St Helens, in the state’s northeast, is one of Tassie’s favourite holiday destinations, a handy two hours from Launceston and three and a half from Hobart. There’s so much on offer in this vibrant coastal town, it’s easy to see why it picked up Gold in the inaugural Spirit of Tasmania Tassie’s Top Tourism Town awards for 2020.
Holidaymakers come for the swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, and sailing or just to relax on one of the pristine beaches. The iconic Bay of Fires is one of St Helens’ biggest attractions where orange lichen-covered boulders line the foreshore in stark contrast to the vibrant blue skies and oh-so-white beach. It’s a must-visit spot on your Tasmanian holiday.
See the icons of the Apple Isle on this in-depth tour of Tasmania. Fly into Hobart for 2-nights and explore the Port Arthur Historic Site. Enjoy an epic Gordon River Cruise travelling to Strahan and Queenstown. Enjoy a train journey on the West Coast Wilderness Railway line before arriving into Tullah. Take in all the sights of Wine Glass Bay with an aerial view whilst exploring the Freycinet Peninsula before heading back to Hobart.
St Helens lies in one of the most pristine coastal areas of Tasmania overlooking Georges Bay. The gateway to Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires Conservation area St Helens sits just above Freycinet National Park. It’s a place of natural beauty filled with a wonderful array of attractions to explore.
The area has invested in a world-class mountain biking network, drawing thrill seekers from across the globe to take on some of the most scenic trails found anywhere. For those who like to take things at a slower pace, the curiously named Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area has some easy walking tracks that meander past the stunning, orange-coloured rocks and secluded coastal coves.
The path along tranquil Georges Bay is a peaceful pleasant place to walk or ride while St Helens Point Conservation Area offers something completely different with its more open coastal scenery and the spectacular Peron dunes.
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St Helens is a relaxed, friendly town to explore. There’s quite an arts scene in the area with galleries and gift shops featuring the work of local artists. Pop into St Helens History and Visitor Information Centre and learn about the Chinese tin miners who lived and worked in northeast Tasmania. If you happen to be in town on a Saturday, the St Helens Market is a great place to get lost!
Due to its location, it’s not surprising St Helens serves up some of the freshest seafood anywhere in the world. From big tuna caught on the edge of the continental shelf to tasty bream hooked close to shore. People book holidays here just to indulge in fresh oysters, crayfish, abalone, and scallops at cafes, restaurants, or straight from the local fish punts. Paired up with a famous Tassie wine or local craft beer and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven!
Day trips from St Helens to Launceston encompass a wide range of interesting places to explore. Pyengana is a small, rural community, just 25 minutes out of St Helens. Pyengana Dairy Farm Gate Café offers farm tours and delicious samples of their award-winning cheeses.
In contrast, the town of Derby in the rugged hills of the northeast is a former tin mining town that has been revamped into mountain bike trail HQ. It’s a great place to stop for a cuppa and wander around the converted miners’ cottages.
Not surprisingly, St Helens’ population is on the rise. In the 2021 census, the number of people calling this patch of paradise home was 2,206.
In 1773 Captain Tobias Furneaux sailed up the coast naming the southern point of Georges Bay, St Helens Point. The first official land grant was provided in 1830 and in 1835 the small village was renamed St Helens after the town of the same name on the Isle of Wight in the UK. It had become a base for whalers and sealers.
Tin was discovered nearby in the 1870s and St Helens transformed into an important shipping port for the mines. Over 1000 Chinese immigrants moved through the port and the tin mines prospered until the turn of the century when they closed, and many miners settled in St Helens. Over time, St Helens became a major fishing port and today is a popular tourism destination.
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We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
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