TASMANIA: East Coast

"Hidden East Coast Treasures"

A Great Destination for a Family Exploration Adventure

The east coast of Tasmania has a number of little known natural wonders with the Ben Lomond and Freycinet National Parks being just two of these. Both have great walking tracks yet while Ben Lomond is more noted for snow-skiing the Freycinet Penninsula has a wonderful three day bushwalk along the full length of the penninsula above the spectacular Wine Glass Bay.

Bird watching is very productive here with the White-Bellied Sea Eagle and the Australian Gannett very common in the skies. The geology is granite with a number of peaks with The Hazards, Mount Graham and Mount Freycinet being the more prominent. These are joined or surrounded by stretches of white sandy reaches where there are plenty of activities for the whole family. Shorter walks along the beaches and park trails will provide wonderful views and opportunities to see the wildlife, birds and flowers that are plentiful.

Ben Lomond National Park in the central north-east is the home of Tasmania's public snow fields and the ideal place to go cross-country or downhill snow-skiing as well as being easily accessible.

The highlands offer a range of activities including rock climbing, snow-skiing in season, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and cave exploration just a few of the things to keep an enthusiast busy while on the east coast.

The National Park's area covers some sixteen and a half thousand hectares and has within its boundaries the rocky inclines of Legges Tor, Tasmania's second-highest peak at over fifteen hundred metres. It os not only popular in season for skiing but also for bushwalking and mountain climbing.

There are ski facilities and accommodation in Ben Lomond village with unpowered camping sites and The Creek Inn. Camping is allowed in the park but regulations need to be adhered to so check these first with National Park officials. Fewer crowds, except for the prolific diverse wildlife, and the alpine wilderness make this a special skiing trip. Because of the plateau like countryside high atop the ragged ridges cross-country skiing and snowboarding are very popular here.