Orange lichen boulders at Cosy Corner, Bay of Fires
Orange lichen boulders at Cosy Corner, Bay of Fires
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Tasmania East Coast Self-Guided Walk

6 days / 5 nights

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From a convict island to Wineglass Bay and the orange rocks of the Bay of Fires: six days on Tasmania's east coast by ferry, coach and on foot.

Starting Point

Hobart

Finish Point

Launceston

Fitness Level

3/5

Technical Level

3/5

Season

From October to April

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Tour Type

Inn-to-Inn

Daily Distance

7 – 9 mi

Daily Elevation

492 – 2133 ft

Highlights

  • Climb the Bishop and Clerk, 620 m above Maria Island's convict settlement
  • Walk the old penitentiary and Commissariat Store at Darlington
  • Take a water taxi to Cooks Beach and walk Hazards Beach end to end
  • Look down on the curve of Wineglass Bay from the Hazards saddle
  • Follow the Bay of Fires south past granite boulders stained orange
  • Reach every walk by ferry, water taxi, coach or local taxi
PricePrice on request
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What’s included in the price?

Accommodation levelComfort

Carefully selected motels, a hotel and a holiday unit, all with a private room and bathroom. Expect simple, comfortable rooms in small coastal towns; meals are not included, and each town has cafés and restaurants.

These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

Tasmania's east coast puts three very different walks within a short drive of each other: a convict island, a granite peninsula and a coast of white sand and orange rock. This tour walks the best of each and joins them by ferry, water taxi and public coach, so you never need to drive.

Maria Island comes first. The ferry lands you at Darlington, and you have the whole day to climb the Bishop and Clerk or walk the cliffs before the last boat back.

In Freycinet National Park a water taxi takes you to Cooks Beach, and the walk brings you home over the Hazards, past Wineglass Bay and its lookout. It is the finest stretch of the peninsula, walked in one day with a bed in Coles Bay at the end.

The Bay of Fires takes the last two walking days, from St Helens. One loops round Humbug Point; the other runs the length of the coast from The Gardens to Binalong Bay, beach after beach.

You sleep in three towns: one night by the Maria Island ferry, two in Coles Bay and two in St Helens. The coaches follow a fixed timetable, which is why the tour starts on a Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Sunday.

Distances here are approximate, taken from Parks Tasmania's figures and rounded. Most days are 11–15 km; the climb to the Bishop and Clerk is the one long, steep ascent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not if you are happy walking 12–15 km on rough paths. Day 2 is the hardest: about 13 km with a steep climb to the Bishop and Clerk and boulders at the top, which you can skip. The Bay of Fires days are mostly beach. If you would rather have shorter days from one base, look at our Three Capes Self-Guided Walk.

Only between your room and the coach. There is no luggage transfer on this tour: bags ride in the coach hold, and Tassielink allows two pieces of up to 20 kg each. On walking days you carry a day pack. The Maria Island ferry takes only a small bag of up to 7 kg, so your main bag stays in Triabunna for the day.

Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Sunday, from October to April. On those days every coach the tour needs is running. Another start day is possible with one private transfer at extra cost.

The last boat leaves Darlington at 4:15 pm and the coach north leaves Triabunna at 5:37 pm, so there is about 50 minutes to spare. If the boat is late or cancelled, call the support number in your guidebook and we arrange the next way to Coles Bay. Encounter Maria Island runs the ferry.

Yes, as an upgrade, when the lodge has two nights free. It stands inside the national park, within walking distance of the Wineglass Bay track, and costs a good deal more than the standard rooms in Coles Bay.

Two places depend on them. The Painted Cliffs on Maria Island can only be reached within about two hours of low tide, so we suggest them only on the right day. On the Bay of Fires some headlands are easier at low tide; at high tide take the tracks behind the beach. Your guidebook gives the times from the Bureau of Meteorology tide tables.

Meals are not included, so you choose. Triabunna, Coles Bay and St Helens all have cafés and restaurants, and the holiday park in Coles Bay has a tavern and a café on site. Nothing is sold on Maria Island: take lunch and two litres of water on the ferry.

No. The circuit is a 27 km walk over two or three days with nights in campsites. This tour walks its best stretch in one day, from Cooks Beach back past Wineglass Bay, and you sleep in a room in Coles Bay. Parks Tasmania has the details of the full circuit.

HASSLE-FREE

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

TRIED & TESTED ADVENTURES

We chose these walks for the scenery, then made sure each has a roof every night and needs no hire car.

HELP ON THE WALK

Plans changed, or something not as booked? Ring the support number in your guidebook. For police, fire or ambulance, call 000, even without credit.

Price on request