Orford lies at the mouth of the Prosser River. When choosing accommodation, the first consideration is which side of the town you would like to experience: coastal walks, historic sites, tastings or golf. Its mix of scenery, activities and heritage makes Orford a destination that can be matched to different interests.

Coastal walks and fishing

Orford’s popular swimming beaches are connected by a 2 km coastal walk. The easy, 2 km cliff-top walk from East Shelly Beach to Spring Beach offers a stroll with ocean views. The distances are specific: both the connection between the swimming beaches and the cliff-top walk are listed as 2 km; the cliff-top walk is also rated easy and offers ocean views. Prosser Bay has good fishing. The coast therefore offers everything from connected swimming beaches to fishing in the bay—different ways to enjoy a stay by the water.

Traces of history

Orford’s history has two very different points of reference. Beside the cliff-top walk is a 19th-century sandstone quarry, whose stone was used for Melbourne’s Law Courts. The quarry thus connects a local raw material with a specific building in Melbourne. On the northern bank of the Prosser River, the Convict Trail leads to the ruins of the Paradise Probation Station. Here, the destination itself is the focus: a named historic ruin site by the river. The quarry’s story is shaped by the material and its use, while the Convict Trail leads to the ruins. These places offer two different ways to explore Orford’s cultural history.

Gin and whisky tastings

At Spring Bay Distillery’s Spring Beach location, you can choose between tastings of three gins or three single malt whiskies. The beachfront tasting room also offers the premium “Red Velvet” whisky experience: an extended tasting of single malt whisky from the library collection, accompanied by a snack. The options differ in more than just the drink category. Red Velvet offers an in-depth whisky tasting from the library collection and includes a snack; the other choice presents gin and single malt as alternatives. If tastings are among your travel interests, you can compare the formats by drink selection and scope.

Golf as another focus

Orford Golf Club has a scenic 9-hole course with gently undulating fairways and well-maintained greens. Golf offers a different focus from the coastal walk and Convict Trail: the emphasis is on the course’s size and design. When matching Orford to your interests, you can consider this sporting option alongside scenery, history and tastings.

First decide whether you want to focus on coastal walks, history, Spring Bay Distillery or golf; then compare hotels in Orford according to your personal criteria.

Discover more destinations: Sandford, Lewisham, South Arm Peninsula, Dunalley, Oatlands, Bronte Park, Stanley, Taranna

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.