by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 18, 2023 | Dodges / Carlton, East Coast, South East, Surf
Hazard Rating: 5/10 | Parking: OK | from Hobart: 52 km | Length: 8 km | Faces: East into Marion Bay / Tasman Sea
Original People: Pydarerme / Paredarerme
A long secluded beach in a beautiful area on the east coast of Tasmania. Minor surf sometimes and fishing from the beach or creek behind the beach.
Access to the beach is a 100 – 200 m walk from the car park. Basic amenities include toilets.
The north end has 5 more beaches – Woody, Eagles, Shelly, Pine Creek and Bluff beaches – all have limited access mainly from tracks.
Parallel to the beach is Bream Creek which sometimes joins up with the sea. The beach is accessed via Marion Bay Road.
Named after a French explorer Marion du Fresne, a ship captain who explored in 1772. Views of Maria Island to the northeast and a small island called Visscher Island to the southeast. A well-known surf break on the southern end called ‘Boneyard’ is considered one of Australia’s best right-handers when working.
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 10, 2024 | East Coast
Near: Orford | Hazard Rating: 2-3/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 80 km | Faces: East into Prosser Bay | Length: 1km
Milligtons Beach on the south side of the bridge in Orford is effectively a continuation of Raspins\Orford Beach after you cross the Prosser Rivermouth. A hidden gem of a beach with an excellent playground called ‘Our Park’ is close to the beach with toilets and BBQs. Access the beach via the playground or further south via Rudd Avenue, no amenities but close parking. A quiet somewhat unknown beach to visit on the East Coast.
Named after Harold Millington who built a house near the beach in 1925 – currently available for overnight stays – Millingtons House.
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 9, 2024 | East Coast
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 the family that 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 and include a bird sanctuary.
Orford comes from an English name made up of Old English – ‘ora’ (river bank) and ‘ford’ (river crossing) and is 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.
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 11, 2024 | East Coast
Near: Orford | Hazard Rating: 3/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 92 km | Faces: NE into Carrickfergus Bay | Length: 4 km
Original people: Paredarerme (Oyster Bay) tribe
Rheban is 12 km south of Orford on the east coast of Tasmania, the last few kilometres on a good dirt road. Named after an Irish castle.
A wonderful sweeping beach that wraps around a headland to the south. Views of Toarra-Marra-Monah (Maria Island) and a smaller island called Lachlan Island to the east. A quiet beach in a beautiful area, likely with little or no other people so you can have your own area of beach. No amenities.
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 10, 2024 | East Coast, Low Hazard
Hazard Rating: 1/10 | Parking: Minimal | from Hobart: 82 km | Faces: North into Prosser Bay | Length: 900 m
Shelley Beach is made of West Shelley and East Shelley Beaches with a rocky outcrop in between. Entry on the west end is via Jetty Road and down a short dirt road, with limited parking and no amenities. The east end is accessed via East Shelley Road (shown as E Shelly Road on Google Maps). Again, there is limited parking and no amenities.
A nice beach but with limited access and surprisingly not many shells!
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 11, 2024 | East Coast
Near: Orford | Hazard Rating: 4/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 85 km | Faces: NNE into Mercury Passage | Length: 1 km
Located 4 km south of Orford. This a popular beach, and rightly so – beautiful white sand and great views of Toarra-Marra-Monah (Maria Island).
A moderate gradient beach that sometimes gets small surf which can make it moderately hazardous and may also include rips.
The beach has ample parking, toilets and a BBQ area.
