Guidebook for Swansea

Fiona
Guidebook for Swansea

Food Scene

This is one of our favourite restaurants in Swansea. Great scallop pie, fantastic seafood and great service. Fantastic views from this restaurant. The desserts are definitely worth saving yourself for here.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Saltshaker Restaurant.
11A Franklin St
6 recommandé par les habitants
This is one of our favourite restaurants in Swansea. Great scallop pie, fantastic seafood and great service. Fantastic views from this restaurant. The desserts are definitely worth saving yourself for here.
Good coffee, it's also a nice 20 minute walk from our place, so if you like a walk in the morning to get your coffee and fresh bread then this is the place. They also have freshly made salad rolls, and plenty of pastries. It is well worth going there. If you're at a loose end and have some spare cash and time, then this might take your fancy. Approximately $25 for two adults and two kids, covers the history of harvesting of bark to be used in the tanning industry from the ol days.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Bark Mill Tavern & Bakery
96 Tasman Hwy
18 recommandé par les habitants
Good coffee, it's also a nice 20 minute walk from our place, so if you like a walk in the morning to get your coffee and fresh bread then this is the place. They also have freshly made salad rolls, and plenty of pastries. It is well worth going there. If you're at a loose end and have some spare cash and time, then this might take your fancy. Approximately $25 for two adults and two kids, covers the history of harvesting of bark to be used in the tanning industry from the ol days.
Great ice cream, local produce including berries when in season. Excellent coffee and cake as well. Nice afternoon treat for the kids. Literally within walking distance from our place
24 recommandé par les habitants
Kate's Berry Farm
12 Addison St
24 recommandé par les habitants
Great ice cream, local produce including berries when in season. Excellent coffee and cake as well. Nice afternoon treat for the kids. Literally within walking distance from our place
Is one of the oldest heritage listed properties in and around Swansea and has a fantastic outlook over the fields of the area. The wine is very nice and should suit most. Can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Milton Vineyard
14635 Tasman Hwy
40 recommandé par les habitants
Is one of the oldest heritage listed properties in and around Swansea and has a fantastic outlook over the fields of the area. The wine is very nice and should suit most. Can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno.
We just love the old-style label design of these wines, and the wine is not too bad as well!. Can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno. Great food and wine, and child-friendly as well.
40 recommandé par les habitants
Spring Vale Vineyard
130 Springvale Rd
40 recommandé par les habitants
We just love the old-style label design of these wines, and the wine is not too bad as well!. Can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno. Great food and wine, and child-friendly as well.
Whilst this is a 30 minute or so drive from Swansea, it's worth a visit because of the really good seafood as well as the outstanding views. Also, if you can time your meal to finish on twilight then you can see the penguins coming onto the beach and rocks from outside the restaurant
22 recommandé par les habitants
Sealife Centre
1 Tasman Hwy
22 recommandé par les habitants
Whilst this is a 30 minute or so drive from Swansea, it's worth a visit because of the really good seafood as well as the outstanding views. Also, if you can time your meal to finish on twilight then you can see the penguins coming onto the beach and rocks from outside the restaurant
This vineyard has breathtaking views of Great Oyster Bay from it's architecturally built lookout. It has many dining options, from kid-friendly, casual to more formal and romantic, showcasing some of Tasmania's beautiful produce. Oysters, other seafood, fish and chips and many other options. Good area for kids to wander around if needed too. Can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno. Tourist information is also available on site. https://www.brownbrothers.com.au/about-us/our-brands/devils-corner/
61 recommandé par les habitants
Devil's Corner Cellar Door
1 Sherbourne Rd
61 recommandé par les habitants
This vineyard has breathtaking views of Great Oyster Bay from it's architecturally built lookout. It has many dining options, from kid-friendly, casual to more formal and romantic, showcasing some of Tasmania's beautiful produce. Oysters, other seafood, fish and chips and many other options. Good area for kids to wander around if needed too. Can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno. Tourist information is also available on site. https://www.brownbrothers.com.au/about-us/our-brands/devils-corner/
This cellar door is a sight to behold in an old house by the side of the road. Very friendly staff, great wine, and can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno.
22 recommandé par les habitants
Gala Estate Vineyard & Cellar Door - Wine TastingBookings Essential
14891 Tasman Hwy
22 recommandé par les habitants
This cellar door is a sight to behold in an old house by the side of the road. Very friendly staff, great wine, and can be included on your wine tour between Swansea and Bicheno.
Piermont restaurant is probably the best restaurant in Swansea and is well suited for those special events, or nights to remember. Their degustation menu is to die for, and is well worth considering - we certainly recommend it.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Piermont Retreat
12990 Tasman Hwy
9 recommandé par les habitants
Piermont restaurant is probably the best restaurant in Swansea and is well suited for those special events, or nights to remember. Their degustation menu is to die for, and is well worth considering - we certainly recommend it.
This is one of our favourite places to go for dinner and it's where the locals go. Open Wednesday to Saturdays, you won't find a better crumbed scallops or flathead meal anywhere in the state!
Swansea RSL Club Bistro
2 Noyes St
This is one of our favourite places to go for dinner and it's where the locals go. Open Wednesday to Saturdays, you won't find a better crumbed scallops or flathead meal anywhere in the state!
Either travelling from Hobart to Swansea, or from Swansea to Hobart, a stop at this fish van by the wharf is a great place for lunch, with the best fish and chips on the East Coast of Tasmania. We recommend arriving early (opens 11am) before the crowds roll in.
16 recommandé par les habitants
The Fish Van
19 Esplanade W
16 recommandé par les habitants
Either travelling from Hobart to Swansea, or from Swansea to Hobart, a stop at this fish van by the wharf is a great place for lunch, with the best fish and chips on the East Coast of Tasmania. We recommend arriving early (opens 11am) before the crowds roll in.
If you love Oysters then this place is definitely worth a visit. Cute little van selling some of the freshest oysters I have ever tasted. Lovely casual setting with a beautiful view, and don't forget to take along a bottle of wine to enjoy with your oysters.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Melshell Oyster Shack
9 Yellow Sandbanks Rd
20 recommandé par les habitants
If you love Oysters then this place is definitely worth a visit. Cute little van selling some of the freshest oysters I have ever tasted. Lovely casual setting with a beautiful view, and don't forget to take along a bottle of wine to enjoy with your oysters.

Parks & Nature

Beautiful views of this area, the beaches are pristine, you can fish and relax in this quiet area.
15 recommandé par les habitants
Coles Bay
15 recommandé par les habitants
Beautiful views of this area, the beaches are pristine, you can fish and relax in this quiet area.
We love the 30 minute drive to Bicheno to visit the Douglas Apsley National Park. There is a 15 minute walk to a fantastic fresh water swimming hole, which on a hot day can make the short walk all worth it.
28 recommandé par les habitants
Douglas-Apsley National Park
28 recommandé par les habitants
We love the 30 minute drive to Bicheno to visit the Douglas Apsley National Park. There is a 15 minute walk to a fantastic fresh water swimming hole, which on a hot day can make the short walk all worth it.
If you have a spare day on the East Coast of Tasmania, you absolutely should consider the trip to Maris Island, taking the trip over on the Maria Island Ferry. This national park takes in the whole island. There are many short walks, and longer if you like. Lots of wildlife that you can photograph and see in their natural environment. More information on Maria Island at http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/
17 recommandé par les habitants
Parc national de Maria Island
17 recommandé par les habitants
If you have a spare day on the East Coast of Tasmania, you absolutely should consider the trip to Maris Island, taking the trip over on the Maria Island Ferry. This national park takes in the whole island. There are many short walks, and longer if you like. Lots of wildlife that you can photograph and see in their natural environment. More information on Maria Island at http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/
This iconic beach is well worth the trip, and would probably be our number 1 highlight of the East Coast of Tasmania. At a minimum you should do the walk to the lookout, and into Wineglass Bay, which should take about an hour and a half. We love doing this with our children, and if feeling adventurous extend the walk through to Cooks Beach. There are many other walks as well. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/
60 recommandé par les habitants
Wineglass Bay
60 recommandé par les habitants
This iconic beach is well worth the trip, and would probably be our number 1 highlight of the East Coast of Tasmania. At a minimum you should do the walk to the lookout, and into Wineglass Bay, which should take about an hour and a half. We love doing this with our children, and if feeling adventurous extend the walk through to Cooks Beach. There are many other walks as well. http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/
If you have children, or if you love wildlife you may want to consider doing the Bicheno penguin tours. This is one of the best way to see penguins up close. You can attempt to see them by yourself, but you may end up disappointed. bichenopenguintours.com.au
44 recommandé par les habitants
Bicheno Surf
70 Burgess St
44 recommandé par les habitants
If you have children, or if you love wildlife you may want to consider doing the Bicheno penguin tours. This is one of the best way to see penguins up close. You can attempt to see them by yourself, but you may end up disappointed. bichenopenguintours.com.au
This place is not a zoo, but cares for displaced and injured wildlife and nurtures them back to health for release back into the wild. Make sure you arrive in time for the Tassie Devil demonstration conducted by people who are knowledgeable handlers of the Tasmanian Devils. The snake enclosure and the great birds exhibits are also worth seeing.
40 recommandé par les habitants
East Coast Natureworld
18356A Tasman Hwy
40 recommandé par les habitants
This place is not a zoo, but cares for displaced and injured wildlife and nurtures them back to health for release back into the wild. Make sure you arrive in time for the Tassie Devil demonstration conducted by people who are knowledgeable handlers of the Tasmanian Devils. The snake enclosure and the great birds exhibits are also worth seeing.

Sightseeing

20 recommandé par les habitants
Swansea
20 recommandé par les habitants
We love Nine Mile Beach because of the fantastic sand and you can almost be the only people on this beach on occasions. It's a pretty safe beach and is good for swimming, boogie boarding and other beach activities. Well worth the 15 minute drive to the beach for a half-day or day trip.
Nine Mile Beach
We love Nine Mile Beach because of the fantastic sand and you can almost be the only people on this beach on occasions. It's a pretty safe beach and is good for swimming, boogie boarding and other beach activities. Well worth the 15 minute drive to the beach for a half-day or day trip.
This is interesting to have a look at as it was one of the first bridges in the area and was built by convicts using field stones laid without mortar or cement - can you imagine doing that!
6 recommandé par les habitants
Spiky Bridge
Tasman Highway
6 recommandé par les habitants
This is interesting to have a look at as it was one of the first bridges in the area and was built by convicts using field stones laid without mortar or cement - can you imagine doing that!
This is an absolute must-do if you can afford ($140 - 4 hours) the cruise, because you have the very real possibility of seeing whales, dolphins and seals in the area. Even if you don't see lots of sealife the cruise to Wineglass Bay is extraordinary, and something we would absolutely recommend, for adults and children. More information at www.wineglassbaycruises.rezdy.com
21 recommandé par les habitants
Wineglass Bay Cruises
Jetty Road
21 recommandé par les habitants
This is an absolute must-do if you can afford ($140 - 4 hours) the cruise, because you have the very real possibility of seeing whales, dolphins and seals in the area. Even if you don't see lots of sealife the cruise to Wineglass Bay is extraordinary, and something we would absolutely recommend, for adults and children. More information at www.wineglassbaycruises.rezdy.com

Entertainment & Activities

This beach is absolutely fantastic and you may have driven past it on your way to Swansea if you came from the South. It's about a 10 minute drive from Swansea, and the beach is good for surfing (smallish waves) as well as for kids. The sand is absolutely fantastic for lazing away the morning or afternoon. A nice half-day trip away from Swansea
Mayfield Beach
This beach is absolutely fantastic and you may have driven past it on your way to Swansea if you came from the South. It's about a 10 minute drive from Swansea, and the beach is good for surfing (smallish waves) as well as for kids. The sand is absolutely fantastic for lazing away the morning or afternoon. A nice half-day trip away from Swansea
This is one of the best swimming beaches in the area and is a short 2 minute drive from the house. Often you will be the only one on the beach.
Cressy Beach
This is one of the best swimming beaches in the area and is a short 2 minute drive from the house. Often you will be the only one on the beach.
The scenic 9-hole golf course has views over Great Oyster Bay and the distant Freycinet peninsula.
Swansea Golf Club
1c Franklin St
The scenic 9-hole golf course has views over Great Oyster Bay and the distant Freycinet peninsula.

Shopping

Great deli and cheap prices. This is where we go for our staples.
7 recommandé par les habitants
IGA Xpress Swansea
8 Franklin St
7 recommandé par les habitants
Great deli and cheap prices. This is where we go for our staples.
This IGA has numerous items for beach activities including fishing and swimming gear, clothing, thongs and beach towels
7 recommandé par les habitants
IGA Everyday
13 Franklin St
7 recommandé par les habitants
This IGA has numerous items for beach activities including fishing and swimming gear, clothing, thongs and beach towels

Arts & Culture

Located inside Swansea's original school house and home to Swansea Visitor information centre (10am-4pm) this covers aboriginal artefacts and local history
Glamorgan Spring Bay Historical Society Inc.
22 Franklin St
Located inside Swansea's original school house and home to Swansea Visitor information centre (10am-4pm) this covers aboriginal artefacts and local history

Essentials

Doctors surgery is located here
May Shaw Health Centre
37 Wellington St
Doctors surgery is located here
Great little pharmacy, very helpful
Swansea Pharmacy
28 Franklin St
Great little pharmacy, very helpful