Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay
Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay is a truly spectacular part of Tasmania. Seascapes set against the backdrop of "The Hazards," red and pink granite mountains that dominate the setting. Freycinet (pron. Frey-sin-A ) National Park is Tasmania's Eastern most National Park.
Many walking trails, from simple one-hour round trip walks to the Wineglass Bay Lookout, to the longer walk to Cape Degerando at the Southern tip of the peninsula are available and advice on the ecology, geology, flora and fauna of the Park are available from the excellent Interpretation Centre at the Freycinet Lodge.
The road ends at the entrance to the National Park, and the only access to Wineglass Bay is on foot or by boat. Wineglass Bay is pristine because it takes effort to get there and there are no casual passers-by. It is well worth the time and effort to visit if you are looking for the "real, natural" Tasmania. Climbing the hills and walking on the coast is a real experience - there are very few sounds but nature, and the clarity of the water will astound.
If you want to include a visit to Freycinet in an active, cycling and walking trip from Launceston to Hobart, consider 7-Day Tasmania Cycling and Walking Trip from Launceston to Hobart as your method of visiting Freycinet and Wineglass Bay. To spend more time in the area at a very active level, the 3-Day Freycinet Walking Expedition from Launceston might be the way to visit.
Since Coles Bay and Freycinet are major visitor holiday areas for Tasmanians, and visitor numbers can be high, it is always wise to book your accommodation ahead of arrival. Check out the Freycinet and Coles Bay Accommodation options. Also find out more information on deals for hotels at Freycinet and Coles Bay.
find out more about Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay Tasmania
Walking to Wineglass Bay
Walking to Wineglass Bay, The Saddle and Hazards Beach at Freycinet National Park.
This walk on the Freycinet Peninsula includes some lovely beach scenery and also traverses the rugged high points on the Peninsula. If you do not wish to make a long day of it, just walk as far as Wineglass Bay and then cut West across the isthmus and follow the track back to the entrance of the National Park. The track across the isthmus is at the northern end of the beach, so you might want to walk along the beach and back before returning.
From the Parking Lot near Freycinet Lodge, follow the well defined track to Wineglass Bay. The track crosses a Saddle between Mt Amos and Mt Mayson at an elevation of approximately 200 meters (600 feet) and provides an opportunity for looking out over Wineglass Bay. Follow the track down from the saddle to Wineglass Bay beach itself and then walk south to the end of the beach where the track will then turn inland and climb up Quartzite Ridge. The track, like most in this Park, is well defined. If you are making the shorter trip, walk back along the beach and then cut across the isthmus.
After about 2 hours and quite a deal of climbing, the track swings southwest gradually as it approaches the high points of the Peninsula. The actual summit of Mt Graham is reached by a short trail running 60 yards west off the main track.
After the Mt Graham summit diversion, follow the track down a fairly steep descent to a saddle between Mt Graham and Mt Freycinet. You will then follow along the eastern slopes of Mt Freycinet to the saddle, before the track turns to the right and heads fairly steeply downhill to Cook's Beach. If desired, take the hour or so to walk along Cook's Beach, or just turn right and follow the track northwards along the coast towards Hazard's Beach. After walking the length of Hazard's Beach, divert to the Lamana Lookout at the northern end and then follow the track along the coastline and back to the parking lot at the entrance to the park itself.
If doing the full day, it is a 6 to 7 hour walk and it would be wise to make sure you have a substantial lunch and sufficient water for a day's walking with you. The shorter version of the walk should take about 3 hours.
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