Freycinet National Park was the highlight of our Tasmania trip. Although rainy for most of the year (they average 10-15 days per month!), it’s a beautiful coastal gem
Pre-Planning
- Freycinet National Park is on the East side of Tasmania, a 2 hour drive from Hobart Airport or a 2 hour drive from the Bay of Fires
- It’s a coastal landscape with rocky coves, sheltered bays, white sand beaches and decent hiking
- It rains a LOT here (although less than West Tasmania) which will make the water “less blue” and block one of the best hikes here called Mount Amos. We visited in the middle of February which is the height of their summer and it rained almost the entire time. Check this site for the most recent weather forecast
- Because it rains so much, it’s best to stay here for a longer period of time (5-7 days) so you have a better shot at sunny days. It was cloudy the entire time we were here, so not a ton of blue water views for us!
- The park is pretty small and easy to get around, so don’t worry too much about where to stay. Most of the accommodations will be close enough.
- A park pass is necessary
What to Do
1 – Wineglass Bay & Hazards Beach Circuit
This confused me at first too. The Hazards Beach Circuit is a 12.8km loop hike that encompasses Wineglass Bay Lookout, continues down to Wineglass Bay Beach, and then loops back to the parking lot. You can also do just the Wineglass Bay lookout which is a 3km one way (6km total) there-and-back hike.
The hike to the lookout is a little steep, going up stairs, and fairly crowded. The lookout is even more crowded, so plan to head there either early or late. After the lookout, you will continue another 15 minutes or so to Wineglass Bay.
You will then head inland on a flat, well-maintained trail for 45 minutes until you reach Hazards Beach. Hazards is much more secluded than Wineglass Bay Beach. We stopped for lunch here and enjoyed the views.
After that, the trail goes in and out on relatively flat ground. The entire hike took us around 4 hours at a leisurely pace with photo, lunch, and rest breaks.
2 – Cape Tourville Lighthouse & Sleepy Bay
Cape Tourville & Sleepy Bay are two smaller hikes, but because they’re so short I grouped them together.
Sleepy Bay is really pretty and definitely sleepy. It’s really quiet and rockier, versus the white sands of Hazards Beach. It will take you around 20 min to explore here.
Cape Tourville goes around a lighthouse and will also take you about 20 minutes if you stop and read the interpretive signs.
Other Things We Didn’t Do
Mount Amos Hike! I wish we could have done this hike, but it needs to not rain for 2 straight days so the rocks are not slippery. Unfortunately it was on and off raining the entire time we were here.
What to Pack
The hiking here is really relaxed. Normal sneakers are fine if you don’t hike Mount Amos. Same with normal workout gear. The only thing you need to make sure to bring is your rain jacket! I’m still using my North Face HyVent rain jacket, which I’ve had for over 8 years now!
