Douglas Apsley National Park
Douglas Apsley National Park is a short drive north of Swansea.
It’s an understated park, often overlooked in travel guides, but a real local favourite – especially in summer, when the waterholes and rivers offer a refreshing way to cool off.
There are a range of walks in the park, from easy 15-minute loops to 5-hour circuits and multi-day hikes that are best left to experienced bushwalkers.
The forests and heathlands are home to a dazzling array of orchids, wildflowers, and native trees, and this diverse landscape supports a large population of birds, making it a popular spot with birdwatchers. Bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for wedge-tailed eagles, spotted pardalote and even endangered swift parrots on their annual migration.
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Maria Island National Park
Finally, there is Maria Island National Park which is reached by a short ferry trip from Triabunna, south of Swansea.
Spiky Bridge and Spiky Beach
A few minutes’ drive south of Swansea, you’ll discover Spiky Bridge, built by convicts in 1843 without any mortar or cement – hence the upright stones and the spiky looking appearance.
Friendly Beaches
Many visitors to Freycinet are so keen to reach Coles Bay that they rush straight down the Freycinet Peninsula and miss out on a real highlight: Friendly Beaches.
