Major city · Australia
Scamander
Stay 1 night, 2 at most: a beach-and-river stop on the A3 between St Helens and Bicheno, not a destination in itself.
Scamander is a small east-coast town of about 640 people where the Scamander River meets the Tasman Sea, 20 km south of St Helens on the A3. It is a one- or two-night pause on a Tasmania east-coast drive: a long surf beach, a river mouth good for a swim or a paddle, and self-catering cabins and caravan parks rather than a sight list. Most travellers use it as a quieter, cheaper bed for the Bay of Fires and St Helens area.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, many places shut or on reduced hours)
- Airports
- LST · HBA
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Scamander000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Scamander, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime beach town; the real risks are the surf and river currents, wildlife on the road at dusk…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLST Launceston (About 2 h 15 min by car via the A3; the usual arrival airport for the northeast.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the A3 runs through town and links St Helens (20 km (12 mi) north) and Bicheno (about 45 min south).A car is the practical choice: the A3 runs through town and links St Helens (12 mi (20 km) north) and Bicheno (about 45 min south).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerschooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shopA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)A$18–25 (≈ US$12–17)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedCaravan park cabin or powered site, a night, per roomA$60 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedMotel or cabin room, a night, per roomA$170 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or cabin room, a night, per roomA$300 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LST Launceston (About 2 h 15 min by car via the A3; the usual arrival airport for the northeast.) · HBA Hobart (About 2 h 45 min–3 h by car via the A3 or Midland Highway and A4.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Aug
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Scamander: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Jul
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
13 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the A3 runs through town and links St Helens (20 km north) and Bicheno (about 45 min south). Tassielink runs a Hobart service on some days only, so check the timetable before you rely on it. In town everything is walkable in 10–15 minutes.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive north on the A3
Fuel, supermarket, cafés and the gateway to the Bay of Fires.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive south on the A3
Blowhole, penguin tours and a bigger choice of food.
Bay of Fires (Binalong Bay, Cosy Corner)
goDoor to door: About 45 min–1 h
Drive north via St Helens, then the C850
White sand and orange lichen rocks; go early, carry water, no shops.
St Marys and the A4 pass
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive west on the A4
A scenic hill route to the Midlands; check conditions in winter.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Scamander Avenue (A3 strip)
Most motels, the caravan park and the beach resort sit on or just off the highway; walk to the beach and river.
Upper Scamander Road
Inland, quieter, farm and orchard stays; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–260 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- A$260 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or cabin room1 × 1 night × A$170 | A$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$170 | A$340 |
| Fuel, St Helens fill, one tank1 × A$90 · check | A$90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$65 |
| Trip total≈ A$358 per person per day, bed included | A$715≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Café meal (burger, fish and chips) | A$18–30 (≈ US$12–20) |
| Pub or bistro main | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer: schooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shop | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) / A$18–25 (≈ US$12–17) |
| Fuel, per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses are limited: Tassielink's Hobart service does not run every day, so confirm days and times before booking.
- Fuel and supermarkets are in St Helens; fill up and shop there.
- Surf and river-mouth currents: swim between the flags when patrolled, and ask locally when they are not.
- Many kitchens close early and some places shut out of season: eat before 8pm or self-cater.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ScamanderScamander
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, thanksTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No consulates in town; the nearest are in Hobart and Launceston, embassies in Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive Scamander → St Helens: about 20 min, 20 km (12 mi)about 20 min, 12 mi (20 km)
- Drive Scamander → Bicheno: about 45 min, 45 km (28 mi) (check)about 45 min, 28 mi (45 km) (check)
- Tassielink bus, Hobart → Scamander: some days only; check the timetable before you book
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the beach? — Where is the beach?
- How much? — How much is it?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
Fuel and supermarkets are in St Helens, 20 km north.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Scamander. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, many places shut or on reduced hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LST and HBA: drive times, last fuel at St Helens, night-arrival notes.
- Walking cluster from Scamander Avenue: beach, river mouth, shops and the caravan park.
- Place pages for Eureka Farm and the beach with verified hours and season.
- Seasonal and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialDiscover Tasmania — East Coast
- officialTassielink
- secondaryWikivoyage: Scamander, revision 5060672 (CC BY-SA 4.0)