Freycinet National Park is home to Tasmania's most photographed view and every year thousands of visitors come to explore this pristine coastal environment.
Freycinet National Park is approximately 2.5 hours to 3 hours drive from either Hobart or Launceston. The small holiday town of Coles Bay borders the park, and the largest nearby town is Swansea. Image thanks to Aydan Marrier.
The visitor centre is well worth a visit, retelling the region’s cultural and natural heritage through creative displays.
Activity options are plentiful. You can choose to participate in a tour or get to the major locations by car or bicycle. Take a walk to the pass overlooking the perfectly shaped Wineglass Bay or try less strenuous activities like beach strolls, swimming or wildlife spotting. Kayak, snorkel, or dive in the clear waters to get up close to abundant marine life. Image thanks to: Flow
There are many walks to choose from across the park with a variety of lengths and degrees of difficulty. Longer walks can be more difficult and you should prepare by bringing basic first aid equipment, snacks, and raincoats for changing weather. Image thanks to Tourism Tasmania & Geoffrey
There are also many scenic drives around Freycinet that are worth a look including around Cape Tourville and The Friendly Beaches.
More than 500 plants have been recorded within the park, including over 80 species of orchids. Several species have a restricted distribution and many others are listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TSP Act).
Wildlife is one of the many treasures of Freycinet. Freycinet is home to 49 species that can only be found in Tasmania. Mammals found include the Red-necked Wallaby, Eastern Quoll, Brushtail Possum, Ringtail Possum, Sugar Glider, Eastern Pygmy Possum, Little Pygmy Possum, Echidna, wombats, New Holland Mouse, Swamp Rat, Water Rat, Tasmanian Bettong and the Long-nosed Potoroo. Cetaceans such as Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale, and Bottlenose Dolphins are known to use the bay to feed, calve or to take rests. There are also numerous reptiles that are found at Freycinet including lizards, skinks and snakes. Image thanks to Tourism Tasmania & Petra Harris.
Make sure you pick up the area’s bird spotting guide from the park’s entry station on the way in. The Moulting Lagoon is a RAMSAR wetland sanctuary and home to black swans, waterfowl and a range of other migratory birdlife. They range from large predator species such as the brown falcon (Falco berigora) to smaller species including the fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) and flame robin (Petroica phoenicea). There are also several species which are listed on the TSP Act.
Accommodation in and around Freycinet National Park ranges from onsite camping to luxury eco-retreats. You need a camping permit to camp at Freycinet. The nearby coastal towns of Swanick, Swansea and Bicheno also have a range of places to stay ranging from luxury to budget accomodation standards.
Visit Coles Bay’s cafes and restaurants to enjoy a wide range of cuisine. Seafood lovers will appreciate the produce, including east coast oysters, mussels, rock lobster, and scallops. There are also a range of vineyards around the area which are open for wine tasting. Image thanks to: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett.
