Things to Do in Bicheno: Beyond the Blowhole
Everyone knows about the Blowhole.
Then there are the little penguins, East Coast Natureworld, Redbill Beach, glass-bottom boat rides and the beautiful coastline around Governor Island Marine Reserve. These experiences rightly appear on lists of the best things to do in Bicheno.
Bicheno also makes a great base for bigger East Coast adventures, including Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay.
But what about the places you don't necessarily discover until you've been in town for a few days?
The tiny coffee spot where locals gather in the morning. A brewery hidden behind the bakery. Whisky matured metres from the ocean. An old-fashioned general store that seems to sell just about everything. Or somewhere great for local seafood.
We looked through what our guests have told us after staying at Cooinda, including the places they discovered, experiences they enjoyed and recommendations they thought other visitors should know about.
We've combined their suggestions with some of our own local knowledge to bring you a guide to the other Bicheno. These are the businesses, places and experiences that can be easy to miss when you're rushing from one major attraction to the next.
Start the morning at Gather Espresso
There are coffee shops you visit because they're nearby, and then there are those that feel like part of a town. Gather Espresso is one of the latter.
It's a small local coffee spot where you'll find visitors alongside Bicheno locals starting their day. One thing our guests mention repeatedly about Cooinda is how easy it is to leave the car behind and explore Bicheno's cafés, restaurants and shops on foot.
What our guests say
Robert summed up one of the advantages of the location:
“It was walking distance to cafes and the beach was right at the doorstep.”
Sean similarly mentioned being within:
“walking distance from the local shops and cafes”, while Rachael loved being “within walking distance to many great cafes + restaurants.”
Our advice? Don't grab a takeaway and immediately get back in the car. Have your coffee, slow down and see what's happening around town.
Save another morning for Peggy's
There's no rule saying you have to find one favourite café. Peggy's is another Burgess Street spot worth adding to your Bicheno list, particularly if you're looking for coffee accompanied by something to eat.
Bicheno's own Food & Wine Festival foodie guide has recommended Peggy's for coffee, cakes, baguettes and salad bowls. It's another name worth knowing if you're spending more than a night in town.
What the locals say
Burgess Street is worth walking rather than driving through. Get your coffee and explore the centre of town on foot.
Some of Bicheno's most interesting small businesses are easy to miss when you're driving from one major attraction to the next.
Find the brewery behind the bakery
Here's the kind of local discovery we particularly like. There's a brewery in Bicheno. Behind the bakery.
Bicheno Beer Co. opened in 2025 and produces small-batch beers with names inspired by the surrounding coastline. The brewery is tucked behind Blue Edge Bakery. Finding it feels like you've been given a local tip rather than followed a giant tourist sign. It isn't a huge destination brewery that needs half a day. That's part of the appeal. Find it. Try a local beer. Continue with your afternoon.
What the locals say
Look behind the bakery.That's it.
Sometimes the best local advice doesn't need an entire paragraph.
Drink whisky made beside the sea
This one isn't quite a secret anymore. But it is unmistakably Bicheno. Waubs Harbour Whisky produces Tasmanian single malt whisky in a converted oyster hatchery beside the ocean at Waubs Harbour.
The location isn't simply a nice backdrop for visitors. The maritime environment is part of the story, with the distillery sitting metres from the sea. Visitors can book a tasting, learn about the whisky and look out across the same coastline where it is made and matured.
What the locals say
Give this one some time. Don't squeeze a whisky tasting between two other attractions. Make it an afternoon experience, organise how you're getting home and enjoy the setting as much as the whisky.
It's the sort of experience that's much easier to enjoy when Bicheno is your base rather than another stop on the day's drive.
Visit the shop that apparently sells everything
Every good small town needs one. In Bicheno, it's the Log Cabin General Store. This isn't a polished tourist attraction. It's an old-fashioned general store with an eclectic mix of useful things, unexpected things and things you didn't know you needed.
Hardware. Homewares. Gifts. Plants. Everyday supplies. It's the kind of place that's easy to miss if you're only in Bicheno to see the headline attractions.
What the locals say
Go in even if you don't need anything. That's half the fun.
Find something made here
A souvenir doesn't have to be something mass-produced with Tasmania printed across it. Spend some time in Bicheno's smaller shops and you may take home something that feels much more connected to the place you've actually visited. Bicheno Makers Creators brings together locally made pieces and gifts, while ISLANDER art home fashion is another place to browse art, homewares and fashion. There's also Long Point Surf Shop, which feels entirely appropriate in a town where the ocean is such a big part of everyday life.
These aren't attractions that require an itinerary. Drop in after coffee. Wander through on your way somewhere else. Finding something you weren't actually looking for is part of the point.
What the locals say
Buy something that reminds you of Bicheno, not simply Tasmania.
Local art, something made nearby or a bottle produced on the East Coast will probably mean more when you get home than another generic souvenir.
Eat seafood in a fishing town
There are few better places to eat seafood than somewhere with a genuine connection to the people catching it. Lobster Shack Tasmania sits at the Gulch and has become one of Bicheno's best-known places for seafood.
The setting is appropriately uncomplicated. It's casual seafood overlooking the water in a town with a long fishing history. This one also comes with a direct recommendation from someone who stayed with us
What our guests say
Peta's recommendation was very clear: “Definitely try out the Lobster Shack.”
She also recommended exploring the coastline and Bicheno's nearby nine-hole golf course. That's exactly the kind of recommendation we love. It's something discovered while actually spending time here rather than simply following a standard itinerary.
Discover East Coast wine without leaving Bicheno
You don't necessarily have to spend an entire day driving between cellar doors to discover the wines of Tasmania's East Coast.
The Farm Shed East Coast Wine Centre in Bicheno brings together wines from producers across the region, making it an easy place to discover what the East Coast is producing. It's particularly useful if you're interested in smaller producers, want some advice about what to try or simply want to find a bottle to enjoy during your stay.
What the locals say
Ask what you won't find at home.
Instead of automatically choosing a label you already recognise, ask about smaller East Coast producers or what's particularly good at the moment. You might leave with a much better story to go with the bottle.
Play nine holes somewhere you probably weren't expecting
Golf probably wasn't the first thing that came to mind when you started planning a Bicheno holiday. One of our guests thinks it deserves a spot on the list.
What our guests say
Peta's recommendation:
“The 9 hole golf course nearby if you get the chance - a top notch country course.”
It's precisely the kind of recommendation we want to share in this guide. It's somewhere a guest discovered while staying here that probably wasn't on their original East Coast itinerary.
Peta also suggested “the walk over the rocks around the point”. Sometimes exploring what's immediately around you is more rewarding than driving somewhere famous.
See Bicheno's wild side
Not everything beyond the Blowhole involves eating, drinking or shopping. Bicheno's wildlife is one of the reasons people remember the town. East Coast Natureworld gives visitors the opportunity to encounter Tasmanian devils and other native wildlife, while Bicheno's little penguins provide an entirely different experience after dark.
These aren't recommendations we've simply lifted from a tourism brochure. Our guests are actually doing them.
What our guests say
After staying with their family, Danapat told us they enjoyed:
“Bicheno Penguin tour at dusk and Tassie's devil encounters at NatureWorld.”
Another guest, Alica, told us her girls loved:
“venturing out to watch the penguins at night.”
The local tip here is simple. Don't fill every evening before you arrive.
Bicheno changes after dark.
Keep looking at the water
Sometimes one of Bicheno's best wildlife experiences doesn't require a booking at all. Our guests regularly talk about the view from Cooinda, but some have spotted considerably more than waves.
What our guests say
Victoria's family had a particularly memorable experience:
“Seeing whales and dolphins from the deck was the cherry on top!”
Elizabeth had another extraordinary stay:
“Every morning we saw the dolphins frolicking in front of the house.”
Kate also told us:
“We enjoyed watching dolphins from the deck!”
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, of course. But particularly during whale migration periods, there's a good reason to occasionally stop what you're doing and look towards the horizon.
Use Bicheno as your base for something bigger
One of the advantages of staying in Bicheno for several days is that you don't have to choose between enjoying the town and exploring more of Tasmania's East Coast.
Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay are close enough for a day trip, while Douglas-Apsley National Parkoffers another completely different landscape nearby. Our guests have discovered this too.
What our guests say
Ryan described Cooinda as:
“a great base for accessing wine glass Bay and all of the wonderful walks around that area.”
Danapat's family also explored Freycinet during their stay and finished their review with something we hear surprisingly often:
“We wish we could stay longer to explore more places and relax in this peaceful house.”
And Jay, who stayed with his family, noted that Freycinet National Park was around a 30-minute drive away before adding:
“Wish we booked for longer.”
That's probably one of the best arguments for not treating Bicheno as an overnight stop.
Sometimes the best thing to do is stay close to home
There's another theme that appears repeatedly in our guest reviews. You don't always need to go looking for an attraction. Waubs Beach is right here. Guests swim, walk the rocks, watch wildlife and wander into town without necessarily planning any of it.
What our guests say
Kateena described exactly the sort of Bicheno morning we love:
“We enjoyed popping down to the beach for a chilly morning swim or walk along the rocks.”
Alica's family combined the beach with exploring the town:
“Easy walking distance to the cafes and shops in Bicheno, the most pristine beach on your doorstep.”
And Danny probably summed up the location best:
“Walk down through the dunes for a swim at a patrolled beach.”
Sometimes the best things to do in Bicheno are the things you don't need to organise at all.
Keep an eye on what's new
One of the advantages of talking to locals and other guests is finding out about places that haven't made it into the traditional travel guides yet.
Bicheno's food, drink and retail scene continues to change, with new operators joining businesses that have been part of the town for years. That's why we don't want this guide to become a static list.
What the locals say
Ask what's good right now.
Opening days change. Menus change. Food vans move. New businesses appear.
Ask what's fresh.
Ask what's local.
Ask what has opened recently.
And when you're staying at Cooinda, ask us.
Don't follow this guide too closely
This might sound like a strange thing for us to say. But don't treat this list as another itinerary. Some of the best recommendations we've received haven't come from a tourism brochure or a ranking. They've come from our guests. Someone finds a great coffee.
Someone else tells us about a meal they loved. Another guest discovers a golf course, a walk or a small business we'd never thought to mention. Those conversations become part of our local knowledge, and now we can pass some of it on to you.
What the locals say
Instead of asking:
“What's the best restaurant in Bicheno?”
Try:
“Where would you go tonight?”
It's a small difference in the question.
You may get a much more interesting answer.
Stay long enough to discover your own Bicheno
The Blowhole isn't going anywhere. Neither are Redbill Beach, the penguins, East Coast Natureworld or nearby Douglas-Apsley National Park. And if you're staying longer, there's always another day for Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. They're absolutely worth experiencing.
But the memories from a few days in Bicheno can also be smaller ones. Finding a brewery hidden behind a bakery. Discovering your morning coffee place. Walking into a quirky local shop and coming out with something you didn't know you needed. Drinking whisky made beside the ocean. Eating seafood in a fishing town. Finding an East Coast wine you'd never tried before. Playing nine holes at a little country golf course someone told you about.
Watching for dolphins from the deck. And finding somewhere so good that you end up recommending it to us before you leave. That's the Bicheno we're interested in sharing.
So when you stay at Cooinda, tell us what you discover.
Your recommendation might just find its way into the next edition of our local guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bicheno has some great local seafood and casual dining options. Lobster Shack Tasmania at the Gulch is well known for Tasmanian seafood overlooking the water, while Bicheno also has smaller cafés and food businesses worth discovering.
It's also one recommendation that's come directly from a Cooinda guest:
“Definitely try out the Lobster Shack.”
Our tip is to ask what's fresh and where locals are eating while you're in town. Some of our best recommendations come from guests sharing what they've discovered during their stay.
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Gather Espresso and Peggy's are two Bicheno coffee spots worth trying.
Gather is a small local favourite, while Peggy's on Burgess Street is a good option for coffee accompanied by breakfast or something light to eat.
Cooinda guests also regularly mention being able to walk to Bicheno's cafés, restaurants and shops. One described Cooinda as:
“walking distance to cafes and the beach was right at the doorstep.”
So you don't necessarily need to get into the car just to find your morning coffee.
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Yes. Bicheno Beer Co. is a small local brewery that opened in 2025 and produces small-batch beers inspired by the surrounding coastline.
Here's the local tip: look behind Blue Edge Bakery.
That's where you'll find it.
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Yes. Waubs Harbour Whisky produces Tasmanian single malt whisky beside the ocean at Waubs Harbour.
The distillery operates from a converted oyster hatchery just metres from the sea and offers whisky tasting experiences. It's one of Bicheno's most distinctive local food and drink experiences.
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Try Bicheno Makers Creators for locally made pieces and gifts.
It's also worth spending some time exploring the smaller businesses around Burgess Street, including ISLANDER art home fashion.
Our advice is to choose something made locally or connected specifically to Bicheno rather than a generic Tasmania souvenir.
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Beyond the Bicheno Blowhole, popular things to do include seeing Bicheno's little penguins, visiting East Coast Natureworld to encounter Tasmanian devils and other native wildlife, exploring Redbill Beach and the coastline around Governor Island Marine Reserve, and taking a glass-bottom boat ride to discover Bicheno's marine environment.
Nearby Douglas-Apsley National Park is another option if you want to explore beyond the coast.
Our own guests have particularly enjoyed the Bicheno Penguin Tour and Natureworld. One family described their activities as:
“Bicheno Penguin tour at dusk and Tassie's devil encounters at NatureWorld.”
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Yes. Bicheno is well known for its little penguins, and the Bicheno Penguin Tour offers a dedicated guided experience after dark.
Cooinda guests have also told us about heading out to watch penguins during their stay. One family said their girls loved:
“venturing out to watch the penguins at night.”
As with all wildlife, sightings outside organised experiences can't be guaranteed, but keeping an eye out after dark is part of the Bicheno experience.
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Yes. Whales migrate along Tasmania's East Coast seasonally, while dolphins can also be seen around the Bicheno coastline.
Several Cooinda guests have reported seeing dolphins from the property. One family told us:
“Seeing whales and dolphins from the deck was the cherry on top!”
Another guest reported seeing dolphins every morning during their stay.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but it's always worth keeping an eye on the water.
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Bicheno makes a great base for exploring Tasmania's East Coast.
Spend time discovering Bicheno's beaches, wildlife and local businesses, then take a day trip to Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay or explore Douglas-Apsley National Park.