Near Dodges Ferry |Hazard Rating:Low | Parking: Varied | from Hobart: 24 km | Length: 2 km | Faces: West into Tiger Head Bay
A protected beach in Dodges Ferry. The south end is great for kids to explore magical rock pools containing all sorts of sea life. Often has lots of birdlife.
Interesting rock formations and a shallow beach make it great to learn snorkeling. I have spent many hours with my children exploring the beach and rocks.
Named after Ernest Okines who leased the property in 1923 and purchased it in 1942. Views of Seven Mile Beach often with spectacular sunsets.
Situated towards the end of South Arm road this is a picturesque well protected beach great for kids. Okay access with shops nearby.
Good boat ramp with jetty for swimming, jumping and fishing.
Named after the American sloop ‘Opossum’ which was chartered by the government under Harbour-Master Capt. John Welsh to conduct numerous surveys in the River Derwent and River Huon in 1827. Opossum if a North American marsupial a bit similar to our possum.
Hazard Rating: 2-3/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 80 km | Faces: SE into Prosser Bay | Length: ~ 1km
Original people: The original inhabitants of the Orford area were the Paredarerme, also known as the Oyster Bay tribe. Historians estimate that they were the largest of the Tasmanian tribes. They tended to migrate inland during the warmer months but stayed on the coast in autumn and winter.
Raspins \ Orford Beach is just north of Orford on the east coast of Tasmania. A great beach – ideal for families, with views of Toarra-Marra-Monah (Maria Island).
It starts as ‘Raspins’ on the north end and blends into ‘Orford Beach’ to the south, ending at the Prosser Rivermouth. Toilets mid beach and good parking from several entry points along its length. Alas, although I spent many a summer camping here – that is no more – it is now only a day visit area with BBQ’s, park and walk areas. If lucky you may see a whale in Prosser Bay.
Originally named ‘North Beach’ it was renamed ‘Raspins Beach’ after a family who owned a farm opposite the beach. The farm was sold to become the golf club in 1957. Areas of the beach to the south are being regenerated and protected to encourage bird and fauna life including a bird sanctuary.
Orford comes from an English name made up of Old English – ‘ora’ (river bank) and ‘ford’ (river crossing), named after the Earl Orford.
Crossing the bridge to the south and following the Esplanade takes you to another small beach in the Prosser River – not sure what this is called but it is well protected and includes a floating pontoon to swim to.
Hazard Rating: 10+/10 | Parking: None | from Hobart: A long way | Faces: South into Antarctica
Pedra Branca is an islet (rock or little island) situated 26km south of Tasmania with some of the most insane waves in the world. An erosional remnant of the Tasmanian mainland, approximately 270m long, 100m wide and an elevation of 60m, estimated to have separated from the Tasmanian mainland at least 15,000 years ago. Another nearby islet is Eddyston also a tower rock also with thunderous waves.
Pedra requires specific conditions to work. A long trip to get there and when you do the water is cold, great white sharks are common and the waves are bone breaking. Jet ski support is mandatory.
Pedra Branca was first recorded in 1642 by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman and first surfed in October 2008 by Marti Paradisis. Pedra Branca is Portugese for White Rock, probably because it’s covered in bird poo.
Surf photos provided by Stu Gibson, a leading Tasmanian surf photographer.
