Things to do whilst staying at Moonbird Beach Shack

Girl showering in outdoor shower after returning from a surf on the beach directly opposite the shack

Surf – the east coast of Tasmania


Moonbird Shack has an abundance of surf spots that cater for beginners to advanced surfers. For your convenience, there is a 7.0 mini-mal kept in the laundry which is suitable for a range of surf conditions. Please take care if you use it and return it to where you found it afterward. To surf or dive on the east coast, you need to pack a 4-3 steamer wetsuit for winter and a 3-2 long arm or short arm steamer for summer.  Whilst the water temp can vary dramatically in summer due to the Eastern Australian Current some days can be surprisingly warm so worth packing boardshorts and a vest and don’t forget your beach towel.

To get the local’s insights on the best conditions for the day, we recommend grabbing a coffee at Swims Cafe and chatting with Sean or Kaitlin who will point you in the right direction. Or download the Swellnet App which has a daily updated east coast surf forecast. Remember to respect others in the ocean and only surf places to your ability.

Girl walks barefoot in a blue and red sundress carrying her shoes and hat on the track opposite the shack to our beautiful white sand beach. The sky is the perfect blue and the ocean sublime

Walk – coastal and mountain wilderness awaits


Tasmania is world-renowned for its pristine wilderness, incredible white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. No matter whether you plan to trek the central high country, roam the remote west, or prefer a more leisurely pace climbing to the lookout overlooking Wineglass Bay you will not be disappointed with the variety of walks and incredible scenery on offer.

One of our favourite day walks is the Wineglass Bay summit return via the Hazard’s track on the west side of the Freycinet Peninsula. Allow 5-6 hours to complete the loop walk. Remember to carry enough water and allow 60 minutes to drive to the park. Park fees apply and the walk is popular during the peak holiday season so we recommend starting your day early. Make sure you visit the Freycinet Lodge afterward to sample the local beer wines and spirits on offer and if you can stay for the sunset which lights up the Hazards on the west side of the park.

Man rides down a moss lined forested MTB trail whils his friend stops to take his photo with another Mountain Bike visible in the foreground

Ride – St Helen’s, Derby the Blue Tier and beyond


If you are a fan of mountain bike riding then you will have heard of Derby which is the epi-centre of MTB on the east coast. Over the past 5 years, the region has been transformed by a bunch of enthusiasts who have built some of the best MTB trails you will find anywhere in the world. The variety of trails on offer in Derby 60 minutes north and around St Helens 25 minutes north is astonishing and guaranteed to make any MTB enthusiast smile. 

There are so many different rides on offer from technically challenging downhills to more leisurely trails suitable for all abilities. Take time to determine a trail appropriate to your ability and ask in the bike shops in St Helens or Derby if you don’t have your own gear, as they hire bikes and and offer daily bus tours to various drop off points so you can maximise your downhill time.

Sean from Swims Coffee in Scamander makes coffee in his converted shipping container cafe opposite the beach

Swims Cafe in Scamander

Swims is built from a recycled 40-foot shipping container, and offers a casual dining experience with some indoor seating and a larger outdoor grass area opposite Scamander Beach... Sandy feet and bathers welcome!

Throw down a cushion, listen to some tunes, and Sean and Kaitlin will put on brekky or lunch for you (made from locally sourced ingredients). Their staff are super friendly and we recommend staying for a sip and chat to get the news on all the latest things happening on the east coast. 

“We are grateful every day that we get to brew tasty coffee right beside the ocean on Tasmania's east coast. The locals are great and the visitors are always welcome”. Kaitlin & Sean – Swims Cafe

Cooking up a hearty breakfast is easy when you can source all the fresh food you need at East Coast Provider including, sumptuous local bacon, free range eggs, bread and a wide range of meats

East Coast Providore in St Helens

Founded in 2014 the East Coast Providore is the place to source all your Tasmanian fresh foods including a wide range of local meats, cheeses, wines, veggies, condiments, breads as well as ready-made meals. Don’t forget to ask about their delicious homemade ice cream with a range of tasty flavours depending on the season.

Skippers Fish and Chip Shop is an institution on the East Coast and is located on a converted paddle steamer right on Georges Bay in St Helens. Recently it ha been renovated and now features a larger/ outdoor indoor dining space. You can order to ea…

Skippers Fish Shop in St Helens

Skippers Fish Shop serves the very finest seafood and sustainably sourced fish. Dine-in from our eatery menu, take away, or buy fresh seafood to cook at home. We use only the very best suppliers to source all our seafood and other ingredients, ensuring great quality across our menu.

Our personal favourite fish is the seasonally caught Blue Trevella and the calamari is always fresh and tasty. Always popular is the Lease 65 sourced locally grown oysters which can be bought at Skippers or direct from the sea farm beds at Lease 65, 444 Binalong Bay Road, St Helens.