Should I stay in Bicheno or Coles Bay?
At Younique Stays we love receiving questions from our future guests and here’s one that we get asked quite a bit: Is it better to stay in Bicheno or Coles Bay? It’s not an easy one to answer, but we’re up for the challenge! Both spectacular locations, let’s try to tackle this one, step by step.
Read on to discover our YOUNIQUE STAYS TOP 5: Is it better to stay in Bicheno or Coles Bay?
Cod Rock Point, Bicheno
YOUNIQUE STAYS TOP 5 LIST: SHOULD I STAY IN BICHENO OR COLES BAY?
1. Setting
Ok, let’s break it down.
Coles Bay is the nearest town to Freycinet National Park - it is literally on the doorstep of the national park. The views over the Hazards mountain range are second to none and there’s nothing like a Coles Bay sunset. From every aspect, Coles Bay offers magnificent views, wildlife aplenty and easy access to Freycinet National Park with its iconic Wineglass Bay, Honeymoon Bay and Cape Tourville Lighthouse.
Bicheno is an idyllic seaside town positioned right on the coast with pristine beaches, wildlife, a foreshore walking trail and nature reserves right at your fingertips, all cradled by Douglas Apsley National Park. The variety of beaches at Bicheno means there is something for everyone: surfing at Redbill, safe swimming at Waubs, snorkelling at Rice Pebble or diving at Peggy’s Point. Walk from The Gulch (Bicheno’s natural sea harbour) around to the Bicheno Blowhole for a magical, seaside experience.
The verdict: 50/50 we can’t split this one!
2. Facilities
This one is slightly easier to answer: Bicheno is a larger town than Coles Bay and offers travellers a long list of facilities including an IGA supermarket, general store (with hardware and fishing / camping gear), pharmacy, GP, bakery, bank, post office, bottle shop, major petrol station and a nice selection of restaurants, cafes and retail shops. That said, you won’t go without in Coles Bay: the town is serviced by a small but well stocked convenience store and post office, petrol, bakery, pub and a couple of cafes.
The verdict: Bicheno wins this round.
3. Easy access to the rest of the East Coast
Bicheno is known as the ‘heart’ of the east coast - it’s right on the Tasman Highway (Great Eastern Drive) and is roughly the geographic centre of the east coast. This makes Bicheno the perfect base for exploring up and down the coast. With the Bay of Fires 1-hour to the north and the Triabunna / Maria Island Ferry 1-hour to the south, you can see the whole coast in easy day trips from Bicheno.
Coles Bay is a short, 20-minute detour off the Tasman Highway, towards the Freycinet Peninsula. Turn off the main highway and enjoy the drive past Moulting Lagoon to the small township. Still an ideal base for exploring the rest of the east coast, do factor-in the extra 20 minute drive each way, up and down Coles Bay Road.
The verdict: Bicheno takes out this category.
4. Things to do
Coles Bay is a nature-lovers and adventure-lovers paradise. The list of things to do in Coles Bay is impressive. Some of our favourites include:
Wineglass Bay Cruises (nature cruise with seasonal whale watching)
All4 / All Terrain Tours (quadbike tours in the national park)
Freycinet Adventures (sea kayaking tours)
Freycinet Walking Tours (guided walking tours in the national park)
Gelball at Freycinet Campground (gelball is safe for young kids, unlike paintball)
Oyster Bay Tours (oyster shucking in a marine oyster farm)
And of course, self-guided walks in the national park to iconic locations like Wineglass Bay, Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Friendly Beaches.
Likewise, there are many things to do in Bicheno. Here are some of our top things to do in Bicheno:
Bicheno Penguin Tours (nightly tour to the penguin rookery)
East Coast Natureworld (wildlife park and home of the iconic Devils in the Dark night tour)
Waubs Harbour Distillery (whisky tours and tastings)
Undersong Perfumery (tours and botanical experiences)
Lobster Shack Tasmania (southern rock lobsters and seafood with a view!).
The verdict: Coles Bay by a whisker.
5. Places to eat and drink
We know that our guests love to come to east coast Tasmania for the food and wine experiences. Bicheno and Coles Bay both have some great options.
Bicheno is well catered for with cafes, a patisserie, restaurants, a pub and RSL bistro, takeaway stores, woodfired pizza and a bakery. Here you will also find the Farm Shed: East Coast Wine Centre where you can try wines from every winery on the coast as well as local beers, gins and spirits. Bicheno’s iconic Lobster Shack is a seafood lover’s paradise and Waubs Harbour Distillery is not to be missed by whisky lovers. Special mentions for Governörs for their excellent burgers and Le Coq Bicheno for a taste of France on the east coast of Tasmania.
Coles Bay is a town split into two zones. On one side of town you can find ice-cream, fish and chips and a popular cafe. On the other side of town, find the bakery and cafe, woodfired pizza (on select evenings) and the pub. Drive into the national park to find Richardson’s at Freycinet Lodge for lunch with a spectacular view. New kid on the block Freycinet Resort (on Coles Bay Road) is now offering an 8-course seasonal omakase (Japanese) set menu and Freycinet Marine Farm is a great place to discover local seafood including oysters and mussels.
The verdict: Bicheno takes the cake.
The final verdict?
It’s Bicheno by a small margin because of its location, facilities and easy access to the whole east coast region. Located right on the Great Eastern Drive, Bicheno is a spectacular location that puts you in the heart of the action (and, Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park are a short 30 minute drive away!). Browse our selection of places to stay in Bicheno: