Freycinet National Park

Home to Wineglass Bay, one of the world's most photographed beaches with its perfect crescent shape and crystal-clear waters surrounded by pink granite peaks. The park offers diverse hiking, abundant wildlife including wombats and wallabies, and stunning coastal scenery.

Things to do

• Wineglass Bay Walk — Hike the iconic 10km return trail to Tasmania's most photographed beach, featuring stunning views of the pink granite Hazards peaks and pristine crescent shoreline.
• Hazards Beach — Scramble down to this secluded beach nestled between dramatic granite cliffs for rock pooling and quieter swimming away from Wineglass Bay crowds.
• Coles Bay Scenic Drive — Drive the winding coastal route around Coles Bay to spot wallabies, wombats, and sea eagles while enjoying sweeping ocean vistas and pullout photo opportunities.
• Cape Tourville Lighthouse Walk — Complete this easy 4km loop walk to a working lighthouse offering 360-degree views of the Tasmanian coastline and excellent whale-watching opportunities in winter.
• Friendly Beaches Walk — Trek through heathland to discover a remote, often empty beach perfect for spotting little penguins returning at dusk and experiencing pristine coastal wilderness.
• Freycinet Lodge Accommodation Hike — Stay overnight at the beachfront lodge and enjoy exclusive access to guided walks and sunset views over Richardsons Beach unavailable to day-trippers.

Food to try

• Tasmanian Salmon — Fresh Atlantic salmon caught from the cold Southern Ocean waters is prepared simply grilled or smoked at local restaurants and lodges around Coles Bay.
• Scallops from Great Oyster Bay — Sweet, tender local scallops harvested from the bay are best enjoyed pan-seared at Freycinet's dining venues to showcase their delicate flavor.
• Tasmanian Whisky — Visit cellar doors near the park to sample award-winning local single malts and whisky cream liqueurs that reflect Tasmania's renowned distilling heritage.
• Wallaby Steak — Sustainable native game meat appears on menus throughout the region, offering a unique local protein with a lean, distinctive flavor.
• Oysters from Oyster Bay — Fresh oysters harvested from the waters visible from the park are served at local establishments, often enjoyed raw with lemon at sunset viewpoints.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Walking Track Closures — Tracks periodically close for environmental protection and maintenance, especially around nesting seasons; always check conditions at the visitor centre before departing.
• Leave No Trace in the Park — Tasmanian national parks operate under strict conservation principles—pack out all rubbish, stay on marked trails, and avoid feeding wildlife to preserve the pristine ecosystem.
• Book Accommodation Early — Freycinet Lodge and nearby Coles Bay accommodation fill quickly year-round due to the park's popularity; book weeks or months in advance to secure preferred dates.