Coles
Bay in Tasmania
Coles Bay in Tasmania sits at the
foot of the pink granite mountains known as the 'Hazards'
and on the edge of the world-renowned Freycinet National
Park about a two and 1/2 hours
scenic drive from Hobart and Launceston on the east
coast of Tasmania.
Coles Bay lies between red granite mountains and the
sheltered calm waters of 'Great Oyster Bay' on the rugged
and yet stunning Freycinet Peninsula. An experience
for true seafood lovers is to taste the oysters fresh
from the harvest on the Freycinet Oyster Farm tour.
Bookings are essential. Coles Bay to Swansea - 59 km
around 1 hour, Bicheno - 40 km around 45 minutes, St
Helens - 132 km around 2 hours.
Stop by Kate's
Berry Farm just 2km south of Swansea just 59 km to Coles
Bay- Swansea
Visitor Information Centre
Freycinet
& The East Coast (Includes Wineglass
Bay) in Tasmania
Two
hours drive from Launceston is Freycinet along with
Wineglass Bay. Where else in Australia can one witness
pink granite mountains rising straight from the sea
to form a magnificent sheltered waterway or one of the
top ten Deserted beaches
in the world at Wineglass Bay?
From Hobart
to Freycinet then you can considering head up the
Midlands Highway and enjoy morning tea at the small
township of Ross and look at the remants of the "female
factory", a work facility for female convicts. From
Campell Town one can take a minor road through Lake
Leake onto Freycinet. Lake Leake seem to have the cheapest
powered sites seen anywhereat $8 per night.
The park is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours
from either Hobart or Launceston. Turn off the Tasman
Highway (A3) (which runs down the east coast of Tasmania)
taking you alongside beaches and
tiny seaside towns onto the Coles Bay Road (C302)
12 km south of Bicheno. (The turnoff to the Friendly
Beaches section of the park is via a gravel road about
2 km after leaving the highway). The main park entrance
and visitor reception are just after Coles Bay township
about 30km from the highway on a good quality sealed
road.
Walk along the
powder white sand. Wineglass Bay beach was voted one
of the "Top 10 Deserted Beaches in the World" by Conde
Nast Traveller magazine. http://www.freycinetcolesbay.com/m
Freycinet
National Park in Tasmania - http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/
- Frecyinet National
Park take 1-3 days to relax and explore the Rugged Granite
peaks and white sandy beaches of Freycinet National
Park. Your time here can be as energetic and relaxing
as you want it to be.
Freycinet National
Park also has some stunning walks including the 25-minute
climb to the viewing platform over Wine Glass Bay, regarded
as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Feel
free to explore the park by foot on any of the 7 great
short walks located in the park including the most celebrated
1 to 2 hour return walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout.
Accommodation
places in Coles Bay or Freycinet range from luxury accommodation
to budget accommodation and wilderness camping.
Freycinet Lodge - is Tasmania's
premier environmentally friendly resort having won many
awards and recommendations. The property has 60 tastefully
furnished cabins situated in a bushland setting, which
is located within Freycinet National Park - the home
of spectacular Wineglass Bay. Freycinet Lodge is conveniently
situated inside the park and is close to the beginning
of the walks. Visit http://www.freycinetlodge.com.au/
Pelican Bay Bed & Breakfast
is a traditional Bed and Breakfast a waterfront property
and it backs onto Pelican Bay, a small inlet on the
Swan River just near where it flows into Great Oyster
Bay. Set amongst a very tranquil half an acre of maintained
well-established l gardens that seem attract many native
birds and parrots and their songs. After a day experiencing
all the natural beauty of the Freycinet Coast just walk
out the thir back gate and try your luck at fishing
or stroll along the water's edge to Swanwick Beach for
a swim (can be chillie obviously in certain monts).
http://www.pelicanbaybedandbreakfast.com.au/
Aspect on Freycinet Bed and Breakfast
- is open November to May A beautifully appointed
waterfront B&B providing guests with views over Great
Oyster Bay to the stunning Hazards Mountains of the
Freycinet Peninsula – both enjoyed from your comfortable
Queen size bed. Location is 101 Esplanade, Coles Bay
7215. (Turn right after the Coles Bay town sign and
continue 900 metres along the Esplanade). Email: mhnjcooke@telstra.com
or Tel Nola & Michael Cooke on +61 (0) 407 273 377
Freycinet Bay Apartments -
Prestige Self-Contained Apartments Absolute beachfront
- ultra-modern minimalist design - exclusive, private,
self-contained, 5 star luxury - 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom,
stunning, new apartments. Phone: 0428 245336 or visit
Iluka Holiday Centre at Freycinet
National Park in Coles Bay, Tasmania - offers a
full range of accommodation and amenities including
a tavern, bakery, and shop. Self-contained units, onsite
vans, YHA backpackers hostel, powered & un-powered sites.
Freycinet
National Park - Camp Grounds at Richardsons
Beach, Honeymoon Bay and Ranger Creek - unpowered sites
and powered sites. A ballot system operates for the
Christmas holiday period or email freycinet@parks.tas.gov.au
Wineglass
Bay Lookout - Freycinet National Park - Grade is
Difficult. Steep uphill climb over 1.3km with over 600
rough bush steps and the rigorous uphill walk is not
suited to those with health or mobility concerns. The
4km ride or walk (1 to 2 hours return) can be much steeper
than one expects and you will have to walk your bike
up the bigger hills.The walk into Wineglass Bay starts
with a really steep climb so you may decide to take
a less-steep but the longer return route back along
Hazard Beach. The total circuit/loop is around 11.5
kms. Take 2-3 litres of water per person at least. At
the head of the trail ther are toilet facilities at
car park. Picnic facilities nearby.
The crystal clear waters and white
sandy beach of Wineglass Bay are a tremendous sight.
This is a steep uphill walk on a rocky, well-constructed
track within the Freycinet National Park.
Wineglas Bay - 2.5 hours return
from Wineglass Bay car park inside Freycinet National
Park. This walk in the Freycinet National Park follows
on from the walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Grade
- Difficult. Steep uphill climb over 1.3km with over
600 rough bush steps.
Cape
Tourville - 20 minute circuit walk. Grade is Easy
- the track is wide, with even surfaces and gently graded
slopes. It may suit wheelchair users, who have someone
to assist them, and walkers with strollers. The highlight
is the lighthouse at Cape Tourville. A boardwalk actually
clings below the cliff top. Around half way along the
track stone steps commence to proceed up to the lighthouse.
The Cape Tourville circuit is one of Tasmania's great
short walks.
There are memorial
views towards the north along Friendly Beaches across
to Butler's Point and then south across to Carp Bay
onto Sleepy and Wineglass Bays. Straight out at sea
are 'The Nuggets' being the residence to many migrating
squaking sea birds. Once inside Freycinet National Park,
follow the main road, then turn left onto the Cape Tourville
Road. (The 7km Cape Tourville road is unsealed but is
suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles.). Toilet, picnic
and electric barbecue facilities 7.5km away at Ranger
Creek and Honeymoon Bay.
The
Freycinet Paddle is the ultimate way to experience Freycinet.
Kayaking with local guides and all the equipment is
supplied.
Southern right, humpback, pilot and
on seldom occassions minke whales visit during the winter
months int he area. As with all wild animals sightings
never guaranteed, though if you consider climbing to
the Wineglass Bay Lookout in the early morning you may
be lucky and view whales.
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