Freycinet National Park: Choose your perfect short walking adventure.
Freycinet National Park, located on the east coast of Tasmania, is a nature lover's paradise. With its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, and breathtakingly beautiful granite peaks, it's no wonder that Freycinet is one of the most popular destinations in Australia. But with so many different short walking trails to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? We've listed some options:
Wineglass Bay Lookout: For those looking for a short walk (1-1.5 hour) with stunning views, this is a great option. This moderate 3km semi-loop walk is popular for good reason, offering expansive views over the Great Oyster Bay and a steep climb past massive granite boulders to the saddle between Mount Amos and Mount Mayson. The marked sidetrack leads to the lookout of the world-renowned arc of Wineglass bay, followed by a descent via the same two-way track to a junction. The right hand, one-way loop track returns through the forest to the car park.
Wineglass Bay Beach: Try this walk if you're looking for a slightly longer (2.5 hour) excursion. This 6km trek/hike takes you a little further, and increases the probability of close encounters with wildlife. From the Lookout (point 1), take the 30-minute descent to the beach (rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world) which is steep with a lower-standard track -rocky with 1000 steps. Include an additional hour for beach walking, picnic lunch or swim. The length of Wineglass Bay takes approx. 25 minutes one-way if you feel like the extra challenge.
Wineglass Bay - Hazards Beach Circuit: For a more challenging and longer (5 hour) hike, this 11km circuit can be walked in either direction and offers outstanding views of pristine beaches, colourful coastal heathland, lagoons, and abundant birdlife. It includes a steep climb over the saddle between Mount Amos and Mount Mason to Wineglass Bay (point 2), before a flat crossing of the isthmus, a walk along Hazards Beach, and a journey through coastal heathland between Hazards Beach and the car park. Adequate water must be carried on this walk and first aid is highly recommended.
Mt Amos: Take this hike for a stunning mountain-top panoramic view of crescent shaped Wineglass Bay, the Great Oyster Bay and Freycinet Peninsula, as well as massive sheets of beautifully stained granite rock. The 3 hour trek to the summit is very steep, strenuous, and only suitable for physically fit, experienced and well-equipped walkers. The track is hazardous, especially in wet conditions, with steep, slippery sheets of bare rock that are challenging to negotiate downhill. But the views cannot be beaten!
No matter which short walk trail is chosen, one thing is for certain: it will be an unforgettable experience.
But what’s really missing from the above listed short walks is the local insights and knowledge that are gained by having a local guide by your side. Hearing the stories, history, culture and context of this stunning landscape allows guests to connect and immerse themselves in the world-class natural environment that surrounds. Our tours also offer guests a unique itinerary with the boat journey allowing guests to walk further than the average tourist and see the less frequented corners of the park.
So join us on a Freycinet Walking Tour - a short half day journey. With a fully catered experience, small group sizes and a focus on quality, this is the perfect way to experience all that Freycinet National Park has to offer.