Bicheno makes a pleasant stopover, as it has plenty of accommodation . You can camp at the East Cost Caravan Park at 4 Champ St (tel 03/6375 1999, fax 6375 1956; on-site vans $35-50, cabins $70-90); or stay at the well-equipped Bicheno Backpackers Hostel , 11 Morrison St (tel 03/6375 1651, under $20). For something really special, head for the Bicheno Hideaway at 179 Harveys Farm Rd (tel 03/63751312, fax 6375 1700; $115-150), 3km south of Bicheno, where uniquely designed oceanfront self-contained chalets are set on six acres of natural bushland teeming with wildlife. Other options include the central Beachfront Family Resort , near the information office on the Tasman Highway (tel 03/6375 1111, fax 6375 1130; $90-115), which has a pool and bikes to rent; and the Bicheno Gaol , on the corner of James and Burgess streets (tel 03/6375 1430; $115 and upwards), which offers cottage accommodation in the old prison and its converted stables. Food , too, is excellent in Bicheno. The formal Cyrano French Restaurant , at 77 Burgess St (daily from 6.30pm; tel 03/6375 1137), is in the classic French vein, while the Long Boat Tavern , on the Tasman Highway, has the best counter meals. The Blue House Mobile Kitchen is a food van that sets up each evening next door to the information centre; it offers reasonably priced, BYO alfresco dining and is a very popular meeting place. For a good all-day breakfast and real coffee try the Freycinet Bakery at 45 Foster St (daily 8am-4pm), or head for Mary Harvey's Kitchen in the gardens of the Bicheno Gaol , where you can sample some gourmet Tasmanian products (daily 10.30am-5pm).

To get to Freycinet National Park by bus from Bicheno, take the Coles Bay-Bicheno Coach Service (tel 03/6357 0293), which leaves from the Night Owl takeaway at 52 Burgess St.