Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast is best known for its spectacular coastal scenery. It includes the famous Wineglass Bay, which is regularly rated as one of the ten best beaches in the world.
Day 10, Sunday, September 15: Freycinet National Park
On our way to Coles Bay on Saturday afternoon from Port Arthur, we drove through a forest on a muddy road and with no other car in either direction for 18 miles (29 kilometers). It was a little bit spooky and as a result we now had a very dirty car. By 5 pm, we reached our destination: Coles Bay, the seaside holiday village, which is a great base for exploring Freycinet National Park.
Our accommodation was in Freycinet Lodge, in cabin #1 – apparently with the best view of the bay, but also with a spacious and very cold handicap bathroom.
After buying our entrance ticket into this popular Park on Sunday morning, we walked up to Wineglass Bay Lookout on a well-constructed path, which included 430 stone stairs. After a 40-minute walk, from the lookout surrounded by the granite boulders, called “The Hazards,” we enjoyed the beautiful view of the crystal-clear water.
There were many benches along the way for people to rest. I especially liked the unique “Saddle Seat,” designed by two architecture students in 2000.
Then we continued down 1000 stairs to the crescent-shaped, white-sand Wineglass Bay Beach, knowing that it would be 1000 stairs on the way back too. Plus, all those other stairs to go back down to the parking lot. It was a very good workout, but we took our time, and it was worth every effort.
The beach was indeed spectacular. We wished it was summer, so that we could spend an afternoon enjoying all it had to offer.
We drove to Sleepy Bay and then walked up to Cape Tourville lighthouse. This walk is one of Tasmania’s 60 great short walks providing magnificent views of the coastline. An added bonus was seeing migrating whales in the Tasman Sea.
Around 3 pm, we said goodbye to this amazing place, and headed to our next stop, Launceston in northern Tasmania.
