Things to Do

EXPERIENCE SANDPIPER

There is plenty to enjoy right here at Sandpiper. Wander out from your private deck and stroll lazily over the dunes and along Denison Beach, gazing at beautiful coastal mountains, all from the solitude of your quiet, gloriously lonely squeaky sand beach. Of course, you’ll have to share with the seabirds and ocean life. You can borrow beach gear (think chairs, umbrella, boogie board) and a fluffy beach towel from our collection. Or if you prefer peaceful gardens and wildlife, sit on your deck or in the gardens and watch the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos and the splendid blue wrens, or our resident hens. Dusk and dawn bring out the pademelons, quolls, devils, wombats and deer, though they are shy.  If you’re in the mood for a game, borrow our bocce balls or Finske set. Golfers can even hit a few balls in our paddock/practice range!

EXPLORING BICHENO 

It’s no surprise that Bicheno started as a fishing village- a self guided walk around the foreshore, the blowhole and Whalers’ Lookout will give you a sense of the beauty and history of Bicheno. There are signs to guide you.  You can explore the village on foot and check out the shops, community garden galleries, Farm Shed East Coast Wine and Gin Centre, and the Log Cabin. Grab a bite to eat at the Blue Edge Bakery, the Sandbar, Food and Brew, the Sea Life Restaurant or the Beachfront pub, or wander over to the esplanade and sample the fare at the Gulch (Tasmanian Coastal Seafoods) or the Lobster Shack. 

While at the Gulch, head off on a glass bottom boat ride or fish from the pier. Or get to know some of the local Tasmanian wildlife on a Bicheno Penguin Tour or Devils in the Dark Tour.  Between Sandpiper and the village are the East Coast Nature World wildlife park and Douglas Apsley National Park, which features a bountiful waterhole and walk to the Gorge.  Or if you prefer your holes without water, you could play a round of golf at the Bicheno Golf Club.  All are between Sandpiper and Bicheno along the Great Eastern Drive.

EXPLORING NEARBY ATTRACTIONS ALONG THE GREAT EASTERN DRIVE

The Great Eastern Drive takes you to wonderful things in both directions, and Bicheno is the perfect jumping off spot for day trip explorations of the East Coast. Return from your journey to Sandpiper and relax with a glass of wine overlooking Denison beach (from our lookout in the dunes) and watch the sky put on a show. If there’s a chill in the air, have a hot chocolate nestled by your fire in your cottage.

SOUTH OF BICHENO

A short hop south (30 minutes’ drive) is Freycinet National Park and Coles Bay, overlooking the Hazards. Here you will find the walk to the iconic Wineglass Bay lookouts (there are two), and down to Wineglass Bay beach and Hazards Beach. Another famous walk for a Wineglass Bay and coastal lookout is the climb to the top of Mt Amos. There are also many other walking tracks in and around Freycinet National Park, and the Parks information centre has a wealth of information.

Want to get to Wineglass Bay or Hazards Beach fast? The Freycinet Aqua Taxi runs water transportation departing from Coles Bay, and you can spend the day exploring the peninsula before being picked up for your return boat ride. [Picnic lunch link to be added] If walking isn’t your thing, Wineglass Bay Cruises have you covered with a luxury cruise and views from the water- enjoy the sealife along the way, including dolphins or, at the right time of year, whales. If you want to get a bird’s eye view, then Freycinet Air Tours can show you the Peninsula from above-- view the beautiful mountain, crisp blue water and white sand from the sky. 

Another unique and rewarding way to see what Freycinet is all about is through Freycinet Adventures— take a guided tour in an ocean kayak.  This award winning outfit will show you amazing things!

You must be hungry by now--  taste some of Tasmania’s freshest seafood at Freycinet Marine Farm on the Freycinet Peninsula. You can take a tour of the marine farm with Oyster Bay Tours [link] and literally harvest and eat your fresh oysters while the water is still dripping from them. Or turn your lunch into a long affair, with The Long Lunch Tours Co food and wine tours around the Coles Bay and Freycinet area.

Top off your seafood odyssey with a drop of local wine! Meander down the Great Eastern Drive through wine country. The East Coast Wine Trail [link] features several wonderful vineyards, including the spectacular Devil's Corner Cellar Door(with lunch and tastings), Freycinter Vineyard (and olive oil maker), Milton Vineyard (grab lunch at Mel’s Kitchen while there), Spring Vale Vineyard, Gala Estate or Cragie Knowe Vinyard. If you want to sit tight and sample, rather than meander, don’t forget that you can taste it all at the experts at the Farm Shed in Bicheno (along with Tassie tipples stronger wine!).

NORTH OF BICHENO

After a long snug sleep and clearing your head at the beach at Sandpiper, you might like to venture north along the beautiful Great Eastern Drive.  Stop in at White Sands Estate, just 25 minutes from Sandpiper, If you’d like a brewery tour or wine tasting.   

If you need some exercise to work off all those calories, fifty minutes from Sandpiper you will find a spot of world class mountain biking at St Helens MTB trails —don’t worry, you can rent a bike if you didn’t bring your own! 

Or if you want to explore stunning coastal wilderness, head to the Bay of Fires (25 minutes from St Helens). You can go walking on the granite sand beaches, climb on the lichen coloured rocks or head off on the trails.  The Bay of Fires Eco Tours can show you a different side of this beautiful coast with a boat tour. 

If you’ve worked your appetite up again, head to the Pyengana Dairy and watch cheese being made at this historic and idyllic spot, and then have a bite to eat in the restaurant and buy some cheeses to eat by the fire when you hit the couch back at Sandpiper. You can also buy gourmet East Coast ingredients from the East Coast Provedore in St Helens, and cook them how you like them in your fully equipped Sandpiper kitchen or BBQ.

OTHER EXPLORATION

There is plenty more information on the East Coast Tasmania Tourism website for you to explore! We are happy to talk with you and help in any way we can- just give us a call.