Why this road
The direct road to Bicheno skips the side road out to Coles Bay, and that would mean missing the best part: the granite peaks of the Hazards rising across Great Oyster Bay, and behind them Wineglass Bay, one of the most photographed beaches in Australia. Along the way you get sea views, vineyards and quiet coastal towns. It is about 2 hours of driving without stops, including the road out to Coles Bay and back.
The route
- AOrford
A small seaside town on the Prosser River. Head north on the Tasman Highway along the coast, with Maria Island offshore.
- 1Spiky Bridge
A stone bridge built by convicts in the 1840s, with sharp field stones set upright along its parapet. Just off the highway south of Swansea.
- 2Swansea
A quiet town on Great Oyster Bay. Across the water you see the Hazards, the granite peaks of Freycinet.
- 3Coles Bay
Turn off past the vineyards and drive out along the bay to Coles Bay, the gateway to Freycinet National Park. The track to the Wineglass Bay lookout starts a few minutes further in.
- BBicheno
Back to the highway and north to this fishing town, with a blowhole on the rocks and little penguins that come ashore at dusk.
Stops worth it
Fifteen minutes for the bridge and the small beach next to it.
An hour and a half for the walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout, steep but well built, and back. Cape Tourville, with an easy short walk and wide sea views, is nearby.
See the blowhole on a day with some swell. Penguin tours run in the evening, book ahead.
Light and the best time
You drive north with the sea on your right, to the east. In the morning the sun is over the sea: bright, backlit water and glare. From midday on, the sun moves to the west, behind you as you look east. Then the Hazards across Great Oyster Bay are lit from the front, and from the Wineglass Bay lookout, which looks east, the beach and water show their color. In the evening the low sun turns the granite of the Hazards orange and pink, best seen from Swansea or Coles Bay. Starting at nine puts you on the lookout in the early afternoon and in Bicheno well before dusk.
November to April is the warm season, with the most settled weather in late summer and autumn. Summer school holidays and Easter are the busiest times in Coles Bay. The roads are open all year. Winter is cool but often clear on this side of Tasmania.
By vehicle
Easy driving on a good two-lane highway. Keep to the left and watch for wildlife.
Very popular with campervans. Freycinet's campsites are in demand in summer, book ahead.
Relaxed coastal riding with long views. Watch for gravel on the side roads and animals on the road.
Good on a sunny day, the east coast is the driest and sunniest part of Tasmania. Take a layer, the sea breeze can be cool.
Good to know
There are no tolls on this route. Australia drives on the left. Freycinet National Park needs a Tasmanian parks pass, check current options and prices on the parks website. Avoid driving at dusk and at night: wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils are on the road and hard to see. Fuel is available in Orford, Swansea, Coles Bay and Bicheno, but the distances between are long. The car park at the Wineglass Bay track fills up in summer, go early or late.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long is the Great Eastern Drive?
The full Great Eastern Drive runs from Orford to St Helens and the Bay of Fires. This section from Orford to Bicheno, including the road to Coles Bay, is about 2 hours of driving without stops.
Do I need a pass for Freycinet National Park?
Yes, a Tasmanian parks pass is required. Check the current options on the parks website before you go.
How long is the walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout?
About an hour or a bit more return, steep in parts but on a well-made track. Walking down to the beach adds a lot more.
Is it safe to drive at night in Tasmania?
It is legal, but wildlife on the roads makes it risky, especially at dusk. Plan to arrive before dark.
What is the best way to continue after Bicheno?
North to St Helens and the Bay of Fires, the last part of the Great Eastern Drive.