If you are looking into Blue Waters Orford, you are likely wondering whether this Tasmanian property delivers as both a place to stay and a place to eat. This guide combines verified details from the official website with independent reviews from platforms such as Tripadvisor and Hotels.com, covering bistro hours, accommodation, and the property’s riverfront location on the Prosser River.

Last checked: 2026-09-18

Property Type: Hotel & Bistro · Location: Prosser River, Orford, Tasmania · Bistro Hours: Lunch 12–2pm, Dinner 5:30–8pm (7 days) · Dining Price Range: $8–

If you are looking into Blue Waters Orford, you are likely wondering whether this Tasmanian property delivers as both a place to stay and a place to eat. This guide combines verified details from the official website with independent reviews from platforms such as Tripadvisor and Hotels.com, covering bistro hours, accommodation, and the property’s riverfront location on the Prosser River.

2 per dish

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-09-18.

Sources reviewed: Official property website, Booking.com listing, Tripadvisor reviews, Hotels.com listing, Trip.com aggregate data, third-party directory (Publocation), official Facebook page.

We did not conduct an on-site inspection or staff interviews, and we did not independently verify pricing beyond what appears in the cited sources.

Snapshot: Blue Waters Orford

1 Location & Setting
2 Bistro Hours
3 Water Access
  • Direct riverfront on Prosser River with views over the river and Maria Island (Tripadvisor)
4 Guest Rating Signal
  • Tripadvisor: 3.9/5 from 121 reviews; Trip.com: 8.3/10 from 30 reviews (Trip.com)
Key facts: Blue Waters Orford
AttributeDetail
Property TypeHotel & Bistro
LocationProsser River, Orford, Tasmania
Bistro Hours (daily)Lunch 12:00–14:00, dinner 17:30–20:00
Dining Price RangeApprox. $8–$12 per dish per recent review reports
Rooms30 villas (per official rooms page)
Year Established1998 (per official site)
Check-in / Check-outFrom 14:00 / by 10:00 (Hotels.com)
Note: The property describes itself as providing “quality services since ’98.” The bistro serves meals seven days a week, and the official contact page lists general opening hours from 11:00 to 22:00 daily.

What are Orford Blue Waters known for?

Orford Blue Waters operates as a combined hotel and bistro. The official website states that the bistro uses fresh ingredients and offers daily lunch and dinner service. The venue states that diners can eat outdoors with views over the Prosser River and Maria Island. The accommodation component comprises 30 villas, a number cited on the rooms page. The property has been operating as a family-friendly waterfront destination since opening in 1998.

Tip for visitors: The bistro’s lunch service (12–2pm) offers broad river views; dinner service (5:30–8pm) may require booking during peak summer months, though the official site does not explicitly state a reservation policy.
The bottom line: This is a single integrated hospitality business — accommodation and dining under the same roof — rather than a hotel with a separately operated restaurant. Guest reviews from Tripadvisor (3.9/5, 121 reviews) and Trip.com (8.3/10, 30 reviews) indicate generally positive sentiment with room for improvement in certain areas.

Is Bluewaters Hotel beachfront?

The property is situated directly on the Prosser River, not on the ocean. Tripadvisor describes it as a “waterfront hotel” overlooking the Prosser River and Maria Island. The official restaurant page encourages visitors to enjoy meals with “beautiful views out over the Prosser River.” Ocean beach access requires a short drive from the venue — Orford’s main beaches, such as Spring Beach, are approximately 2–3 kilometres away. The distinction matters: the venue offers a riverfront setting with calm water views, not a surf beach.

What to watch: Some online listings and search snippets blur the line between “riverfront” and “beachfront.” For confirmed direct water access, the Prosser River is at your doorstep. Ocean swimming requires a short trip.

How far is Blue Waters from Suncoast?

This question suggests readers are comparing properties. Suncoast is a different accommodation in Orford, but the precise road distance is not specified in the available data. Based on general Orford street layout, the two properties likely sit within a few hundred metres to about 1 km of each other along the Tasman Highway stretch. Because we could not verify the exact distance from a primary source, we recommend using Google Maps for precise directions.

Tip for comparison shoppers: Orford is a small coastal town. Most accommodation options cluster along the Tasman Highway or near the jetty area, so distances are walkable for many visitors. Suncoast and Blue Waters are considered alternatives in the same local market — one may suit better depending on whether you prioritise the bistro or other amenities.

Alternative properties to consider

PropertyTypeBeachfrontKey Feature
Orford Blue Waters HotelHotel & BistroRiverfront (Prosser River)On-site bistro, 30 villas
Suncoast (Orford)Accommodation (type unverified)Information not confirmedListed as alternative property
Blue Water Beach ResortResort (location unclear)Unknown from available dataNot a direct competitor in Orford

Note: Blue Water Beach Resort appears in search queries but its location relative to Orford is not confirmed in our sources. This table compares known local options; Blue Waters remains the sole property combining accommodation and a licensed bistro in central Orford.

What are the opening hours of Blue Waters in Orford?

Two sets of hours appear. The contact page lists general opening hours as Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The restaurant page specifies bistro meal service as lunch from 12:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 17:30 to 20:00, seven days a week. Both pages are part of the same official website, so the interpretation is that the venue itself is open from 11:00 to 22:00, but the bistro kitchen operates within narrower windows for meal service. If you plan to dine, arrive within the bistro hours to ensure hot food is available.

ServiceHours
Venue open (general)11:00–22:00 daily
Bistro lunch12:00–14:00 daily
Bistro dinner17:30–20:00 daily
Important: The bistro hours are the key numbers for dining plans. Showing up at 10:30 AM or 8:30 PM for a meal will likely result in no kitchen service, even if the venue itself is open.

Pros and cons of Orford Blue Waters

What works well
  • Direct riverfront location with views over Prosser River and Maria Island
  • On-site bistro with daily lunch and dinner service
  • Family-friendly atmosphere noted in multiple reviews
  • Established operation since 1998, suggesting operational continuity
What to consider
  • Riverfront, not ocean beachfront — ocean access requires a drive
  • Tripadvisor rating of 3.9/5 indicates inconsistent guest experiences
  • No pool confirmed in official sources or in review data we reviewed
  • Limited bistro hours — dinner service ends at 8pm

Best for: families, couples, budget travellers

  • Families: The venue’s family-friendly positioning and riverfront garden space make it suitable for travellers with children. The bistro’s affordable meal range ($8–$12 per dish) helps manage dining costs.
  • Couples: River views, particularly at sunset over Maria Island, offer a calm setting. The on-site bistro removes the need to drive for evening meals.
  • Budget travellers: Meal pricing is at the lower end for Tasmanian bistro dining. Accommodation pricing was not independently verified, but the venue’s overall positioning suggests mid-range cost.

Sample one-day itinerary

For visitors combining a stay with dining at Blue Waters, here is a logical flow:

  1. Check in from 2:00 PM. Settle into your villa and walk the riverfront garden.
  2. Bistro lunch (12:00–14:00) or, if arriving later, plan for dinner service starting at 17:30.
  3. Afternoon: walk or drive the short distance to Orford’s jetty area or Raspberry Farm (check seasonal hours).
  4. Dinner at the bistro: the official site describes meals made from fresh ingredients, with outdoor seating when weather permits.
  5. Next morning: check out by 10:00 AM before exploring the Tasman Peninsula or heading to Maria Island ferry.

Map: 28 Tasman Hwy, Orford, Tasmania 7190 (riverfront location on Prosser River)

Our pick

Recommended for: travellers seeking a family-friendly waterfront stay, diners looking for affordable pub meals, and couples wanting a relaxing riverfront getaway.

Orford Blue Waters works best as a convenient base for exploring the area without needing to drive for every meal. The bistro’s daily hours (12–2pm lunch, 5:30–8pm dinner) and $8–$12 meal range make it a practical choice. If ocean beach access or a swimming pool are priorities, you may want to weigh the riverfront trade-off or consider alternatives in Orford.

“Delicious meals made from the freshest of ingredients are served seven days a week in our bistro.”

– Orford Blue Waters, venue/operator

“Enjoy your meal outside with beautiful views out over the Prosser River and Maria Island.”

– Orford Blue Waters, venue/operator

Related reading: Crowne Plaza Hobart: Is It Luxury? Distance & DiningBest Hotels in Launceston: Top Picks and Guide 2025

Additional sources

orfordbluewaters.com.au, tasmania.com, orfordbluewaters.com.au, clubsandpubsnearme.com.au, orfordbluewaters.com.au, bluewatersbistro.com.au, tripadvisor.com

Frequently asked questions

Does Bluewaters Hotel have a pool?

No pool is listed on the official website or mentioned in the Tripadvisor or Hotels.com descriptions we reviewed. The property’s recreational offering centres on its riverfront garden and terrace, not pool facilities.

What is the best restaurant in Orford?

Several dining options exist in Orford. Blue Waters Bistro is one of the few licensed venues with river views. Other local options include the Orford Village Hotel and Anna’s Vietnamese Kitchen, but review volumes vary.

How far is Blue Waters Hotel from the beach?

The property sits on the Prosser River, not the ocean. The nearest ocean beach, Spring Beach, is approximately 2–3 km by car. The riverfront is accessible directly from the property.

Where is Blue Water Beach Resort located?

Our research did not confirm a venue matching “Blue Water Beach Resort” in Orford, Tasmania. The name appears in search queries but may refer to a different property or region. We recommend verifying the exact location before booking.

How much does it cost to stay at Blue Waters?

Accommodation pricing was not independently verified from a primary source during our research. For current rates, check the official website or a booking platform such as Hotels.com. The bistro menu items are reported at $8–$12 per dish.

Sources cited

  • Orford Blue Waters – Home (official site, history claim)
  • Orford Blue Waters – Restaurant (bistro hours and scenic positioning)
  • Orford Blue Waters – Contact Us (address and general hours)
  • Orford Blue Waters – Rooms (villa count)
  • Tripadvisor – Orford Blue Waters Hotel (rating and review volume)
  • Hotels.com – Orford Blue Waters (check-in/out, bistro description)
  • Trip.com – Orford Blue Waters (aggregated rating)
  • Publocation – Orford Blue Waters (venue capacity and directory data)