Things to do in St Helens: Where To Eat, Drink, Stay and Play

Tasmania’s east coast is gorgeous, with azure-blue waters, white sand beaches and orange lichen-covered boulders. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone coming to Tassie for outdoor adventures, and a fantastic spot to base yourself in is St Helens. 

The town of St Helens – one of the largest fishing ports in Tasmania – is the gateway to the Bay of Fires, sitting at the southern end of this famously photogenic region. It’s just over an hour north of Freycinet National Park, so a day trip to snap pics of Wineglass Bay is completely doable.

There’s loads to see and plenty of delicious food in town, so we’ve rounded up the best things to do in St Helens, Tasmania.

Things to Do in St Helens: Eat

The Lifebuoy Cafe

For brunch in St Helens, head to The Lifebuoy Cafe, a charming little spot in the centre of town. The friendly staff serves coffee and delicious food – try the Canadian waffles or the house-made spicy beans stacked on a lentil and chickpea patty, topped off with avo and halloumi. 

An extra incentive to go to Lifebuoy is that it’s attached to a little homewares shop called Sco & Co., so you can pick up some trinkets once you’ve got your caffeine hit.

29 Quail Street, St Helens

Furneaux Restaurant & Comptoir

Furneaux Restaurant & Comptoir is the kind of place that makes you want to linger. This acclaimed, intimate bistro delivers French-accented dishes made with Tasmania’s finest produce—think confit duck leg, scallops bathed in a delicate curry sauce, and silky crème brûlée. The service is warm, the wine list is local, and the atmosphere? Effortlessly charming. Come hungry, stay late, and let the slow pace of a coastal evening work its magic.

2 Tasman Highway, St Helens 

Azuki Eating House

Azuki Eating House is the kind of spot you stumble upon and instantly feel smug about discovering. This cosy Japanese fusion joint dishes up house-made dumplings, deeply comforting ramen, and sushi rolls that don’t skimp on the good stuff. Whether you’re grabbing takeaway for a beachside feast or settling in for a laid-back meal, expect bold flavours, warm hospitality, and a menu that keeps locals coming back.

34 Cecilia Street, St Helens

Bay of Fires Lobster

Ever had lobster so fresh it practically waved at you before hitting the plate? At Bay of Fires Lobster, the Rainbird family has spent over 50 years pulling premium Southern Rock Lobster straight from Tasmania’s pristine waters. Held live in tanks and cooked fresh daily, this is seafood at its absolute peak. Go for a classic lobster roll or even a whole spanner crab feast. One thing’s certain—you’ll be dreaming of this meal long after the last bite.

Tasman Highway, St Helens 

The Wharf

Serving meals with a side of seaside views, The Wharf sits pretty on the edge of George’s Bay in St Helens. Locally sourced seafood is the star attraction on the menu, and with a location like this, how can it not be?

The Wharf also has Cape Grim scotch fillet, crispy pork belly salad and a sweet selection of desserts to keep hungry tummies full.

1 Marina Parade, St Helens

The Surfside

It’s not technically in St Helens, but The Surfside is only about a 10-minute drive down the highway in Beaumaris, and the burgers are worth the quick trek.

Also serving weekly specials like curries, tacos and meatballs, the beachfront location is relaxed and laid-back, making for the perfect atmosphere to sink a few local lagers with your dinner.

269 Tasman Highway, Beaumaris

Lease 65

If you’re looking for elevated fine dining, Lease 65 isn’t it. But, if you’re looking for the best oysters in Tasmania, Lease 65 is it. Located on Moutling Bay, folks flock from all over to pick up oysters here – St Helens may be best known for its game fishing, but the oysters are huge and tasty.

It’s a drive-in and pick-up situation (make sure you bring cash!), so it’s perfect to take back for a chill night at your Airbnb. 

444 Binalong Bay Road, St Helens

Things to Do in St Helens: Drink

The Social

This lively yet laid-back venue has a bar stacked with Tasmanian craft beers and wines, served in a restored vintage caravan in The Social’s chill beer garden. Inside, the decor is perfectly retro chic with a jumble of ‘60s and ’70s tables and chairs.

Good food is easy to find, from burgers to Mexican and whatever food truck has pulled up to dish it out that week. The Social is the perfect casual place to head after a long day exploring the St Helens area.

32 Quail Street, St Helens

Priory Ridge Wines

Priory Ridge is the only vineyard and cellar door in this region, and, like most Tasmanian wineries, Priory Ridge is known for its Pinot Noir. If you’re more of a white wine person, the boutique vineyard has a divine Sauvignon Blanc.

Taste both at the cellar door- but since it’s a small operation, you’ll need to phone ahead for tastings. Sitting out on the verandah enjoying the peaceful farmland view is well worth the effort.

280 Ansons Bay Road, St Helens

Easy, Tiger

You could spend an entire day at Easy, Tiger given it’s a bar, eatery, beer garden and a boutique cinema. The movies have been here for a while, but the beer garden extension is a relatively new addition, and locals head there in droves to sip local beers, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere.

7 Pendrigh Place, St Helens

Things to Do in St Helens: Play

Explore the Bay of Fires

St Helens is the best base for your Bay of Fires adventure, given it’s a town with plenty of amenities and is just a short drive to the must-visit spots.

Start at Binalong Bay with its crystalline waters and orange boulders and make your way up to Eddystone Point and admire its old stone lighthouse. In between you’ll find plenty of spots to pull over and take in the views, look for dolphins, climb over rocks and take a refreshing dip in one of the protected bays.

If you’d prefer a guided experience, embark on the Palawa-owned and operated Wwukalina Walk, a four-day tour of the area. Aboriginal guides take walkers on a fascinating journey through Wukalina (Mt William National Park) and Larapuna (Bay of Fires), explaining the Palawa connection to the Country the whole way through.

Bay of Fires, Tasmania 

Ride the Famous Bike Trails

The St Helens mountain bike trails are renowned for having some of the most scenic views worldwide, attracting keen riders from all over. While expert-level riders hit the trails, there’s no reason you can’t give it a go if you’re feeling like a daredevil – there are a few beginner/easy trails among the options.

Head to the St Helens MTB Trails site to find the perfect track for you to tackle. Local bike hire companies will have you all kitted out, and many Airbnbs come with bike lockup areas.

If you’d prefer to hike rather than bike, the St Helens Point Conservation Area in the north east is filled with hiking trails and opportunities for fishing and boating.

Flagstaff Road, St Helens

Learn the History of the Area

St Helens History Room is a local museum with over 1000 artefacts and 20,000+ photographs chronicling the region’s fascinating history. Learn about its Indigenous heritage and Captain Tobias Furneaux, the first white explorer who sailed into the bay in 1773, and beyond. 

From its past as a whaling station to its tin mining boom, there’s lots to learn about this quaint little port town. 

Mainly Maritime is another local museum that dives into, funnily enough, maritime history. Incorporating the Warship and Marine Corps Museum, there are carefully preserved records, uniforms, archives and artwork charting the history of St Helens and worldwide maritime exploration and warfare. 

61 Cecilia Street, St Helens 

13 Pendrigh Place, St Helens

Peron Sand Dunes

If you’ve got a taste for adventure, Peron Sand Dunes is where you’ll find it—an endless playground of golden slopes just outside St Helens. Whether you’re tearing it up in a 4WD, sandboarding down steep faces, or just soaking in the raw beauty of the coastline, this place is pure magic. The wind carves the dunes into ever-shifting waves, the ocean roars nearby, and for a moment, it’s just you, the sand, and the wild pulse of Tasmania.

Take a Kayak Tour

Local operator Secret River Tours runs kayak adventures around the St Helens area – you can explore St Georges Bay in town, cruise around the Scamander River (with its “secret” island in the middle) or even go gem fossicking for sapphire and topaz up north, about an hour out of St Helens.

The kayaks are pedal-operated, so you can have your hands completely free – helpful if you’ve picked the fishing option! The tour guides provide all the gear you need, so it’s a relatively easy way to get a unique view of St Helens and its beautiful surroundings.

St Helens, Tasmania

Pyengana

Pyengana is the kind of place that demands a detour. Set between rolling dairy pastures and ancient rainforest, it’s home to some of the best cheese you’ll ever taste—Pyengana Dairy’s clothbound cheddar is legendary. Pair it with a crisp local cider, then head to the Pub in the Paddock, where you can share a beer with Priscilla, the resident beer-drinking pig. If nature calls, St Columba Falls—one of Tasmania’s tallest waterfalls—awaits, cascading through lush wilderness. This is country hospitality at its finest, where the food is rich, the views are endless, and time slows down.

Sitchu Tip: It is worth noting that the St Columba Falls walking tracks are currently closed, but you can still take in the stunning cascade from the car park. For more adventure, explore Halls Falls or the scenic trails at Poimena in the Blue Tier Regional Reserve.

Things to Do in St Helens: Stay

Georgie Buoy

Once you check in to Georgie Buoy, you’ll feel like you’re also checking into the 1970s. This incredibly restored retro beach house has gorgeous views of George’s Bay, which you might not even notice given you’re too busy admiring the incredible vintage decor inside.

With two bedrooms, a wood fire and a spacious deck to enjoy the vista, it’s a great place for a couples’ trip or girls’ getaway.

9 Lawry Heights, St Helens

Parnella Dunes

Recently renovated and designed for comfort, Parnella Dunes is a stylish escape perfect for couples, friends, and families. A short drive lands you in St Helens’ buzzing town centre, while world-class mountain bike trails, Peron Sand Dunes, and the iconic Bay of Fires are all within easy reach. Inside, cosy up by the fireplace or unwind in the freestanding bath, while outside, a Weber BBQ, fire pit, and outdoor shower set the scene for relaxed evenings under the stars.

Stieglitz, Australia

Coastal Getaway St. Helens

Hidden away on a quiet street, just minutes from St Helens’ cafes and coastal charm, this cosy two-bedroom stay is a real beauty because it instantly feels like home. With a sun-drenched deck, glimpses of the bay, and a walking track just 150m away, it’s perfectly placed for lazy mornings and adventure-filled days. The fully equipped kitchen, Webber BBQ, and family-friendly touches (think portacot, high chair, and toys) make it an easy pick for couples, families, or solo travellers looking to unwind on Tasmania’s breathtaking East Coast.

St Helens, Tasmania

Happy Nomad

Happy Nomad is surrounded by greenery, giving a peaceful and remote vibe, but, it’s just a few minutes out of St Helens. The property is sprawling and spacious, with a large yard with a raised wooden patio to enjoy a BBQ and local produce as the sun sets.

The kitchen is fully stocked with whatever you might need, and the clawfoot tub is a must for soaking after a hike or bike ride.

112 Ansons Bay Road, St Helens

Swansong

For something a little more remote, Swansong is an off-grid, one-bedroom cabin offering a secluded St Helens accommodation option.

Built into the beautiful eucalypt forest, it has views overlooking George’s Bay that you can enjoy from your bed. With two adjoining pavilions, one with the kitchen and living and dining, one with the bedroom and ensuite, this unique property provides ultimate serenity.

443 Binalong Bay Road, St Helens

Calypso

If the 1970s aren’t your thing, maybe Calypso and its 1960s vibe might suit you better. Another wonderfully renovated and kitted out beach house, this two-bedroom property has two bathrooms and is another ideal base for two couples or a mates trip.

Fire up the BBQ on the deck, spot wallabies in the yard and enjoy a few sundowners after your big day of seeing the local sights.

16 Atlas Drive, St Helens

Ready to explore more of Tasmania after reading our guide to the best things to do in St Helens? Why not check out our guide for an epic weekend getaway or enjoy a relaxing afternoon sipping divine wine at one of Tasmania’s best wineries?