Randalls Bay: Beach, Coastal Trails and Echo Sugarloaf

Randalls Bay showcases the Tasmanian coast in several different ways: a long sandy beach, trails to a 198-metre-high summit and a path to secluded Mickeys Beach. The coastal area stretches from Echo Sugarloaf State Reserve through Randalls Bay to Mickeys Beach. When planning a stay here, you can weigh up the beach setting, the views and the varied landscapes along the trails.

Summit views and varied landscapes

The Echo Sugarloaf Nature Trail is a circuit around Echo Sugarloaf in Randalls Bay. On the way up, it follows the western slope to the 198 m summit; the return route takes the southern ridge. From this trail, there are views across Randalls Bay to the Huon River, D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the mountains to the southwest. The circuit combines a clearly described ascent and return with views of water and mountains. It is a good choice for your day’s plans if the summit and panoramic views are what matter most.

The Quarry Reserve Track offers a different perspective on the landscape: it passes through a rehabilitated quarry and river gravel with coastal heathland. Habitats here include silver peppermints and Black Gums. Compared with the summit trail, this track shifts the focus to the quarry, river gravel and coastal vegetation. This gives you a choice of different natural features, without suggesting that both trails offer the same experience.

Beach and coastal trails

The Mickeys Beach Track begins at the western end of Randalls Bay Beach, passes around the headland via sandstone steps and follows the coastal reserve to beautiful, secluded Mickeys Beach. Its described coastal route is quite different from the circuit around Echo Sugarloaf: here, the beach is the destination, while on the other trail the summit is part of a circuit. If you choose your activities based on the kind of scenery you want, these offer two different options for planning your day.

Randalls Bay Beach itself is a long sandy beach on a generally calm bay, sheltered by Garden Island and Bruny Island. However, wind waves can still form depending on wind speed and direction. Keep this weather dependence in mind when planning: describing the bay as generally calm does not rule out wind waves.

Getting around and planning your stay

To reach Randalls Bay Beach, travel via the Channel Highway and turn onto Randalls Bay Road or Abels Road; another access route is via Williams Road. Parking, a barbecue area and toilets are available at Randalls Bay Beach for the Mickeys Beach Track. The public toilets are at Randalls Bay Beach, 232 Randalls Bay Road, Randalls Bay, Tasmania, Australia. As conditions and facilities may change, check before you travel.

When looking for a hotel, you can first choose the focus of your stay based on the day trips you have in mind. A day at the beach with the track towards Mickeys Beach has a different character from the circuit, whose destination is the summit and its views over the river, channel and mountains. The Quarry Reserve Track offers a third focus: the quarry, river gravel and coastal heathland. This comparison can help you choose accommodation based on what you plan to do; be sure to check the location and facilities of the specific property.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Robigana, Triabunna, Camdale, Weegena, Richmond, Bronte Park, Naracoopa and Port Sorell.

For the main travel overview: Tasmania.