Wineglass Bay

What’s special about Wineglass Bay?

• A 45-minute uphill walk rewards you with breathtaking views at Wineglass Bay Lookout.
• Enjoy the sheer beauty of The Hazards, pink granite peaks forming the  park’s dramatic backdrop.
• Hop aboard a sea kayaking tour for an intimate exploration of azure bays  and sheltered waterways.

Wineglass Bay, along with Cradle Mountain, is recognised across the world as one of Tasmania’s iconic destinations. But, there is more to this east coast gem than simply capturing your perfect-postcard snap from the lookout. Located in Freycinet National Park, the region is so naturally stunning and blissfully pure that it’s easy to feel as if you are an early French explorer setting first foot on Wineglass  Bay.

It is a region that retains the adventurous spirit of those early explorers, and today you can discover Wineglass Bay your own way. Set out on foot (45 minutes) and head for the Lookout overlooking one the most photographed and stunning views in Australia; then allow yourself another half hour to wander down onto the beach below. Watch for wildlife including white-bellied sea-eagles, quolls, wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils. Or, take to the water on a scenic cruise where you might be lucky enough to witness dolphins diving or a pod of migrating whales in the clearest water you’ll see anywhere.

Take the gourmet approach and  experience a guided walk to Wineglass Bay, including a fine banquet offering  premium Tasmanian cool-climate wines and the freshest crayfish, abalone,  scallops and oysters plucked directly from these pure east coast waters.

More things to do:

  Deep sea fishing
  Rock climbing/abseiling
  Wildlife and birdlife watching
  Scuba diving
  Beach walking
  Mountain biking
  Kayaking

The story of Wineglass Bay:

In 1642, Abel  Tasman explored Tasmania’s east coast and named Schouten Island, a small island  which the French explorer, Nicholas Baudin later landed on in 1802. There were  two senior officers on the Baudin expedition, the Freycinet brothers, one of which the peninsula was named after.

During the early  1800s, the region was popular amongst whaling parties and from 1842 the  discovery of coal and tin attracted miners. In 1916, the area was declared a national park, making it Tasmania’s equally oldest, along with Mount Field National Park.

Travel directions:

Wineglass Bay is approximately 2.5 hours drive from Tasmania’s capital,  Hobart (195 kilometres/121 miles) and around two hours’ drive (175  kilometres/109 miles) from Launceston in Tasmania’s north. It is not accessible by car - a walk over the summit lookout is required.