Coles Bay & Freycinet

 

 

 

 

 

Whichever direction you take to Coles Bay, you’ll take the Tasman Highway, north or south, to the turnoff to Freycinet National Park. There’s only one road in and out, so keep informed about weather conditions and fire danger warnings, especially during summer.

 

Another thing to be wary of is the spellbinding beauty of The Hazards as you approach, which can be distracting. The road begins to wind quite tightly from the moment you first glimpse these majestic rocky outcrops; and about when you’ll start to encounter oncoming traffic more frequently than you’ll have done for a while.

 

So save the spellbound gawping for when you’ve arrived at your destination. Stop the car, get out and soak up the vista. We’ve been here several times and I never tire of looking at it.

 

Coles Bay is a beautiful destination in its own right, and serves also as the perfect starting point for a day or more’s exploration of Wineglass Bay, via The Hazards. Let your fitness level and the advisory signs determine the degree of your adventure; but be advised that the difficulty of the walk is not overstated. The easiest option is to walk as far as the observation platform, looking down into Wineglass Bay. The walk down to the bay is quite steep in sections, and is only downhill on the way to the beach. 

 

If you choose to follow the Hazards Beach Track across the low, marshy terrain between Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach and on to the southwest corner of the peninsular, be advised that the walk back to where you parked at the Freycinet National Park carpark is longer than the distance you’ve already walked, and though flatter terrain, is also physically challenging. Wear a hat, take clothing for a change of weather, carry and drink lots of water, maintain your energy levels with snacks or sandwiches; and don’t forget the sunscreen.

 

There really is a lot to see and experience in this corner of Tassie, whether you rock your explorer thang, or opt to sit back in a deck-chair, relax and enjoy the scenery with a chilled glass or three of something special. Very much recommended.