Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia

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Freycinet National Park

Top choice in The East Coast


Framed by some of the state's finest beaches and rising into spectacular low mountains, Freycinet incorporates the southern end of Freycinet Peninsula, people-free Schouten Island and the lesser-known Friendly Beaches north of Coles Bay. A photogenic assembly of pink granite mountains, azure bays and white-sand beaches (including Tasmania's most famous beach, Wineglass Bay), the park was named after French navigator Louis de Freycinet and proclaimed in 1916, making it (along with Mt Field) Tasmania's oldest national park.

The bushwalking here is brilliant. Longer hikes include the three-day, 30km Freycinet Peninsula Circuit; shorter tracks include the up-and-over saddle climb to Wineglass Bay. Ascend the saddle as far as Wineglass Bay Lookout (one to 1½ hours return, 600 steps each way) or continue down the other side to the beach (2½ to three hours return). Alternatively the 500m wheelchair-friendly boardwalk at Cape Tourville affords sweeping coastal panoramas and a less-strenuous glimpse of Wineglass Bay. On longer walks, sign in (and out) at the registration booth at the car park; national park fees apply.

The park has a host of wildlife – black cockatoos, yellow wattlebirds, honeyeaters and Bennett's wallabies flap and bounce between the bushes, and you might catch glimpses of white-bellied sea eagles, dolphins or even whales.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The East Coast attractions

1. Wineglass Bay Lookout

3.58 MILES

This fabulous lookout looks out (as they do) over the famous bay from 'the Saddle' – the dip between Mt Amos and Mt Mayson, aka the Hazards. It's a steep…

2. Lemana Lookout

3.66 MILES

Lookout on the Hazards Beach Track, along the western side of Freycinet National Park.

3. Sleepy Bay

4.63 MILES

A beautiful granite-framed cove 10 minutes walk from the Cape Tourville Rd. Great snorkelling and diving.

4. Honeymoon Bay

4.69 MILES

Tiny Honeymoon Bay – a short walk from Freycinet Lodge – comes into its own at sunset when the lichen-covered rocks light up a deep umber.

5. Richardsons Beach

5.37 MILES

An accessible, safe-swimming beach within Freycinet National Park, with much-sough-after camp sites.

6. Cape Tourville

5.7 MILES

There’s an easy 20-minute, wheelchair-accessible circuit here for beautiful panoramas of Freycinet Peninsula’s eastern coastline. Along the way you can…

7. Cape Tourville Lighthouse

5.71 MILES

If you're feeling romantic, Cape Tourville Lighthouse, built in 1971, is a magical spot to watch the sunrise.

8. Muirs Beach

5.91 MILES

Easily accessible beach at Coles Bay township. West-facing equals great sunsets!

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