Top 10 Things to Do in St Helens, TAS

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The holiday haven of St Helens in Tasmania’s picture-perfect north-east soothes world weary travellers with its coastal beauty and tranquil demeanour.

But equally, this is a destination that knows how to shake things up. In fact, pretty much everyone is well catered for. Walkers will love immersing themselves in the vivid colours of the nearby Bay of Fires; foodies will enjoy discovering the bounty of the region’s wineries and farmgates; while thrill seekers can navigate the soaring Peron dunes by 4WD, hit the gnarly network of recently upgraded mountain bike trails, or go game fishing off the coast for mighty marlin.

Situated just on two hours’ drive from Launceston, St Helens makes an ideal base for exploring everything the north-eastern neck of the Tassie woods has to offer. And you’ll be pleased to hear that this region benefits from some of the most comfortable and stable weather in the country.

Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in St Helens.

1. Ignite your senses at the Bay of Fires

With its azure water, sweeping curves of white sand, and fiery red lichen-covered rocks, the Bay of Fires was named as one of Lonely Planet’s top ten regions to visit in the world in 2015. Notwithstanding the pandemic, the region has been riding high on a wave of popularity ever since, and it’s well deserved. There are few landscapes in the country that serve up a visual feast as sublime as this one.

The Bay of Fires region actually encompasses a series of bays and stretches for roughly 50 kilometres from Binalong Bay in the south, to Eddystone Point in the north. It’s hugely popular as a walking holiday destination, and Park Trek offers an accommodated multi-day hike for those with the time and budget. However, if you only have limited time to explore, the stunning Gardens makes an ideal day trip from St Helens (40-or-so minutes’ drive each way) and has all the quintessential Bay of Fires elements present and accounted for. On the return drive, drop by the relaxed hamlet of Binnalong Bay. It’s equally beautiful, but gets busy in summer and other peak periods.

2. Soak up the holiday vibe in town

Circling the protected waters of Georges Bay, St Helens is the largest town in north-east Tasmania, but that fact is unlikely to cramp your style — the opposite in fact. The town has a relaxed, uncrowded, and low-key feel. Wander down to the waterfront and past the St Helens Marina and neighbouring commercial jetties, which host a jaunty flotilla of largely fishing vessels. There are plenty of waterfront parks and picnic spots to enjoy. While the Bay of Fires undoubtedly steals the show in term of coastal splendour, there are several beaches within the bay and out towards St Helens Point — and chances are you’ll be able to have one all to yourself. There’s a great walk from Beerbarrel Beach around St Helens Point to Burns Bay, which takes around an hour to do. You’ll pass pretty coves and inlets. Take plenty of water and a hat.

3. Learn about the past at the History Room 

English explorer Tobias Furneaux navigated this part of Tassie’s coastline in 1773, and named it, not for the lichen covered rocks, but for the many campfires he saw burning along the shoreline. Learn more about the region’s Indigenous heritage, the colonial era, and the rich maritime tradition that ensued, at the St Helens Visitor Information Centre’s excellent History Room. This engaging civic museum houses a large collection of artefacts.  It’ll take you a couple of hours to do it justice.

4. Follow the Trail of the Tin Dragon

You’ll clock the large fire-breathing dragon parked outside the Visitor Information Centre, which references the little-known story of Chinese tin mining in Tasmania’s north-east in the late 1800s. Chinese miners largely pioneered the region, but like similar chapters in other parts of the country, this one was marred by rampant racial discrimination, violence, and mistrust. As the tin industry declined, many miners returned to China or drifted south towards Tasmania’s growing major cities. You can follow the Trail of the Tin Dragon — a series of related attractions and monuments stretching across the north-east (of which the History Room is one).

5. Toss in a line

By the turn of the 20th century, St Helens’ fortunes as a fishing and boat building centre were on the rise. Today, the town is well known as a recreational fishing destination, and various vessel owners operate from Georges Bay. Try Michael Haley’s Gone Fishing Charters, which gets great reviews and offers half and full day fishing trips with a maximum of five participants. Keen Angler Charters operates estuary, reef and open water fishing trips, and all equipment is provided. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land and toss in a casual line around the bay, East Lines Sports Shop in Cecilia Street offers rod and other tackle hire, and bait. Flathead, bream, and snapper can all be snagged from the shoreline.

6. Sample great local seafood

It would be a crime to come to St Helens and not feast on fresh fish and chips. But if catching and cooking it yourself sounds way too much like hard work, don’t despair; moored at the Marina, Skippers Fish Shop has done the hard yards for you. This popular floating fish and chippery has loads of personality and serves local, sustainably sourced seafood. Push the boat out on a feed of lobster, oysters and more.

7. Hit the mountain bike trails

St Helens is well and truly making its mark as a mountain biking destination, and a huge amount of investment has gone into developing local trails in the past few years. The Flagstaff trail south of town gives riders access to just under 70 kilometres of stacked loops (with a connecting link to the town centre). Alternatively, there’s the 42-kilometre Bay of Fires trail, which starts in Blue Tier Forest Reserve and ends at Swimcart Beach.

The Flagstaff trail is family friendly and offers a full suite of amenities at the trailhead, while the Bay of Fires trail requires self-sufficiency and a high level of proficiency in the saddle. The official St Helens Mountain Bike Trails website is the best source of information for riders. Talk to Gravity Isle if you need bike hire or want to book a trailhead shuttle.

8. Hike to Columbia Falls

Tassie has some of the country’s most breathtaking waterfalls, including Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park, Philosopher Falls at Waratah, and Montezuma Falls near Rosebery. One of the highest permanent falls in the state can be accessed with ease from St Helens. The drive east from town to the St Columbia Falls carpark takes about 30 minutes; from there, it’s a one-kilometre return walk to the falls through groves of Jurassic Park-like tree ferns. The walk involves some stairs, but is suitable for anyone of a good general fitness level.

9. Try the top drops at Priory Ridge

In the cooler months a wood-fired stove warmly welcomes visitors to award-winning Priory Ridge Wines, but it’s trumped year-round by the warmth and passion of the proprietors for their characterful wines. Recognised as the best small cellar door in northern Tasmania in 2021 by Gourmet Traveller, Priory Ridge’s bucolic six-hectare vineyard (which has been in family hands for more than one hundred years) and rustic cellar door combine to create a wonderful tasting experience.

Remember that great weather we mentioned? It’s part of the wine-making equation here, as are the north facing slopes and granite soil. The resulting pinot noir, sav blanc, pinot gris, and chardonnay all get great reviews. Go! It’s just a ten-minute drive from the heart of St Helens.

10. Do a day trip to Freycinet National Park

If you want to explore further afield, one of Tasmania’s most amazing national parks — Freycinet — is doable as a day trip for those based in St Helens. You could spend a week exploring the park (which requires a pass to enter), but two highlights to tick off on a short visit are the Cape Tourville and Wineglass Bay Lookouts. An easy 20-minute circuit walk from the car park to the Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Lookout reveals sweeping coastal vistas that will take your breath away — and you’ll catch a glimpse of the gentle arc of white sand at Wineglass Bay in the distance. Keep your eyes peeled for surfacing humpback whales during late autumn, winter, and early spring.

The darling of the Insta set, Wineglass Bay is only accessible on foot or by boat. A day trip may count both of those out due to time constraints, but you can admire the beauty of the bay from afar and snap a great pic in the process at Wineglass Bay Lookout. The walk to the lookout from the car park takes about an hour each way. It’s a steep but well-maintained track and is entirely doable if you’re reasonably fit. The view is undoubtedly one of the finest to be found anywhere in the state.

For more travel inspiration, visit www.discovertasmania.com.au.

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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of top things to do in St Helens? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Cover image: Flow Mountain Bike. Additional images: Bigstock