Swansea and its surrounding coastline offer a mix of conservation beaches, national parks and local tours. Use this guide to plan your stay.

Beaches and coastal walks

• Coswell Beach: a short walk from the cottages, with clear water for swimming and walks north or south along the coast.
• Jubilee Beach: in the Swansea township, 2 kilometres from the estate.
• Waterloo Point Beach and Coastal Walk: short and all-day walks, picnic areas and views of the Freycinet coast and Great Oyster Bay. The 2.3 km circuit starts in the centre of Swansea, and the site of the first European settlement in 1827 has interpretive signs on the local Oyster Bay nation's Aboriginal history.
• Cressy Beach: 3.5 kilometres south of the estate, a safe swimming beach with views of the Freycinet coast.
• Swan River: 4 kilometres north of Swansea, a popular local bream fishing spot.
• Spiky Beach and Spiky Bridge: 6 kilometres south of Swansea, a picnic spot and good for rock fishing. The fieldstone bridge was built by convict road gangs in 1843, without mortar.
• Kelvedon Beach: 8 kilometres south, with views back to Coles Bay and Schouten Island; good for long walks and penguin spotting.
• Mayfield Beach: 14 kilometres south of Swansea, a popular swimming, camping and fishing area.
• Friendly Beaches: about 30 minutes' drive northeast, a long unspoiled stretch of white sand within Freycinet National Park. It is an unpatrolled ocean beach with strong undertows, so take care when swimming. A valid Tasmania National Parks Pass must be displayed on your vehicle when parking.

National parks and sightseeing

Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. A peninsula of pink granite mountains and native forest edged by blue bays, with bushwalking, The Hazards peaks and the curved shoreline of Wineglass Bay. Wineglass Bay is about a 45 minute drive northeast of Swansea; the walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout is 1.5 hours return, and a further 1.5 hours return takes you down to the beach. A valid national parks pass is required.

Maria Island. A car-free national park and wildlife sanctuary with wombats, kangaroos, the Painted Cliffs and the World Heritage-listed Darlington convict site, reached by a short trip from the east coast.

Tours and cruises

• Wineglass Bay Cruises (Freycinet II): a 4-hour cruise from Coles Bay to the cliffs of the peninsula, with lunch at Wineglass Bay. Contact us to arrange your cruise booking.
• Wineglass Bay Cruises with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, 61 Jetty Road, Coles Bay: cruise the inner passage of Schouten Island and into the Tasman Sea towards Wineglass Bay. Details and booking: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.
• Freycinet Aqua Taxi: a water taxi from Coles Bay to Hazards Beach, from where a 2 km bush track leads to Wineglass Bay. Details and booking: Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.
• East Coast Cruises (Maria Island): a cruise and walk day tour with sea caves, remote beaches and the east coast's largest seal colony, plus an afternoon walk around the historic settlement of Darlington. Contact us to arrange your tour booking.
• Freycinet Adventures: guided sea kayaking from Coles Bay. Book on the Freycinet Adventures website.
• The Long Lunch Wine Tour Co.: a progressive degustation with your guide, Brad, across the local region. Details at longlunchtourco.com.au.

Wildlife and local activities

• Whale watching: most sightings on Tasmania's east coast. Humpback whales generally appear from June to July and again from September to December; southern right whales pass in June to September and again between September and late October. Book an eco-cruise through Freycinet Adventures.
• Devils in the Dark: an evening experience watching Tasmanian devils up close in a naturalistic setting. Book through local visitor centres or on the official Devils in the Dark website.
• Swansea Golf Club: a 9-hole course open to the public all year round, overlooking Freycinet National Park.
• East Coast Heritage Museum, 22 Franklin Street (website): in Swansea's original 1860 public schoolhouse, with over 5,000 artefacts. Open Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed weekends and public holidays.
• Artifakt Gallery and Cafe, 26 Franklin Street: a contemporary art gallery combined with a casual cafe on the waterfront overlooking Great Oyster Bay.

Where to eat

• Homestead Restaurant: a 6-minute drive away, refined dishes from local Tasmanian produce overlooking Great Oyster Bay. Dinner bookings are highly recommended, phone 0487 399225.
• Bark Mill Tavern: less than a 3-minute drive, in a refurbished 1885 bark mill, with wood-fired pizzas, local oysters and pub classics, and a family-friendly playground. Bookings: 03 6257 8094 (website).
• Poppies Bistro: at the Swansea RSL, open for dining Wednesday to Saturday 5.30 PM to 8 PM. Bookings: 03 6257 8188.
• Alimento: bakery, providore, fromagerie and restaurant on Franklin Street, open Monday to Saturday 6 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 7 AM to 3 PM.
• Dalila's Patisserie: handmade French pastries from fresh Tasmanian products, open on weekends.
• Freycinet Marine Farm: fresh Pacific oysters and Tasmanian blue mussels, open daily 9 AM to 3 PM (website).
• Kate's Berry Farm: the Just Desserts Cafe above the berry rows with views across Great Oyster Bay, open Saturday to Tuesday 9 AM to 3 PM.
• Melshell Oyster Shack: a 15-minute drive north at Dolphin Sands, oysters harvested daily, open weekdays 10 AM to 4 PM (website).

Wineries and vineyards

Tasmania's East Coast is a cool-climate wine region. Within about 10 to 15 minutes of the estate:

• Spring Vale Vineyards (website): a family winery north of Swansea; tastings are held in a convict-built stable dating from 1842. Cellar door open daily 11 AM to 4 PM.
• Craigie Knowe Vineyard (website): the oldest commercial vineyard on the East Coast. Cellar door open daily 11 AM to 4 PM.
• Milton Vineyard (website): tastings daily 10:30 AM to 4 PM overlooking a central lake.
• Gala Estate: a working sheep station with a boutique vineyard and cellar door in Cranbrook.
• Kelvedon Estate (website): open by appointment or on special event weekends only; call (03) 6257 8541 before visiting.
• Mayfield Estate: 10 minutes south of Swansea, merino wool and small-batch wines with views to the Freycinet Peninsula.
• Boomer Creek Vineyard: in Little Swanport, estate Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with local platters.
• Devil's Corner (website): a cellar door above Moulting Lagoon with wood-fired pizzas and fresh seafood. Cellar door open daily 10 AM to 5 PM.
• Freycinet Vineyard: 7 kilometres south of the Coles Bay turn-off, established in 1980, also offering estate olive oil and local cheeses.