Tasmania East Coast Road Trip: Lavender Fields, Bay of Fires & Wineglass Bay (Aus Part 8)

Introduction

Geelong.

Today was the day we finally picked up the car. After weeks of buses, trains, and relying on other people’s schedules, this suddenly felt like freedom.

Our own car.
Our own music.
Our own route.

Of course the first thing we did was connect the Bluetooth so we could blast music while driving. Priorities.

The plan was simple: pick up the car, drive to our Airbnb in Geelong, sleep, and start the real roadtrip the next day.

Naturally… nothing went exactly according to plan.

Spirit of Tasmania ferry crossing from Geelong to Tasmania with ocean views during the start of our road trip.

Main adventure

After the ferry crossing we drove for about an hour to our first hostel in Tasmania, or at least that’s what we thought it was.

When we arrived, the place looked a little strange. It felt more like a random building with a few older men hanging around than an actual hostel. The vibe was slightly uncomfortable from the start, and at one point we even noticed a guy filming Mara, which made the whole situation even weirder.

By then we were already exhausted and it was getting late. Around 9 PM we were still standing outside trying to figure out how to get inside.

We tried calling the number from the booking confirmation, but no one answered. For a moment we genuinely had no idea what to do, so we just kept trying and hoping for the best.

Eventually we managed to find a number for a night manager and called him. After explaining the situation he helped us get access to the building and finally into our room.

After such a long day, all I wanted was clean clothes, so I decided to quickly do some laundry. Naturally, I managed to forget half my clothes in the laundry room and locked myself out of the building.

Which meant I had to call the same guy again to let me back in.

At that point I could only laugh at myself.

Backpacker life at its finest.

The next morning we had a simple breakfast and left early.

Our first real stop was the lavender fields. Entry was $20, which felt a bit expensive, but once we walked through the endless purple rows it was honestly beautiful.

The smell of lavender was everywhere and the hills around it made the whole place look like something from a movie.

From there we drove to Little Blue Lake.

The name couldn’t be more accurate. The water was an incredibly bright blue, almost unreal.

It wasn’t very big, but it was still worth the stop.

After that we started driving towards Bay of Fires, which had been on our list from the beginning.

After that we started driving towards Bay of Fires, which had been high on our list from the beginning. Reception was terrible almost everywhere, so at one point we actually had to sit outside a bank just to use their WiFi and check the map to figure out where we could sleep that night.

Eventually we found a free campsite near St. Helens and arrived just before sunset.

Only when we got there did we realize something important.

There was no water.

No tap, no shop, nothing. And by that point we had already driven too far to go back.

So we walked over to three random guys at the campsite and asked if they maybe had some water we could use. Luckily they did and gave us three bottles so we could survive the night. Moments like that really remind you how kind strangers can be.

The next morning we continued the roadtrip towards Bicheno.

The next morning we continued our road trip towards Bicheno. When we arrived we walked straight into a hostel and asked if they still had beds available for the night. Luckily they did, which felt like a small miracle.

After checking in we headed to the beach because apparently you can sometimes see penguins there in the evening. We waited for quite a while, hoping to spot one, but unfortunately no penguins showed up that night. Still, the beach at sunset was peaceful and beautiful in its own way.

Before heading back we also stopped by the blowhole, where waves crash into the rocks and shoot water up through a hole in the cliffs. It’s a simple thing, but surprisingly fascinating to watch.

The next day we drove towards Wineglass Bay.

At the information center we found a campsite where we could stay for $15 for the two of us.

And honestly… it turned out to be the most beautiful campsite of the entire trip.

Mountains, ocean, and the most incredible sunset.

For a moment everything felt completely quiet.

Until the mosquitoes arrived.

At some point it became impossible to sit outside anymore, so we eventually gave up and spent the rest of the evening hiding inside the car. Not exactly the romantic sunset moment we had imagined, but definitely a funny memory now.

Another funny part of that time was how we survived food-wise. Because we hadn’t bought any proper camping gear yet, cooking wasn’t really an option. Most days we basically lived on bread with cheese and tomatoes… and an impressive amount of cookies.

Freycinet National Park also became our little reading spot. While we were there I finished the book Three Wishes, and afterwards Mara and I started reading Verity together. Since we spent so many evenings sitting in the car, often with no reception and phones that were completely empty because we could only charge them when the car was running, Mara would read the book out loud to me. Those quiet evenings in the car slowly turned into our little road trip routine.

The next morning we planned to hike to Wineglass Bay, which we had been really excited about.

But when we woke up the weather had completely changed. Grey clouds covered the sky, rain started falling, and the view had completely disappeared.

We didn’t want to give up immediately, so we went to a small coffee place and waited there for a few hours, hoping the weather would improve.

Unfortunately, it didn’t.

Eventually we accepted defeat and decided to continue our journey.

Next stop: Hobart.

Tips & Tricks

Things to Do / Places to Visit

Bridestowe Lavender Estate
Famous lavender fields in Tasmania. Endless purple rows across the hills and the smell of lavender everywhere. It costs about $20 entry, but it’s a beautiful stop if you like photography or scenic views.

Little Blue Lake
A very small lake, but the color of the water is unbelievably bright blue. It’s a quick stop (10–15 minutes is enough), but definitely worth seeing if you’re driving nearby.

Bay of Fires
One of the most beautiful coastal areas in Tasmania. White sand beaches, turquoise water, and the famous orange rocks. Perfect for roadtrip stops, short walks, and sunset views.

St. Helens
A small coastal town that works well as a base when exploring Bay of Fires. You’ll find supermarkets, fuel stations, and some campsites nearby.

Bicheno
Cute coastal town known for wildlife and ocean views. A relaxed stop during a Tasmania east coast roadtrip.

Bicheno Blowhole
A natural blowhole where waves crash into the rocks and push water through a hole in the cliffs. Quick stop but surprisingly fun to watch, especially when the ocean is rough.

Wineglass Bay
One of Tasmania’s most famous views. The curved white beach surrounded by mountains makes it one of the most photographed places in the state.

Freycinet National Park
Beautiful national park with beaches, hikes, and campsites. Great place to stay overnight if you want to explore the area properly.

Other tips & Tricks

Spirit of Tasmania ferry:
The ferry between Geelong and Tasmania can get expensive if you book late. Try to book early, especially if you’re bringing a car.

Free campsite apps:
There are several apps that show free campsites, facilities, and reviews from other travelers. Very useful in Tasmania where many campsites are remote. Popular ones backpackers use include:

WikiCamps Australia
CamperMate
iOverlander

They often show things like water availability, toilets, reception, and whether camping is allowed.

Always bring water to campsites:
Many free campsites around St. Helens and the east coast have no running water at all. Always carry extra bottles in the car.

Reception in Tasmania:
Phone signal disappears quickly outside towns. Download maps offline before driving.

Penguins in Bicheno:
Penguins sometimes appear at night near the beach in Bicheno, but sightings aren’t guaranteed. Sunset is usually the best time to try.

Mosquito warning:
Camping near Freycinet National Park can mean lots of mosquitoes, especially near sunset. Bring strong repellent if you want to enjoy the evening outside.

Weather changes fast:
Tasmania weather can switch quickly from sunshine to rain. If a view like Wineglass Bay is cloudy, sometimes waiting a few hours helps… sometimes it doesn’t.

Roadtrip mindset:
Tasmania roadtrips require flexibility. Campsites may have no facilities, reception can disappear, and plans often change, but that’s also what makes the experience memorable.

Reflection

This part of the trip had a bit of everything.

Lavender fields.
Bright blue lakes.
Free campsites with no water.
Beautiful coastlines.
And evenings hiding from mosquitoes in the car.

Tasmania felt wild and unpredictable, sometimes chaotic, sometimes breathtaking.

But those unexpected moments are usually the ones you remember the most.

Wherever I am next, I’m learning that even chaos can feel like a beginning.

Liked this story? Read chapter 9. Because trust me… it didn’t end there.

OR start from the beginning: Australia Travel Diary part 1.

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