Bridport: Coastal walks, golf and maritime heritage

Bridport offers several distinct highlights for a stay: coastal walks and beaches, a circuit through changing landscapes, golf and a festival celebrating the scallop. The walks differ in length and character; the coast, golf and maritime culture each add their own distinctive appeal.

Walking trails and landscape

The Bridport Walking Track is an 11 km circuit accessible from the village of Bridport. It encompasses four clearly distinct walking environments: river, forest, foreshore and wildflower landscape. For more than 35,000 years, the land traversed by the track has been an important part of life for the Coastal Plains Nation. This connection is part of Bridport’s Aboriginal history and gives the track a historical dimension alongside its changing landscapes.

The Bridport Foreshore Walk is an approximately 2 km route for cycling, walking, wheeling or running. As a relatively flat gravel path, it provides easy access to the beaches. It is therefore much shorter than the 11 km circuit. However, the two routes differ in more than just length: the Foreshore Walk is characterised by its flat surface, beach access and suitability for several activities, while the Bridport Walking Track’s circuit takes in four distinct landscapes. This makes for a practical comparison when choosing a route to suit your preferred experience.

Coast: different features

Goftons Beach in Bridport is patrolled during the summer season and offers access for people with disabilities. Mermaid’s Pool is a protected swimming area on the northern edge of Bridport and has a walking track. Old Pier / Murphys Beach has a boat ramp. These offer different considerations when planning time on the coast, such as access for people with disabilities, a protected swimming area or a boat ramp.

Golf and maritime culture

The Dunes is Barnbougle’s original golf course and a links course unlike any other in Australia. Golf therefore offers a distinct attraction alongside coastal and walking interests. If you’re including golf in your travel plans, the course is a specific highlight in Bridport.

The start of scallop season is celebrated in Bridport every year with the Tassie Scallop Fiesta. The festival honours Bridport’s fishing and maritime heritage and features fine local food and drink. The Fiesta therefore combines an annual event with a cultural and culinary focus. The event’s specific date is central to planning a visit around the festival; when choosing between the walks, distance, activities and changing landscapes are the key considerations. Check the event dates for your travel year if you’d like to plan your stay around the Fiesta.

Discover more destinations: Scamander, Weldborough, Wilmot, Gardners Bay, Cygnet, Camdale, Bagdad, Loccota

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.