Freycinet Visitor Centre

 

Located within the entrance to the park, the centre introduces the natural and cultural heritage of this region through creative displays.

Staff are on hand to help with your enquiries,centre is open daily from 8am to 5pmNovember - April and 9am to 4pm May - October.

 

Park shop

Inside the visitor centre is a Park Shop, which sells a range of products includingpark passes, postcards, posters film, clothing, and an extensive range of natural history books. Many of the products are exclusive to the Park Shop having a special Freycinet logo embroidered

or printed on them.

 

Day visitor facilities

Electric barbecues, picnic tables, water and toilets are located at Honeymoon Bayand Ranger Creek.

 

Refuse disposal/collection and recycling

Please help by pre-sorting your rubbish before placing it in rubbish boxes and bins provided near the powered campsites. We recycle glass bottles and jars, aluminium cans and PET soft drink bottles. Please do not leave any rubbish where it will be accessible to wildlife.

 

Fires

Freycinet is a fuel stove preferred area as it is very dry and vulnerable to fire. No fires are allowed in the national park. Gas and fuel stoves may be used at all campsites except on days of Total Fire Ban. On days of Total Fire Ban, no naked flames of any sort, including gas and fuel stoves are allowed in the open. The electric barbecues provided at Ranger Creek and Honeymoon Bay picnic areas can be used for cooking on these days.

 

Water supply

Taps are located: along the sand dune access road; at the Honeymoon Bay picnic; and on power poles at the powered campsites.

 

The Coles Bay water supply is stretched to its limit and consequently, water restrictions are in force until further notice. We ask that you use water wisely and do not wash cars or boats. It is recommended that water be boiled before drinking.

 

Outdoor theatre

This is located just behind the Visitors Reception Centre and the entrance is sign posted off the main road. The nearest car parking area is the overflow carpark behind the visitors centre or at Ranger Creek, 200 metres away. The theatre is used for film and slide shows, for entertainment and as an activity meeting place during the summer period.

 

The theatre is available throughout the year for schools and other groups. Contact the Visitor Centre for further details.

 

Honeymoon Bay

Freycinet National Park offers visitors a range of wonderful opportunities to enjoy spectacular coastal scenery, colourful wildflowers and a variety of Tasmania's animal life

 

Scenic drives

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. We are upgrading facilities, 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. Basic camping is permitted at Isaacs Point and Ridge Camp, though there is no fresh water. Isaacs Point also has pit toilets.

 

Ranger led activities

During summer, rangers offer a variety of activities such as walks, talks and slide shows for both adults and children. Besides being lots of fun these are a great way to learn about our national parks, wildlife and heritage.

 

Water activities

Sleepy Bay is a great place for snorkelling and diving, while Honeymoon Bay is a good sheltered area suitable for beginners. Spectacular rockpools occur at both of these locations, as well as at Ranger Creek, and are well worth a look. Please don't disturb the sea creatures as they are fragile.

 

Day walks (short walks)

Important! Before planning any walks, be sure to check the weather.

 

Day Walk Planner

Boots and preferably gaiters are needed. A good map is essential.

 

Short

(Under 2 hours return)

 

Cape Tourville (see above)

Sleepy Bay

Little Gravelly Beach

Wineglass Bay Lookout

Scenic Lookout, Friendly Beaches

Saltwater Lagoon, Friendly Beaches

 

Medium

(2-4 hrs return)

 

Wineglass Bay

Mt Amos

 

Long

(4-8hrs Return)

 

Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach Circuit

Hazards Beach

 

Sleepy Bay

10 minutes return - Drive to the signposted turnoff to the left, just past Freycinet Lodge. Stop at the carpark at Sleepy Bay. Gently graded steps lead to the rocky shoreline of Sleepy Bay which, despite its name, often experiences wild and rough seas.

 

Little Gravelly Beach, Sleepy Bay

30 minutes return - After enjoying the seascape above Sleepy Bay, follow the track that leads to the right. This provides beautiful coastal views before a steep descent to this delightful cove. While the track is easy to follow, it is rough underfoot in places and passes close to some high cliff tops.

 

Wineglass Bay Lookout

1 hour return - This walk will give you one of Tasmania's most celebrated views over the beautiful white sands of Wineglass Bay. The track is a short, fairly steep climb to the saddle between Mt Amos and Mt Mayson. From the saddle, a side track leads to a new lookout, with spectacular views over Wineglass Bay. When returning to the carpark, take care on the downhill sections as the loose gravel surface can be slippery.

 

Scenic Lookout, Friendly Beaches

5 minutes return - The signposted parking area is just off the Isaacs Point Road. After a short walk to the vantage point you can see uninterrupted views of the Friendly Beaches and its wonderful dune system.

 

Saltwater Lagoon, Friendly Beaches

40 minutes return - Follow the signs from the Isaacs Point road south to the carpark at the barrier gate. The walk along an old vehicular track traverses private property and ends at the edge of the Lagoon. The Lagoon abounds with waterfowl, particularly black swans. Return by the same route.

 

Half-day walks

 

Wineglass Bay - 2 1/2 hours return

As for the Wineglass Bay lookout walk, then continue on downhill to this superb bay with its long white sandy beach and crystal clear seas. A 20 minute walk along the beach to its southern end will give you magnificent views of the Hazards. Return to the carpark via the same route, or make the circuit route described below.

 

Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach circuit

4 to 5 hours - After enjoying the delights of Wineglass Bay you cross the isthmus to Hazards Beach. To get there turn right from the Wineglass Bay track just before the Wineglass Bay Beach. After half an hour of flat walking, you reach Hazards Beach. Turn right and follow the beach to its northern end. Here you join up with another track that follows the coastline for about 5 1/2 kilometres around the base of Mt Mayson before reaching the carpark. This is about an 11km walk.

 

Hazards Beach

5 to 6 hours return - After reaching Hazards Beach walk south along this lengthy shore. You are following in the footsteps of the Aboriginal people who once lived here, as is evident from the numerous shell middens in the dunes along the beach. After retracing your steps along the beach take your choice of returning the way you came (shorter by about an hour) or the Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach circuit, to return to the carpark.

 

Mt Amos

3 hours return - Mt Amos is part of the range of granite mountains, known as the Hazards, which dominate Coles Bay. The track to the summit is steep and strenuous, but walkers are rewarded with panoramic views. This walk is not recommended for the elderly or young children. Walkers must be equipped with robust walking shoes or boots as the track climbs steeply over sheets of bare rock and can be slippery, especially after rain. Caution should be exercised on this track.

 

Longer/Overnight Walks

 

Some of Freycinet's more remote and beautiful areas can be visited by taking long day or overnight walks.

 

The Freycinet Peninsula Circuit is a popular three day walk (or longer if you spend some leisurely days on the beach).

 

Campsites for overnight walkers are situated at Wineglass Bay, Hazards, Cooks and Bryans Beaches.

 

Water is normally available in water tanks at Cooks Beach and in Jimmy's Creek between Mt Graham and Cooks Beach. Less reliable sources can also be found in Laguna Creek at Hazards Beach and where the track crosses the top of Grahams Creek. There is no water at Wineglass Bay or Bryans Beach. Please check with the ranger regarding water availablility before commencing overnight trips.