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/decide.htm
Freycinet
National Park in Tasmania
- http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/index.html
-
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 www.freycinetbeach.com.au
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. Visit www.ilukaholidaycentre.com.au
Freycinet
National Park -
Camp Grounds at Richardsons Beach, Honeymoon Bay
and Ranger Creek - unpowered sites and powered sites.
(Important
- Conditions apply - scroll down to the Freycinet
National Park section ) as 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. Freycinet
Paddle and Adventures www.freycinetadventures.com.au
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.
Freycinet
Coles Bay - http://www.freycinetcolesbay.com
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