Tassie’s five best boat destinations
Head down to Australia’s southernmost state to discover a fishing mecca.
Australia is a great country for boating, thanks to our massive coastline and numerous inland waterways. There are countless locations free from crowds with untouched beaches and idyllic settings, with many of them only accessible by boat. On top of that, our diverse marine environment offers limitless world-class fishing and diving opportunities. With approximately 60,000km of coastline, however, it can be hard to narrow down exactly where to explore first.
As Australia’s only island state, it makes sense that Tasmania is teeming with stunning locations to take the boat and soak in the scenery. If you’re lucky enough to own a boat, Tasmania should definitely be on your list. Whether you’ve taken the boat out to soak in the serenity, play on the water or catch some world-class fish, Tassie is the place to be. With so many ideal places for boating, it’s hard to name just a few as the ‘best’, but we’ve narrowed our list to the top five for the purpose of this article.
Keep in mind that it can get a bit chilly in Tasmania, so it’s best to visit during the warmer months of summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) and the shouldering months.
Hobart
You can’t take a boat to Tasmania without visiting the state’s capital, Hobart. Its rich and storied nautical history makes it the ideal destination for all boaters. The Derwent River holds the finish line for the famous Sydney to Hobart yacht race but is a popular body of water for recreational sailors year-round.
Boating is such a massive part of Tassie culture that each February Hobart hosts the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, which highlights the traditional methods of boat building while allowing onlookers to get a glimpse of some truly magnificent vessels. If you’re keen to just cruise around the day, there are few better places.
If fishing is your reason for visiting these beautiful waters, there are many species on offer. Try your luck for wrasse, jackass morwong, blue grenadier, barracuda, salmon, trout, mullet and cod. However, due to the estuary being a Shark Refuge Area the taking of sharks, rays, skates and elephant fish is forbidden.
Pirates Bay
Pirates Bay, a large bay to the east of Eaglehawk Neck, not too far from Hobart, is one of the most famous locations in Tasmania. It offers a spectacular combination of sandy beaches and rocky coastline, with some intense high cliffs. Whether you’re in the area to surf some fun waves or drop a line, Pirates Bay is the perfect location for the whole family.
If you’re headed to Pirates Bay for fishing, you’re in luck, as a gateway to internationally recognised game fishing waters, many species can be caught here, ranging from Australian salmon, mackerel and bluefin tuna to calamari squid, mako shark and swordfish. Be sure to check online regarding fishing or bag limit restrictions first, as goes for all locations mentioned.
Tamar River
The Tamar River opens onto the Bass Strait with Tasmania’s largest estuary and heads inland to Launceston. Tamar is an idyllic location for casual cruising, sightseeing and on-and-off style trips, drawing many sailors and powerboaters throughout the year. The river passes a whole host of small towns where boaters can tie up and step off to explore. Not to mention, the Tamar Valley is home to a number of award-winning wineries — many of which are accessible by boat.
If fishing is your main draw to this area, the prized fish of the Tamar is the monster snapper that lurks in deeper water a little way in from the heads. Many other species can also be caught in these waters from squid to yellowtail kingfish.
Bruny Island
Sitting on Tassie’s south-east coast is the stunning location of Bruny Island. This area is a sanctuary free from crowds, so if you’re after a quieter time with tranquil sounds of birds and crystal-clear waters, then Bruny Island is for you. After you’ve docked, you can try a number of delicacies at the many vineyards, cheesemakers, chocolatiers, apple orchards and berry farms in the area.
The best time to visit is during summertime, when winds are minimal, and the temperatures are pleasant. If fishing is your reason for visiting, you might be lucky enough to catch some flathead, school shark, morwong, mackerel, mullet, cod and even the occasional Atlantic salmon.
Huon River
The Huon River, Tasmania’s fifth-largest river at 174km long, is a peaceful location to take your friends or family. Located in the south-west and south-east regions of Tasmania, the Huon River is perfect for those looking for somewhere to totally disconnect. Its large area allows for little boat traffic, so if you’re new to boating or want to try an inland waterway first, this river is ideal.
Fishing is at its best during spring in the Huon River. This is when sea-run trout and resident brown trout are chasing whitebait that tend to swim up along the edge of the main current. You might also catch some rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and bream, among other species.
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