The Great Ocean Road drive in mainland Australia, proving to be one helluva drive, we were now looking forward to the Great Eastern Drive in Tasmania. This drive too, like the Great Ocean Road drive, would span over two days extending covering 200 kms. We started off from Hobart, where we had stayed for two days, choosing to drive via the Great Eastern Drive.
- Day One – Drive from Hobart to Swansea via vineyards, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Richmond..
- Day Two – Drive from Swansea to Launceston via Coles Bay, St Helen, Binalong Bay
Drive from Hobart to Swansea via vineyards, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Richmond and Kate’s Berry Farm
Start early, for there is lots to see along the way — vineyards, beautiful landscapes, berry farms….The vineyards come first, and the flip side of starting early is that most vinerayds and their coffee shop do not open until 10 am. Not that you are dying for coffee, since you have just had your breakfast. But closed vineyards mean neither a sip of their produce, nor a bottle to carry back home. We enquired in one vineyard…they were good enough to allow us a tour….which is all what we wanted….
Just after the vineyards is the historic town of Richmond with its quaint churches, pretty Richmond bridge and its historic gaol, the oldest in Australia.
About 20km from Richmond is the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. We spend quite a bit of time there – the daughter wouldn’t simply stop feeding the Kangaroos and gazing at the Koalas!
Villages get tinier as you drive ahead. You won’t get many fancy tourist towns on your way to Swansea. We stopped by at a little village’s grocery cum coffee joint for some quick fishes and chips for lunch.
Just before you hit Swansea, there’s Kates Berry Farm. Stop by for some lovely pastries and coffee, and carry home some chocolates.
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- Pastry at Kates Berry Farm near Swansea in Tasmania
Stopover at Meredith House in Swansea
Meredith House is straight out of the story books – an absolutely charming, over-hundred year-old renovated bungalow, filled with books, piano in a corner house. And despite its two dining rooms, you’d only want to have your breakfast in the verandah only. Noel and his wife wait upon most tables, and make very interesting conversation.
Rooms are well appointed – over’s was on the first floor with an adjacent, story-book-like children’s room. There’s wifi of course.
With the beach just down the road, we went for a lovely beach run the next morning, followed by a quick walk around the little town.
Day Two – Drive from Swansea to Launceston via Coles Bay, St Helen, Binalong Bay
Day two had a bit of a trek in store for us at the Freycinet National Park. Famous for the stunning views of Coles Bay and the Wine Glass Bay, we climbed the lookout point over a good 20-30minutes.
Heading towards St Helen and Binalong Bay, lookout for beautiful birds in the smaller bays.
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