Attractions

The Giants of the Hartz Mountains. Some of the tallest trees in the world grow in southern Tasmania. Walk amongst the canopies of these magnificent giants! Tahune AirWalk is a must see attraction with breathtaking views of the Hartz Mountains, swinging bridges & Land of the Giants like mystique. There’s a full day of fun for the whole family. Don’t forget to stop in to the Geeveston Heritage Centre beforehand. Smuggles Rest accommodation is a great base for Tahune Airwalk

Take a scenic train ride into past centuries on an old timber railroad. Visit breathtaking coastlines and lakes, take advantage of the fresh air and photo opportunities of the open carriages. Ida Bay Railway is on the way south towards Cockle Creek, the South Cape Bay walking track & quite close to Hastings Caves.

Ida Bay Railway and Hastings Caves can be a day trip if you base yourself at Smugglers Rest, your Ida Bay Railway Accommodation!

Adventure Bay and Magical Bruny Island Cruises

A must do in the deep south of Tasmania. Tasmania's leading wilderness and wildlife adventure cruise, winner of Tasmania's Best Tourist Attraction multiple Times and voted one of the greatest 100 Trips of the world!. Hop aboard a trip to the edge of the earth where you'll see spitting blowholes, dark ocean caves, natural bridges, enormous cliffs, giant seaweed, and plenty of seals!

Bruny Island Cruise is a scenic day trip from Smugglers rest accommodation.

Please check with our friendly reception for details.

Located in Geeveston, the Heritage Centre is a great pit stop on the way to Tahune AirWalk. Did you know Huon Pine only grows in this small area of the world ..and can grow to be 3,000 years old! Learn about the old ways of forestry with real historic machinery and equipment. The varieties of timber and how Tasmanian forestry are conserving this special resource.

The end of the Road. Take a drive to the end of the road in Australia at Cockle Creek! Observe stunning scenery with a deep dark history. This quiet place is akin to the Whitsunday’s cold, bearded, fisherman brother. Take a hike to South Cape Bay if your feeling adventurous or a shorter beach walk to Fisher’s Point. This little slice of Australian history is absolutely breathtaking! Smugglers rest is a comfortable accommodation option for Cockle Creek. Book Today!

Dover’s Very Own Winery and Vineyard

Located in Dover, Smugglers rest offers accommodation close to St Imre Vineyard. St Imre is a boutique eco-friendy winery/cafe siting on 5 acres planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and many more varieties. Enjoy great wine, food, coffee, cakes and art/craft works complete with a stunning view.

One of the Great Walks of Tasmania

Part of the South Coast Walking Track and starting at Cockle Creek this walk heads right into the southwest wilderness. Soak up the vast open spaces and colourful wildflowers with mountains in the distance while slowly venturing into tighter thicker forests and eventually popping out at just about the most southern point in Australia! This is a spectacular walk and well worth the effort. Don’t forget to spend some time discovering Cockle Creek and Fisher’s Point, if you start your day early enough! South Cape Bay accommodation in comfort - Smugglers Rest!

Intermediate, 6 Hrs Return

A Short Walk from Cockle Creek

This track takes you from Cockle Creek’s bronze whale statue to the remains of an old whaling station in a distant forgotten bay.

It’s a casual walk along the beach and over rocky headlands, you may get your feet wet near high tide!

Easy, Intermediate, 3 Hrs Return

A Flooded Cave in the Hartz Mountains

A calm stroll to a picturesque lake at the foot of Adamson’s Peak. Duckhole Lake is actually a flooded sinkhole which is part of a huge underground cave system. See playful platypus at the lake and mysterious streams that disappear into the under-earth on the walk home! Smuggles Rest is the perfect accommodation for the Duckhole Lake walking track!

Easy, 2.5 Hrs return

A slippery, muddy hike through damp forest with a rainforest under-storey to a spectacular 70+ meter waterfall with water flowing down from Adamson’s Peak after rain. Follow the trees marked with ties and keep an eye on the sometimes disappearing track. This walk is also known for Lyrebird activity. Best not to wear your new runners for this one!

Intermediate 5Hrs , Return

Roam above the cloud line! This is a long climb with spectacular views over Dover Bay and the Esperance region. Duckhole lake can also be seen on the southern side as well as the Southport lagoon. A more serious track with a strong incline amongst a dense, tall forest. Summit altitude reaches 1226 meters. Set aside a full day for this one and be careful as the tracks down here are not always well maintained. Smugglers Rest is the perfect accommodation for Adamson’s Peak.

Difficult, 8hrs Return

A stunning beach just around the corner

A pristine beach just around the corner from Smugglers Rest.

The perfect beach for a morning stroll with white sand and crystal clear water. View salmon pens along the way and continue past Roaring Beach along the winding bay road to Huon Aquaculture, one of the two salmon farming companies in the region.

Tassal and Huon Aquaculture

Seen from almost every bay vista are the salmon pens of Esperance Bay. Run by Huon Aquaculture and Tassal the Atlantic salmon from these pens supplies Coles and Woolworths Australia wide.

Shuck your own wild oysters!

Feel like shucking some large wild oysters for a snack? Just on the other side of the bay are plenty of wild oysters growing in calm water just short of one of Tassal’s salmon farms.

Please ask at reception for directions.