Cooinda Bicheno: a beachfront stay that's perfect for winter

We’re convinced this beachside stay in Australia’s Top Town is actually perfect for winter.

Not many travellers have discovered the charms of Bicheno – a sleepy seaside town which has just claimed the title of Australian Traveller’s Best Town – but those in the know will tell you there’s something special about Bicheno. Quintessential seaside vibes combine with a hub of bustling eateries, coffee stops, spas and more to make it the perfect place for an extended stay. And this cosy, fireplace-equipped stay on the town’s Waubs Beach is the perfect home base. Let us introduce you to Cooinda.

Staying at Cooinda

Cooinda lounge room — Cosy up by the fireplace.

Perched right over the tranquil Waubs Beach shoreline, Cooinda blends raw natural beauty and thoughtful design with coastal luxury. It’s designed to maximise immersion with the surrounding landscape, letting the outside in (in a manner of speaking). Expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows with uninterrupted ocean views and plenty of that north-facing sunlight. Enjoy the great outdoors in any weather with an outdoor fire pit that invites guests to stay a while and enjoy the view.

Inside, warmth, comfort and understated luxury are the name of the game. The decor has been carefully chosen across the three bedrooms of the property, featuring unique statement pieces from Indigenous artwork to a Swedish workbench to French antiques. The colour palette blends into nature, with soft-hued linen couches, throws and jute rugs underfoot. Get cosy by the open indoor fireplace, or relax in the traditional sauna.

Cooinda indoor fireplace — Cosy up by the indoor fireplace.

Feeling particularly extravagant? There is a range of in-house experiences guests can book to enjoy during their stay. Treat the tastebuds to private dining with an in-house chef, offering bespoke four- or five-course meals tailored to seasonal produce and dietary preferences. Relax body and mind with an in-house massage, yoga session or facial treatments.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Exploring Bicheno

Year-round nature experiences

Waubs Beach bicheno — Dive into Waubs Beach.

From wild coastline to clear stargazing nights to wildlife encounters, every season in Bicheno offers something unforgettable for nature lovers. Time a visit from May to November to catch glimpses of migrating whales along the coastline. Or meet some feathery locals; the colony of little penguins that call Bicheno home.

Lace up your walking boots and explore the world-class walks and beaches near Cooinda, like the iconic Wineglass Bay or an easy 600-metre walk to the postcard-perfect views of Cape Tourville Lighthouse. Those brave enough can don a pair of swimmers and join the daily 7.30am swim group, diving into Waubs Beach on your doorstep.

At night, the unpolluted light sky takes centre stage. On clear nights, spot the Aurora Australis. On the not-so-clear nights, storm watching is just as thrilling. Watch gale-force winds, towering swells and crashing waves while you remain cosy indoors.

Dine and wine

cheese platter at Craigie Knowe Vineyard tasmania — Discover nearby vineyards, like Craigie Knowe. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

It’s almost illegal to visit Tasmania and not indulge in the island’s incredible culinary offerings. Taste the best drops (and take some home with you) at nearby Milton, Craigie Knowe or Freycinet vineyards. Indulge in traditional French flavours at local favourite, Le Coq Bistro, or keep it casual by picking up a few world-class pastries from Little Bay Patisserie. Every Sunday, pop down to Bicheno Community Market to purchase local produce to cook into your own creation (as well as local crafts), and get into the community spirit at The Long Boat Tavern.

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Events & festivals

Bicheno Beams festival tasmania — Catch the lights of Bicheno Beams. (Credit: Adam Reibel)

A slew of local Bicheno festivals creates just another reason to book a trip. Arrive in November for Bicheno’s annual Food & Wine Festival to taste local seafood and Tassie wines, while live music and family-friendly activities provide entertainment. And from late June to late Jul, Bicheno Beams offers a nightly light show, with music and sky beams over town.

The details

ocean views from Cooinda dining room — Enjoy the view.

Accommodates: up to six guests across three Bedrooms and two bathrooms

Cost: from $530 to $1550 per night, depending on the season

Bookings: can be made via the Cooinda on the Beach website

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick hotel — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart. Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline, and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique from your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles. Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

1. Bruny Island

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Credit: Elise Weaver)

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white-furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked. Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

2. Mount Wellington

Mount Wellington Summit tasmania — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Credit: Samuel Shelley)

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes, which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

2. Port Arthur

Port Arthur tasmania — Wander through convict-built grounds and gardens. (Credit: Alastair Bett)

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

3. Launceston

Duck Reach Power Station Bridge Cataract Gorge launceston — Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Credit: Nick H Visuals)

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo, for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

woman with wombat at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Credit: Tourism Australia)

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Credit: Alastair Bett)

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol, said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

This cosy beachfront stay in Australia’s top town is surprisingly perfect for winter

We’re convinced this beachside stay in Australia’s Top Town is actually perfect for winter.

Staying at Cooinda