in Tasmania, Australia
Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay
Tasmania's stunning coastal park featuring perfect crescent beach with white sand and turquoise water. Hike to the lookout for iconic views or kayak along dramatic granite coastline.
Freycinet National Park occupies a rugged granite peninsula on Tasmania's east coast near the town of Coles Bay, approximately 200 kilometres northeast of Hobart. The park covers 16,800 hectares and was first gazetted as a reserve in 1906, making it one of Tasmania's oldest protected areas. It encompasses pink-red granite mountain ranges, sheltered bays, dense coastal scrub, and the coastal heathland that blazes with colour between August and November. The park is best known for Wineglass Bay, a crescent-shaped beach widely ranked among the most beautiful in the world, whose white quartz sand and turquoise water lie cupped between the Hazards mountain range and the Tasman Sea.
The most popular walk is the Wineglass Bay Lookout track — 2.5 km return from the main car park, gaining 260 metres of elevation through Casuarina and banksia heath to the saddle between the Hazards. Most walkers reach the lookout in 45–60 minutes. Those continuing to the beach descend a further kilometre of steep rocky switchbacks to the sand. The complete Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit is 11 km and takes 4–5 hours at a moderate pace, traversing a flat 4 km beach walk between the two bays. The full circuit avoids retracing steps and is the most rewarding day walk in the park.
The Hazards, a series of pink granite domes rising sharply from the shoreline, are best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when low light highlights their distinctive colour. Kayaking is popular around the peninsula, with calm conditions typical before afternoon sea breezes build. Several operators offer guided sea kayaking day trips and multi-day expeditions departing from Coles Bay. Rock climbing is also practised on the Hazards' granite faces.
Admission to the park costs $30 per adult and is free for children under 18. The car park fills by 9 AM on summer weekends — arriving before 8 AM or after 3 PM reduces crowding significantly. Online timed-entry booking through the Parks Tasmania system is available for day visitors. Camping is available at Wineglass Bay Beach (accessible on foot only), at Honeymoon Bay near the park entrance, and at remote coastal sites. Accommodation in Coles Bay is very limited and books out months in advance over the Christmas and Easter periods.
Hours: Park open 24 hours
Best for: hikers, beach lovers, photographers, kayakers
Visit / Book / Contact
Location
Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay TAS 7215
-42.1458, 148.3000 — View on map
Highlights
- Wineglass Bay — a crescent of white quartz sand and turquoise water framed by the pink granite Hazards range, reached via a 2.5 km lookout walk
- Pink-red granite Hazards range, best photographed in early morning when low sun highlights the distinctive colour of the domes
- Sea kayaking around the sheltered peninsula bays, with calm morning conditions and clear water
- Hazards Beach circuit — an 11 km loop linking Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach across varied coastal terrain
- Secluded Wineglass Bay Beach, accessible only on foot or by water, with excellent swimming and no road access
Tips
- Wineglass Bay lookout hike is 11km return, 2.5 hours
- Descend to beach for swimming and relaxation
- Book accommodation early - limited availability
FAQ
How long is the walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout?
The lookout is 2.5 km return from the main car park, gaining 260 metres of elevation. Most visitors reach it in 45–60 minutes. Continuing down to the beach adds another kilometre each way of steep rocky track, making it a 4.5 km return walk in total.
Is park entry booking required in advance?
Day visitors must purchase a park pass ($30 adult, free under 18), available at the park gate or online via Parks Tasmania. The car park fills very early on summer weekends — online timed-entry booking is strongly recommended from late December to February.
Is the park suitable for young children?
The Wineglass Bay Lookout track is rocky and unsuitable for strollers, but Honeymoon Bay just inside the park entrance has a sheltered beach, calm shallow water, and easy paths ideal for families with young children. The beach is a short walk from the car park.
Accessibility
The Wineglass Bay Lookout track is rocky and uneven, unsuitable for wheelchairs or mobility aids. Honeymoon Bay has a short accessible path to the beach. The Ranger Station and visitor facilities at the park entrance are accessible. Visitors with mobility limitations should contact Parks Tasmania for guidance on suitable routes.
When to visit
November to April offers warm swimming conditions and long daylight hours; arrive before 8 AM on summer weekends to secure car park space. Winter (June–August) brings fewer visitors, clear skies ideal for photography, and dramatic sea conditions, though swimming is cold.