Salt & Sea Gang
Coastline at Bicheno, Tasmania near The Seakeeper accommodation
Australia's best town

Bicheno,
slowly

Freshly named the best town in Australia — and we couldn't agree more. This is where we swim, walk and eat when we're home at The Seakeeper.

Written by Salt & Sea Gang — hosts of The Seakeeper, Bicheno

Bicheno scene near The Seakeeper — beach and bayBicheno scene near The Seakeeper — coastal bushBicheno scene near The Seakeeper — rocky shorelineBicheno scene near The Seakeeper — ocean swim spot
(01)

The Days

One day
Up Whalers Lookout while the light is low. Croissants from Little Bay Patisserie before they sell out. The foreshore track past the Gulch and the blowhole to Redbill, a swim at Waubs Bay, the famous lobster roll from Lobster Shack. Wine and oysters at Le Gulch as the sun goes down, dinner at Le Coq, then little penguins coming home near the harbour.
Three days
Day one as above. Day two: coffee at Peggy's, snorkel Waubs Bay or walk Diamond Island at low tide, lunch at Sealife on Waubs Bay, an afternoon tasting at Waubs Harbour distillery and The Farm Shed. Day three: Devil's Corner or Maclean Bay Wines for a long lunch in the vines, back via the beach, sauna at The Seakeeper and pizzas from Food and Brew.
A week
Now the coast opens up. Wineglass Bay and Freycinet an hour south, Douglas-Apsley for the quiet tracks, a Pennicott cruise home to Coles Bay. Slow mornings at Gather, a glass-bottom boat over the reef, whisky where it's made. Bicheno is the base the whole east coast works from.
(02)

Water

Waubs Bay
At the end of the street from The Seakeeper. Flat, clear, and made for a morning dip before coffee.
The Blowhole
Go at high tide with a southerly running. Stand further back than you think.
Redbill Beach
Long, empty, and the local surf break at the northern end. Diamonds in the sand if you look.
The Gulch
The working harbour. Watch the boats come in, chat to the locals fishing, The glass bottom boat is a Bicheno icon and worth it.
(03)

Walks

Whalers Lookout
Twenty minutes up, the whole town and coastline laid out below. Go at golden hour.
Douglas-Apsley
Dry forest, a swimming hole, and almost nobody else on the track.
Foreshore track
An easy amble from the Gulch past the blowhole to Redbill — best with an ice cream.
Wineglass Bay
An hour south into Freycinet. Walk over the top and down to the beach — have a swim or at least a dip (three dips or it doesn't count) — then cross the isthmus and let a Pennicott cruise bring you home to Coles Bay. Leave early, take water.
(04)

Wildlife

Little penguins
Bicheno's most famous locals. Take an evening tour or listen for them near the Gulch.
Whales
Passing humpbacks in the migration seasons, straight offshore.
Underwater
Snorkel Waubs Bay on a calm day — or scuba and freedive it if you're experienced. Look closely for the leafy sea dragons drifting in the kelp.
(05)

Cafes

Governor's
Coffee by morning that remembers your order — then it flips into the burger bar by night. Friday outside, that's the move.
Peggy's
Tucked up Burgess St, easy and unhurried. Gluten-free toasties and a salted caramel brownie people get evangelical about.
Little Bay Patisserie
Handmade croissants and pain au chocolat with proper espresso — Bicheno's morning pastry moment. Doubles as a little design shop.
Gather
Takeaway coffee done properly for the early swimmers. Locals, dogs and kids out the front — the town in a cup.
(06)

Table

Le Gulch
Tasmanian wine, oysters and cheese by the gulch — settle in watch the sunset and let the afternoon stretch out.
Le Coq
A little taste of France in the main street — house-made bread, Cape Grim steak. Grab a local bottle from The Farm Shed on your way.
Lobster Shack
On The Gulch overlooking Governor Island. Tasmanian rock lobster, oysters, the famous lobster roll — watch for seals and sea eagles from the deck.
Sealife
Absolute waterfront on Waubs Bay, at the end of your street. Get there at five for a drink on the terrace before dinner.
Food and Brew
Woodfired pizzas, burgers and local beer on tap. Next door to the penguin tours — book dinner around them.
Devil's Corner
Cellar door in the vineyard, a 15 minute drive south. Wine tasting flights, wood-fired pizza and fresh seafood — take a glass up to the lookout and watch the sun drop.
(07)

Pour

Devil's Corner
The big cellar door, 15 minutes south of town. Tasting flights, pizza and seafood, and the lookout over Great Oyster Bay.
Maclean Bay Wines
A boutique vineyard ten minutes north of town, estate-grown and handpicked — award-winning pinot noir, rosé and sparkling rosé, with the bay itself visible from the vines.
Milton Vineyard
Family-run vines above the coast on the way to Freycinet. Pinot noir, riesling and a quiet tasting room — 15 minutes from the front door.
The Farm Shed
Local wines by the glass and bottle in the main street. If it's made on the east coast, it's on the shelf here.
Waubs Harbour
Whisky made metres from the harbour it's named for — aged in the sea air, right in town. Book a tasting at the distillery.
Bicheno Beer Co
Small-batch beer brewed in town. A pint after the penguins, before dinner — the local way.
(08)

Questions

The ones guests actually ask us — answered by the people who host them at The Seakeeper.

How many days should I spend in Bicheno?

Two days covers the highlights; three lets you sink in. If you're using Bicheno as a base for Freycinet and the Bay of Fires, give it five — the whole east coast radiates from here.

What are the best things to do in Bicheno?

Swim Waubs Bay, watch the blowhole at high tide, walk up Whalers Lookout, see the little penguins near the Gulch, and take a day trip to Wineglass Bay. Eat at Le Gulch and Le Coq, taste at Devil's Corner and Waubs Harbour.

Where should I eat in Bicheno?

Le Gulch for wine, oysters and cheese by the harbour. Le Coq for French in the main street. Lobster Shack over the water, Sealife on Waubs Bay, Food and Brew for pizza and local beer. Devil's Corner cellar door is fifteen minutes south.

Can I see penguins in Bicheno?

Yes — little penguins come ashore near the Gulch most evenings. Take a guided evening tour, keep the torches off and the voices low.

Can I charge my EV in Bicheno?

Yes. The Seakeeper has a 7.4kW EV charger included with your stay — arrive flat, leave full.

Stay at
The Seakeeper

Dog-friendly Bicheno accommodation with a private sauna, a 7.4kW EV charger included with your stay, and Waubs Bay at the end of the street.

See The Seakeeper