BICHENO

Bicheno (pop ~700) is one of Tasmania's most beautiful towns and one of the most popular holiday destinations. It began life as a sealing and whaling town and then transitioned to a coal mining port (shipping coal mined inland at Fingal), but today crayfishing is the largest industry.Bicheno is blessed with many natural attractions, including a mild climate, beaches and superb fishing of almost every type, but has not relied solely upon these. The town offers many activities for tourists, including a scuba diving school, and two vineyards (Freycinet Vineyard and Coombend Estate, south of town). The grave of Tasmanian Aboriginal heroine Waubedebar is in Bicheno.

ST HELENS

St. Helens (pop ~1200) is the largest town on the east coast of Tasmania, and like most other east coast towns, is centred around the fishing industry. A deep-sea scale fishing fleet operates out of St. Helens, and Georges Bay (on which St. Helens was founded) has built a reputation for the quality of its crayfish and oysters.

ST MARYS

St. Marys (pop ~600) is situated to the westward side of St. Patrick's Head, a mountain from where the South Esk River commences its journey. St. Marys is at the junction of the Tasman and Fingal Highways. Although it has convict ruins and quality craft shops, St. Marys is best known for the coastal views from the surrounding hills and mountains, notably Elephant Pass. St. Marys also has a historic railway network and museum.

SWANSEA

Swansea (pop ~400) is located on the north-west shore of Great Oyster Bay, south of the Coles Bay turn off. The town has several historic buildings, including Morris' General Store (1838), in operation for over 100 years. It also boasts safe swimming and surfing. Spiky Bridge and Mayfield Beach, south of the town, are excellent for rock & beach fishing, and trout fishing at Lake Leake is also popular. Towards Lake Leake (west of Swansea), the Lost Falls and Meetus Falls are worth a detour. There are two vineyards, Sping Vale and Craigie Knowe, near Cranbrook (just north of Swansea). Close to town is the Swansea Bark Mill, used to process black wattle bark, which was used in pioneering days for tanning leather.