On the edge the Freycinet National Park is Coles Bay, a local popular destination. If you are feeling adventurous and you have the equipment, you can take a two days walk past Wineglass Bay to the tip of the Peninsular and back with spectacular views along the way, although the majority of tourists simply walk to the top of the first ridge (approx. 1 ½ hrs return) and take in the spectacular views of Wineglass Bay itself.
For a day trip enter the park and follow the signs to Wineglass Bay. You have to climb a steep, yet well defined and maintained, walking track to the top of the hill, where you will be rewarded with one of the most iconic views in Tasmania, with giant boulders, steep hillsides, seacliffs, and a remarkable view of Wineglass Bay and Hazards beaches. If you are lucky, a local wallaby will appear in the north corner of the beach. Although friendly and inquisitive you should not feed them, as gum-disease is a big problem for local animals.
You can take the Hazards Beach route for your return journey. You will pass through the swampy, low-lying area behind Wineglass Bay and exit onto Hazards Beach, the other side of the peninsular and lined with abalone and scallop shells left from the aboriginal communities that lived there hundreds of years ago. Follow the signs to the car park and you will be treated to an hour walk with yet more spectacular views of Coles Bay, a peaceful forest, and a look back on Hazards Beach.
On the way out from the Freycinet National Park you will find a turn off to Friendly Beach, a series of cool little camping areas filled with wildlife. It is not uncommon to have a friendly wallaby or hungry possum show up at your campsite. The area is also known for its great surf - the locals flock in the early morning to surf the reef- and beach-breaks that this stretch of coastline provides, although you will have to have a National Parks Pass to stay here. Another option is to drive to the end of River and Rocks Road to the free camping area there!
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