Hamptons on the Bay

As you drive through Rocky Hills, just before Swansea on the Great Eastern Drive, you’ll find the Mayfield Bay Coastal Reserve and the lovely Mayfield Beach. Travellers often miss this delightful part of the coast, as they fix their sights on the next town along the Great Eastern Drive. But it’s well worth taking some time to explore here. Pull into the car park just off the highway and wander down onto the fine white sandy beach that skirts the edge of Mayfield Bay. Allow several minutes to take in the breathtaking outlook towards Maria Island before you commence your wandering. This is a beach for strolling slowly, examining shells and rock pools and getting the sand between your toes. Stop to see the1845, convict-built Three Arch Bridge—preserved today beneath the existing highway, and wander along the beach to explore.

The famous boat shed, heritage listed, is possibly the most photographed building on the East Coast and sits on Shelly Point at the southern end of Kelvedon Beach. The boat shed is an important part of the history of Kelvedon Estate as this is where all the farm supplies were received from and how produce left the farm. Originally a cattle stud farm, it is now a vineyard. The shed itself has been extensively renovated from its old rustic and run down days.

This small bridge, consisting of three arches, was built in 1845 by convict labor from the nearby Rocky Hills Probation Station. The bridge spans the outlet of the Old Man Creek at Mayfield Beach, approx 14 kilometres south of Swansea on the east coast of Tasmania. It now has the existing east coast road built over the top of it. The old bridge can still be viewed by walking 40 metres along a sign posted track down from the Mayfield Beach camping ground car park or by walking along the beautiful beach. The arches are only very small and you will have to stoop over if you wish to walk through them. Care needs to be taken at high tide.