Top 5 Things to Do in Bicheno Tasmania
When you stay at Cooinda on the Beach, you’re already on one of Tasmania’s most beautiful coastlines. Waubs Beach stretches right from your doorstep, offering soft white sand, turquoise water, and the gentle rhythm of waves rolling in. It’s the kind of beach where you can start the day with a sunrise swim, wander barefoot along the shoreline in the afternoon, and return in the evening for a glass of wine under the stars.
But Waubs Beach is only the beginning. Bicheno is a small town with a big reputation for wildlife, natural wonders, and local flavour. Visitors love it because everything feels close and accessible, making it the perfect base for couples, families, and solo travellers alike. Here are the Top 5 Things to Do in Bicheno — all within minutes of your luxury beachfront stay at Cooinda.
Quick List
Watch the Little Penguins – magical sunset tours (4 min walk / 300 m)
Visit the Bicheno Blowhole – dramatic spray and granite coastline (5 min drive / 1 km / 15 min walk)
Walk Redbill Beach & Diamond Island – surf, sand, and penguins (10 min walk / 1 km)
Snorkel or Dive Governor Island Marine Reserve – Tasmania’s underwater wonder (5–10 min to operators)
Taste Seafood at The Gulch – lobster and abalone fresh off the boats (5 min walk / 400 m)
Watch the Little Penguins
Location: Bicheno Penguin Tours, 70 Burgess Street – 4 min walk (300 m) from Cooinda.
At dusk, little penguins waddle ashore after a day at sea. Guided tours use soft red lights so you can see them clearly without disturbing their natural behaviour.
Why It’s Famous: This is one of Tasmania’s most magical wildlife encounters. Families love the excitement of seeing penguins shuffle past, while couples and photographers often describe it as the highlight of their trip.
What to Bring: A warm jacket, flat shoes, and a sense of quiet curiosity - no torches or flashes are allowed, as the guides provide all you need.
Visit the Bicheno Blowhole
Location: Southern end of the Esplanade, Douglas Street junction – 1 km (5 min drive / 15 min walk) from Cooinda.
The Bicheno Blowhole is nature’s version of a fountain. Waves crash into the granite coastline, forcing water through a narrow crack in the rock and sending a plume metres into the air.
Why It’s Famous: It’s free, easy to access, and spectacular in almost any weather. On calm days the spray creates rainbow effects; in wild seas it’s powerful and dramatic. The nearby Bicheno Foreshore Walking Track connects the Blowhole to Waubs Bay and Whaler’s Lookout, making it a great coastal walk.
What to Bring: A camera, non-slip shoes, and maybe a rain jacket - depending on how close you stand, you might get sprayed!
Redbill Beach & Diamond Island
Location: About 1 km (10 min walk / 2 min drive) from Cooinda.
Redbill Beach is one of Bicheno’s most loved beaches. It’s long, open, and popular with surfers and walkers. At low tide, a sandbar appears, letting you walk across to Diamond Island, home to seabirds and a penguin colony.
Why It’s Famous: Few places let you stroll to an island as the tide shifts. The combination of wide sandy beach, rolling surf, and wildlife makes it a favourite for surfers, walkers, and nature lovers.
What to Bring: Check tide times before heading out. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and sandals you don’t mind getting wet on the walk across.
Governor Island Marine Reserve
Location: Offshore from central Bicheno – 5–10 min to dive/snorkel operators in town, then a short boat ride.
This marine reserve is renowned for its kelp forests, colourful sponges, and diverse fish life. Divers may spot weedy seadragons, wrasse, and even fur seals, while snorkellers enjoy excellent visibility close to shore.
Why It’s Famous: Governor Island is considered one of Australia’s best cold-water dive sites. Its biodiversity attracts scientists, photographers, and adventurers from around the world. Glass bottom boat tours are also available for those who prefer to stay dry but still want to glimpse Bicheno’s underwater world.
What to Bring: Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and if you’re diving, your certification card. Equipment is available locally if you don’t bring your own.
Taste Seafood at The Gulch
Location: The Gulch fishing harbour – 400 m (5 min walk) from Cooinda.
The Gulch is Bicheno’s small but lively fishing harbour. Colourful boats bob in the water, unloading catches of southern rock lobster, abalone, and fresh fish. Several seafood shacks and eateries line the wharf, including the well-known Lobster Shack.
Why It’s Famous: Bicheno is one of Tasmania’s lobster capitals, and there’s no better place to taste it than straight from the source. Pair your seafood feast with a bottle of wine from local vineyards such as Devils Corner, Milton, or Spring Vale (all within a 20-minute drive). Guests at Cooinda often collect their seafood from The Gulch and enjoy it back on their deck overlooking Waubs Bay.
What to Bring: Cash or card for takeaway seafood, an appetite, and perhaps a picnic basket to carry your feast back to your beachfront deck at Cooinda.
Notable Mentions: More to Discover Around Bicheno
If you have extra time during your stay, Bicheno has even more to offer:
Douglas-Apsley National Park – inland (15 min drive), with waterfalls, swimming holes, and bushwalks through eucalyptus forest.
East Coast Natureworld – just 7 min drive, a wildlife sanctuary where you can see Tasmanian devils and other native animals.
Freycinet National Park – less than 30 min south, home to Wineglass Bay and the pink granite Hazards mountains.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours – depart from the town foreshore, great for families wanting to view marine life.
Farm Shed East Coast Wine Centre – in town, a one-stop tasting hub for the region’s local wines.
Whaler’s Lookout – a short uphill walk (5 min drive from Cooinda) with panoramic views over Waubs Bay, Redbill Beach, and the township.
Bicheno Foreshore Walk – links Waubs Bay, The Gulch, and the Blowhole for an easy scenic coastal stroll.
Where to Stay
From penguins and blowholes to seafood and coastal walks, Bicheno offers a mix of relaxation and adventure that few towns can match. Staying at Cooinda on the Beach means Waubs Beach is right outside your door. All of Bicheno’s best attractions are just minutes away.
Whether you’re here for a romantic escape, a family holiday, or simply to recharge by the sea, Cooinda offers a rare mix of privacy, design, and natural beauty on Tasmania’s east coast.