Emerging from the northeastern edge of Tasmania’s Tamar Valley wine region and overlooking the waters of Anderson Bay is the sleepy seaport town of Bridport. Known best for sea and river fishing, the best catches in the area are scallops, lobsters and rainbow trout. Decrepit wooden jetties and old motorboats left ashore to bake in the sun are lined along the Bridport River as though on purpose, to keep old childhood memories of beachcombing on a warm summer’s day alive.

Unusually red rocks border the shores of Bridport’s main beach, with a photographic highlight the eerie site of an old dilapidated pier that’s been half eaten by the waters over the years. Bridport also gives access to one of the top golf courses in the country, Barnbougle Dunes. Only three kilometres northeast of town, the links masterpiece was only built in 2004, but is already considered of a world standard. There’s even a regular chopper service from Bridport to Launceston just to service mad-keen golfers.

The aroma of purple-washed paddocks of fresh lavender from the Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm, one of the world’s largest, can be detected at a distance. More of the local animals and plants, some threatened, make their home in the Bridport Wildflower Reserve as part of the Granite Point Conservation Area.

“Gateway to Barnbougle Dunes, Australia’s best golf course, bar none.” – Matt Cleary

Where? // 70km (1hr 15mins) northeast of Launceston.

Did you know? // It’s uncertain as to why the rocks along the shores of Bridport’s main beach are so red. Some say it’s an iron ore, others believe it’s lichen.