Things to do in Coles Bay

No. 20 of Spring Outings in Australia

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park is located on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, and consists of three parts: Schouten Island at the southern end, the Freycinet Peninsula in the middle connected to the mainland, and Friendly Beaches to the north. Most visitors focus their activities on the Freycinet Peninsula. The star attraction here is Wineglass Bay—a crescent of snow-white sand nestled between azure waters and pink granite peaks. It is particularly photogenic when viewed from above and is the park's signature view. The park's vegetation is well-preserved, and wildlife such as wallabies and parrots are often seen along the trails. You may also have the chance to see white-bellied sea eagles soaring over the sea near the lookout. Hiking is the main activity. An easier route is to cross the saddle ridge to reach the Wineglass Bay Lookout. Once on the platform, you can overlook that white arc. If you have the energy, you can continue down to the bay to walk on the fine white sand. A more relaxed option is the boardwalk at Cape Tourville, which is several hundred meters long. It is flat, suitable for all ages, and offers panoramic views of the coast and Wineglass Bay. For a more in-depth experience, you can challenge yourself with the peninsula circuit hike. The entire route is about 30 km and generally takes two or three days. There are hiker campsites at Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach, Cooks Beach, and Bryans Beach, where you can stop and rest in sections. The town you must pass through to enter the park is Coles Bay. Prices in the local area and around Freycinet are relatively high, and accommodation is limited during peak season. If you cannot book a room, consider staying in Swansea to the south or Bicheno to the north. Both towns have plenty of dining and accommodation options. Supplies within the park are limited, so you must bring your own drinking water for hiking and camping. Only fuel stoves are permitted in the park year-round.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Freycinet National Park

Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay is located on the Freycinet Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, and is the signature bay of Freycinet National Park. It is surrounded by the jagged pink granite peaks of the Hazards, and its white sandy beach outlines a near-perfect arc that meets the clear, blue-green water, with an overall silhouette resembling a wine glass filled with fine wine. There are various theories about the origin of its name: one says it is because of its shape, and another relates it to the history of whaling in the early days. This bay is hidden behind a ridge and cannot be seen from the road. To catch a glimpse of it, you need to put in some effort: the standard route is to follow the trail over the saddle of the Hazards to the lookout, which takes about an hour for the round trip. The crescent-shaped white beach carves a clean arc on the azure sea and is a frequent subject in photos of Tasmania. If you want to actually step onto the beach, you can continue down from the lookout to the bottom of the bay, then loop around via the isthmus to Hazards Beach, forming a circuit that takes about half a day. If you are energetic and the weather is dry, you can also challenge Mount Amos to get a high-altitude view of the entire bay from the steep granite summit; however, it is not recommended to climb when it is raining as the rock surface is slippery. The town of Coles Bay near the park entrance and the nearby Swansea are common places to stay. Departing from Coles Bay by cruise or kayak, you can also appreciate this bay from a different angle on the sea, where dolphins are often spotted along the way, and sometimes whales.

Wineglass Bay Lookout

The Wineglass Bay Observation Platform is a viewing platform on the mountain near Wineglass Bay. Here is a good position to enjoy the wine glass bay, the whole bay has a panoramic view, and the shape of the wine glass can be clearly seen.

Honeymoon Bay

Honeymoon Bay is located in Tasmania, Australia, in Freycinet National Park, facing the Great Oyster Bay, which is another well-known bay in Freycinet National Park besides Wineglass Bay.

Coles Bay Jetty

This is a pier in Coles Bay, one of the main departure points for travelers heading to Fremantle National Park and the surrounding waters for adventure and recreational activities. Here, you can enjoy water activities such as kayaking, sea fishing, and diving, or take a boat tour to explore Coles Bay and the surrounding waters.

Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Lookout

BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park

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Wineglass Bay Beach

Coles Bay