Freycinet National Park is on the East Coast of Tasmania.
Freycinet National Park consists of knuckles of granite mountains all but surrounded by azure bays and white sand beaches. The dramatic peaks of the Hazards welcome you as you enter the park.
Freycinet National Park offers a wide variety of activities. Take a walk to the pass overlooking the perfectly shaped Wineglass Bay or try less strenuous activities like beach strolls, swimming or wildlife spotting.
Understand
Freycinet National Park is administered by the Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania.
History
Freycinet National Park was named after its founder, Louis de Freycinet.
Climate
The climate in Freycinet is like most of Tasmania - relatively cool all year round. As it is windy, bringing an umbrella is not practical. Be prepared for all kinds of weather, though.
Landscape
Freycinet has stunning scenery - from the peaks of The Hazards of Coles Bay to the wonderful crescent of Wineglass Bay, Freycinet is a fascinating and breathtaking experience - one not to be missed on a visit to Tasmania.
Flora and fauna
You will be sharing the park with wonderful plants; and animals like wallabies.
Feeding of animals in the park is strictly prohibited, and is unhealthy for the animals. Fines will be imposed if you are caught feeding animals. Rangers are on patrol around the park. You can report people feeding animals to the visitor centre.
Getting there
By Car
Freycinet National Park is about 2.5 hours to 3 hours drive from either Hobart or Launceston. All roads to Freycinet are sealed, so a 4WD is not needed.
When driving from dusk to dawn, do take care as you are sharing the road with wildlife. Drive cautiously and keep a lookout for wallabies and wombats. An advisory speed limit of 60 km/h applies on the roads to and from the park after dark because of the risk of hitting wildlife.
Traveling around
You can get to the major locations by car or bicycle, but then you will have to walk. There are some tours offered to the park.
However, if you do wish to follow tours or use public transport, find more information at the Parks and Wildlife Services of Tasmania's Freycinet National Park Section.
See
Wineglass Bay It has been voted by several travel magazines as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Located on the South East side of the island you can only get to the bay by boat or by a three hour hike over hills from the car park.
If you do not wish to get to the beach, go to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. It is the same walk as the one which takes you to Wineglass Bay itself, but it is half the journey. Enjoy spectacular views and take postcard shots from there.
The Hazards These spectacular mountains of pink granite welcome you as you enter the park.
Things to do
Take the many walks at Freycinet. Be sure to wear proper walking shoes and have a good map. Here is a guide:
Short walks (Under 2 hours return):
Sleepy Bay
Little Gravelly Beach
Wineglass Bay Lookout, well formed, well signposted.
Scenic Lookout, Friendly Beaches
Saltwater Lagoon, Friendly Beaches
Medium walks (2-4 hours return):
Wineglass Bay
Mt Amos
Long walks (4-8 hours return):
Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach Circuit
Hazards Beach
Be sure to check the weather before planning the walks. Besides these walks, there are other shorter walks, like 5-10 minute walks which are worth taking. Get more information at the Freycinet Visitor Centre.
Do take scenic drives around Freycinet. Here is a guide:
Cape Tourville: The 6.4 kilometre sealed road to Cape Tourville leaves from the main road just after the Freycinet Lodge. From the carpark, take the short, boardwalked track around the cliffline to the lighthouse. Along this fenced track are sweeping views along the coast.
The Friendly Beaches: Spectacular views and miles of unspoiled white sand beaches are the main features of The Friendly Beaches, which were added to the national park in 1992. The beaches can be reached via a signposted turnoff on the Coles Bay Road. Facilities are currently being upgraded, which at present are only basic. Gravel roads lead to car parks overlooking the beaches at a couple of points. Some information signs point out interesting features and foot tracks lead to the beaches.
Do participate in water activities at Freycinet. Swim at Wineglass Bay, snorkel and dive at Sleepy Bay and Honeymoon Bay.
Eat
Oystercatcher Cafe: Affordable, delicious fresh local seafood and amazing coffee. The Oyster Catcher Cafe can be found at Coles Bay at the town centre, close to the Post office and ATM. The best fish and chips in the Freycinet Peninsula.
Drink
There is one pub in Freycinet, the Iluka Tavern in the town of Coles Bay which has a bottle shop as well.
Sleep
It is a popular area over Summer so booking in advance is advised. Camping in the park over summer is by application and ballot. There is also accommodation in nearby Coles Bay and Bicheno.
Camping
You need a camping permit to camp at Freycinet. For more information, inquire at the Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre.
Buy
Souvenirs can be bought at the Freycinet Visitor Centre. They are rather affordable, and you can find good stuff there.
Safety
Bring sufficient water when going for walks. Temperature and weather can change drastically, and should be prepared to be caught in a thunderstorm when just minutes ago it was bright and sunny.
Bring raincoats, energy bars and some candy on the longer walks. Anything can happen and you find yourself stranded. Bring basic first aid equipment - some of the walks in Freycinet involve climbing, and a sprained ankle can cause you to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. However you should be more confident to attempt the Wineglass bay lookout walk, which is well formed, signposted, and popular.
On the road, observe speed limits. 50km/h on all Tasmanian streets, and 100km/h on highways unless otherwise signed. Fines are imposed if motorists fail to observe speed limits.
Do not provoke animals, and remember not to feed them.
Fees/Permits
You need a permit for all of Tasmania's National Parks. They can be bought at the national park visitor centre at the park entrance, and there are several different options from a day pass for just this one national park to a pass that is valid for an entire year and includes all National Parks of Tasmania.
The fees are shown below (currency is in Australian dollar):
Daily Pass: up to 24 hours
Per vehicle (up to 8 people): $22
Per person: $11
Holiday Pass: Up to 8 weeks
Per Vehicle (up to 8 people) :$56
Per Person :$28
Contact & location
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The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
Freycinet National Park is on the East Coast of Tasmania. Freycinet National Park consists of knuckles of granite mountains all but surrounded by azure bays and white sand beaches. The dramatic peaks of the Hazards welcome you as you enter the park.
Freycinet National Park offers a wide variety of activities. Take a walk to the pass overlooking the perfectly shaped Wineglass Bay or try less strenuous activities like beach strolls, swimming or wildlife spotting.
Understand
Freycinet National Park is administered by the Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania.
History
Freycinet National Park was named after its founder, Louis de Freycinet.
Climate
The climate in Freycinet is like most of Tasmania - relatively cool all year round. As it is windy, bringing an umbrella is not practical. Be prepared for all kinds of weather, though.
Landscape
Freycinet has stunning scenery - from the peaks of The Hazards of Coles Bay to the wonderful crescent of Wineglass Bay, Freycinet is a fascinating and breathtaking experience - one not to be missed on a visit to Tasmania.
Flora and fauna
You will be sharing the park with wonderful plants; and animals like wallabies.
Feeding of animals in the park is strictly prohibited, and is unhealthy for the animals. Fines will be imposed if you are caught feeding animals. Rangers are on patrol around the park. You can report people feeding animals to the visitor centre.
Getting there
By Car
Freycinet National Park is about 2.5 hours to 3 hours drive from either Hobart or Launceston. All roads to Freycinet are sealed, so a 4WD is not needed.
When driving from dusk to dawn, do take care as you are sharing the road with wildlife. Drive cautiously and keep a lookout for wallabies and wombats. An advisory speed limit of 60 km/h applies on the roads to and from the park after dark because of the risk of hitting wildlife.
Traveling around
You can get to the major locations by car or bicycle, but then you will have to walk. There are some tours offered to the park.
However, if you do wish to follow tours or use public transport, find more information at the Parks and Wildlife Services of Tasmania's Freycinet National Park Section.
See
If you do not wish to get to the beach, go to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. It is the same walk as the one which takes you to Wineglass Bay itself, but it is half the journey. Enjoy spectacular views and take postcard shots from there.
Things to do
Take the many walks at Freycinet. Be sure to wear proper walking shoes and have a good map. Here is a guide:
Short walks (Under 2 hours return):
Sleepy Bay
Little Gravelly Beach
Wineglass Bay Lookout, well formed, well signposted.
Scenic Lookout, Friendly Beaches
Saltwater Lagoon, Friendly Beaches
Medium walks (2-4 hours return):
Wineglass Bay
Mt Amos
Long walks (4-8 hours return):
Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach Circuit
Hazards Beach
Be sure to check the weather before planning the walks. Besides these walks, there are other shorter walks, like 5-10 minute walks which are worth taking. Get more information at the Freycinet Visitor Centre.
Do take scenic drives around Freycinet. Here is a guide:
Cape Tourville: The 6.4 kilometre sealed road to Cape Tourville leaves from the main road just after the Freycinet Lodge. From the carpark, take the short, boardwalked track around the cliffline to the lighthouse. Along this fenced track are sweeping views along the coast.
The Friendly Beaches: Spectacular views and miles of unspoiled white sand beaches are the main features of The Friendly Beaches, which were added to the national park in 1992. The beaches can be reached via a signposted turnoff on the Coles Bay Road. Facilities are currently being upgraded, which at present are only basic. Gravel roads lead to car parks overlooking the beaches at a couple of points. Some information signs point out interesting features and foot tracks lead to the beaches.
Do participate in water activities at Freycinet. Swim at Wineglass Bay, snorkel and dive at Sleepy Bay and Honeymoon Bay.
Eat
Drink
There is one pub in Freycinet, the Iluka Tavern in the town of Coles Bay which has a bottle shop as well.
Sleep
It is a popular area over Summer so booking in advance is advised. Camping in the park over summer is by application and ballot. There is also accommodation in nearby Coles Bay and Bicheno.
Camping
You need a camping permit to camp at Freycinet. For more information, inquire at the Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre.
Buy
Souvenirs can be bought at the Freycinet Visitor Centre. They are rather affordable, and you can find good stuff there.
Safety
Bring sufficient water when going for walks. Temperature and weather can change drastically, and should be prepared to be caught in a thunderstorm when just minutes ago it was bright and sunny.
Bring raincoats, energy bars and some candy on the longer walks. Anything can happen and you find yourself stranded. Bring basic first aid equipment - some of the walks in Freycinet involve climbing, and a sprained ankle can cause you to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. However you should be more confident to attempt the Wineglass bay lookout walk, which is well formed, signposted, and popular.
On the road, observe speed limits. 50km/h on all Tasmanian streets, and 100km/h on highways unless otherwise signed. Fines are imposed if motorists fail to observe speed limits.
Do not provoke animals, and remember not to feed them.
Fees/Permits
You need a permit for all of Tasmania's National Parks. They can be bought at the national park visitor centre at the park entrance, and there are several different options from a day pass for just this one national park to a pass that is valid for an entire year and includes all National Parks of Tasmania.
The fees are shown below (currency is in Australian dollar):
Daily Pass: up to 24 hours Per vehicle (up to 8 people): $22 Per person: $11
Holiday Pass: Up to 8 weeks Per Vehicle (up to 8 people) :$56 Per Person :$28
Contact & location
Be the first one to add a review
The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
Andrea Schaffer, Prince Roy, Jolene Van Laar, Sukkha Pan
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jan, David, Wen Shien, Tim Sandell and Ryan Holliday, Tatatabot, Inas, Texugo, Jonboy, Huttite and PlanB
This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at
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