10 Reasons To Visit Bicheno
Tucked away on Tasmania's east coast, the quiet seaside enclave of Bicheno just found itself named #1 on Australian Traveller’s list of Best Aussie Towns to visit in 2026 - and rightly so. From an ancient wilderness at its back to cold-water oysters and handmade perfume on its doorstep, here’s just 10 reasons (there’s plenty more) this former whaling port might just be the most extraordinary town you haven't been to yet.
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Bicheno (image: Tourism Australia)
DOUGLAS-APSLEY NATIONAL PARK
Most visitors come to Bicheno facing the sea. The smart ones also turn around. Douglas-Apsley is one of Tasmania's least-visited National Parks but, as a vast eucalypt wilderness where the walking tracks feel genuinely remote, it also happens to be one of its most rewarding. The Apsley Gorge Circuit is the jewel: an easy-ish half-day loop that ends at a deep green waterhole hemmed in by towering rocks. Forest-bathing and cold-plunging? It’s nature’s double whammy.
Apsley Waterhole (image: Harrison Candlin - Vagary)
GOVERNÖRS
A tiny café with extremely confident Scandinavian undertones, Governörs leans heavily into the Swedish side of things: strong coffee, proper kanelbullar, and a deep respect for “fika” - mandatory snack breaks for emotional stability. Boasting a relaxed ambience and more than a couple of sun-soaked corners, this is a Bicheno go-to for very good daytime eats and drinks.
ISLANDER ART HOME FASHION
Comfortable and cleverly curated, Islander epitomises the Bicheno beach vibes with a collection of homewares and clothing from Tasmanian and international brands. It’s the kind of place where you wander in for one thing and leave with three, all of them exactly right. The staff know the area, the stock is considered, and the proximity to the water means you can take that new kaftan straight to its first beach outing.
Islander (image: Instagram)
WAUBS HARBOUR WHISKY
As the world’s closest distillery to the ocean, Waubs Harbour crafts single malt whisky that honours the distillery’s home on the water’s edge with every bottle. Join the team for a tour and tasting (bookings essential) to get a proper introduction to what this corner of the island tastes like when it’s been influenced by local grain, coastal peat, pristine Tasmanian water, and world-class oak barrels.
UNDERSONG PERFUMERY
Down a Bicheno laneway, Undersong founder and perfumer Hilary Burden creates fragrances rooted in the sensory language of the Tasmanian landscape. Visit the perfumery to join Hilary for a live distillation experience, discover the on-site library and workshop area, and sample the current range of natural perfumes. Come with curiosity, leave with a bottled reminder of your escape to the coast.
SOCIETY OF THE LOST AND FOUND
Every person’s trash is someone else’s treasure, and Society of the Lost and Found is more than happy to play the connecting role. Step inside this veritable cornucopia of meticulously handpicked treasures, to discover second-hand and vintage clothing, records, books, plants and unique homewares. A blend of timeless classics and contemporary styles, this is one stop on your Bicheno itinerary that deserves both time and your reusable shopping bag.
BICHENO PENGUIN TOURS
Established in response to dog attacks devastating the local penguin colony, Bicheno Penguin Tours has become a model for wildlife protection and education. More than just tours, the enterprise has recovered Bicheno’s penguin population to a thriving, multi-generational community through round-the-clock monitoring, habitat restoration, and the deep belief that nature and visitors can coexist. Join a dusk tour to catch plenty of glimpses of these cuties returning to their rookery to bed down for the night.
Bicheno Penguin Tours (image: Tourism Australia)
LE COQ
All about showcasing the best of Tasmania while blending traditional French flavours with modern Australian influences, Le Coq brings genuine kitchen ambition to Bicheno - tight, seasonal, locally sourced, and cooked with real care. The menu shifts with what's available, the wine list punches above its weight, and the room has a warmth you can't manufacture. Book ahead. Then book again for the night after.
LE GULCH
Once a seafood factory and then a winery, Le Gulch now celebrates its history with an invitation to sip wine by the seaside. A curated list of rare and back-vintage wines sits alongside well-loved local tipples, all complemented by a seasonal snack menu that puts Tasmanian oysters, cheese and charcuterie firmly in the spotlight they deserve. Oh, and the views are the kind you’d pay to hang on your wall - here, they’re free.
BICHENO BEAMS
A recent addition to the east coast’s winter calendar, Bicheno Beams returns for its sixth year in 2026, running every night from Saturday 27 June to Saturday 25 July. The annual light and sound spectacular kicks off at at 6:30pm at Lions Park each night. And, with two different shows on alternate nights, you can soak in this family-friendly feast for the senses over and over again.
Bicheno Beams (image: Adam Reibel)
