Ansons Bay: A Quiet Inlet on Tasmania’s Northeast Coast

Ansons Bay is a small coastal settlement in northeastern Tasmania, set beside a sheltered bay not far from the open shores of the Bay of Fires. It is a place of fishing boats, holiday shacks and bushland rather than shops or a busy waterfront. The calm water gives it a different feel from the exposed coast nearby. People come here to fish, spend time by the water or use the settlement as a quiet base for exploring Eddystone Point and the surrounding coastline.

Sheltered water, open coast

The bay is the center of local life. Its sheltered water draws boaters and anglers, while the shoreline and nearby inlets make a good place to watch for coastal birds. It is a low-lying landscape where the weather, tides and light change the view more than any built landmark does. That sheltered setting is only part of the picture. A drive toward Eddystone Point brings you to a much more exposed coast, with granite rocks, surf and long views over the Tasman Sea. The contrast helps explain Ansons Bay’s appeal: you can spend a quiet morning beside the inlet, then see a wilder stretch of northeastern Tasmania without traveling far.

A settlement shaped by fishing and holidays

Ansons Bay feels more like a small cluster of homes and holiday places than a conventional town. Fishing is part of its identity, and the pace is noticeably slower than in St Helens, the larger service town to the south. There is no developed main street to explore; the water and the surrounding country are the reasons to be here. That simplicity suits people looking for a few unhurried days outdoors. It also means expectations matter. Ansons Bay is not a resort, and a stay is easier if you bring what you need rather than counting on a broad choice of food, shopping or activities once you arrive.

Getting out to the northeast corner

Ansons Bay sits away from Tasmania’s main travel routes, so a car is the practical way to reach it and explore nearby places. Roads in this part of the northeast can include unsealed stretches; checking conditions before setting out is sensible, especially after wet weather. The distance from larger towns is part of the quiet, but it makes spontaneous errands less convenient. For a coastal outing, Eddystone Point Lighthouse is a clear landmark, and Mount William National Park lies to the north. The nearby Bay of Fires coast has the rocky shore and broad sea views for which this part of Tasmania is widely recognized. Back at Ansons Bay, the experience is smaller and more settled: a sheltered place to return to after a day on the road.

What is there in Ansons Bay?

A quick overview of the most notable things you can find in Ansons Bay.

Sheltered bay

The broad, protected water is the settlement’s defining feature and a focus for boating and fishing.

Fishing and boating

Small boats and recreational fishing are part of everyday life around the inlet.

Holiday shacks and homes

The modest, spread-out settlement has a quieter feel than Tasmania’s larger coastal towns.

Coastal birdlife

The bay’s shoreline provides places to watch birds along the water.

Nearby granite coast

The exposed shores around Eddystone Point and the Bay of Fires offer a sharp contrast to the calm bay.

What to see in Ansons Bay?

Notable places and attractions connected to Ansons Bay.

Ansons Bay

The sheltered bay itself is the main local sight, best appreciated from the shoreline or on the water.

Eddystone Point Lighthouse

This granite lighthouse stands on an exposed headland northeast of the settlement, with views along the coast.

Mount William National Park

North of Ansons Bay, the park protects coastal heath, beaches and wildlife habitat.

Bay of Fires

The nearby stretch of northeast coast is notable for its granite boulders, beaches and open sea views.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓Sheltered water suits fishing and small-boat outings.
✓Quiet setting with little commercial development.
✓Easy to combine time at the bay with trips to Eddystone Point.
✓Nearby access to coastal scenery and protected natural areas.
✓A distinct alternative to staying in a larger northeast Tasmanian town.

Cons

−Very limited shopping and dining options in the settlement.
−A car is needed for most visits and day trips.
−Some approach roads may be unsealed or affected by weather.
−The exposed coast nearby can be windy even when the bay feels calm.
−It is a long way from major services and Tasmania’s principal cities.

Location

Ansons Bay is located in Tasmania.

Ansons Bay, Tasmania, Australia

-40.89, 147.88

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