Bicheno

 

 

 

 

Before ever visiting Bicheno, all I knew about the place was that it was a coastal town, roughly half way between Coles Bay and St Mary’s; and that it was the adopted home of an entrépreneurial Frenchman, the late Bertrand Cadart, who loved the place so much he settled there, later becoming Mayor of Glamorgan Spring Bay. Monsieur Cadart was known to Aussie motorcyclists, amongst other things, as the importer of ‘Fournales’ brand gas shock absorbers, and for his role as one of the bikie gang members in “Mad Max”. 

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Adieu, Monsieur Cadart; a’bientot, et Bon Chance en apré vie.

 

Mea Culpa: Over all our visits, in all the years we’ve been to Tasmania, I’ve never taken a bike of my own there, nor hired one locally. Forgive me, for I Have Sinned. Defo Bucket List.

 

Having driven the Tasman Highway several times, north-to-south and vice versa, I can attest to how great a sin my mea culpa amounts; and understand entirely why someone so steeped in motorcycling as Bertrand Cadart would choose to settle in Bicheno. If Tasmania generally is motorcycle heaven, this is one very special bit that God keeps for his days off.

 

Bicheno itself is a quiet town, nestled between the forested hills of Harding’s Falls Forest Reserve and the coastline, with the Tasman Highway running through it. It’s well worth slowing down from a run to a dawdle, or stopping outright (with appropriate attention to traffic conditions, use of signals, and getting off the highway into beachside parking areas).

 

We’ve never actually stopped overnight there, but have more than once feasted on freshly caught fish and chips at the fish co-op and seafood shack above the fishermans’ wharf on the southern side of the headland. If you like fresh seafood, can appreciate a gob-smacking seascape and can find time in a day’s touring for a Must Do, we highly recommend this one.