern Drive — FAQ
How long does the Great Eastern Drive take?
The Great Eastern Drive runs roughly 176 km from Orford to St Helens and can be driven in about half a day. We’d give it two to three days so you can stop and slow down — see also the East Coast in three days.
Which way should you drive the itinerary?
Either direction works. From Hobart, start at Orford and head north; from Launceston or the north, start at St Helens and drive south. See getting around to plan the logistics.
What are the must-stops on the drive?
The Maria Island ferry from Triabunna, Swansea on Great Oyster Bay and the convict-built Spiky Bridge, Bicheno’s penguins, and the orange-granite Bay of Fires near St Helens.
Should you detour to Freycinet?
Yes if you have time — Freycinet and Wineglass Bay sit right on the route, midway along the coast, and have their own detailed guide. See the Freycinet guide or weigh it up in East Coast vs Freycinet.
Can you do the itinerary as a guided tour?
Yes — we can drive the whole route for you and handle the bookings. See our Great Eastern Drive tour, or tell us your plans and enquire.
East Coast, Planned Around You
The Great Eastern Drive, the Bay of Fires and Maria Island, penguins at Bicheno and oysters by the water — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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