FACTS
GETTING THERE
Freycinet National Park is about 2.5 hours north-east of Hobart( 194km) or two hours south-east of Launceston( 173km).
Beaches, and a chance to spot southern right whales during the winter months. A visit here might be combined with a trip to Sleepy Bay, a popular summertime snorkelling and diving spot, or the Honeymoon Bay rockpools where you can picnic and enjoy a calm, safe swim.
Further afield, experienced trekkers can tackle the three-hour climb up Mount Amos, part of the Hazards range of peaks. This sometimes-slippery endeavour rewards with panoramic summit views shared with few fellow walkers. With a pack on your back, the Peninsula Circuit offers exciting multi-day escapades between the basic campgrounds at Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach, Cooks and Bryans Beaches.
With more days to fill, you can join a host of national park ranger-led activities: free guided walks, talks and slide shows held at the visitor centre’ s outdoor theatre.
For a splurge, take a sea kayaking tour of the peninsula, try rock climbing or abseiling, launch your tinny on Great Oyster Bay or simply spend some time birdwatching at Moulting Lagoon. Named for the vast flocks of black swans that shed their flight feathers on the lagoon’ s shores, Moulting Lagoon is a wetland of international importance with a substantial black swan population. Not only does this enormous waterway attract a diverse range of birds( and duck hunters in season), but it also permits bush camping at a basic campground off River and Rocks Road. To get there, head 8km north of Coles Bay, turn left onto River and Rocks Road and continue for 1km to a shady camp clearing with pit toilets and lots of brushtail possums.
The closest and most popular place to set up camp in Freycinet NP is right on the water at Richardsons Beach. With easy access to walking trails, the camp has 18 powered sites for campervans and caravans up to 5.49m / 18ft and 27 unpowered tent sites stretched along the dunes. In peak seasons – especially Christmas and Easter – another seven sites are opened at Honeymoon Bay, a little further from the camp’ s cluster of amenities. Bearing in mind that this is a wilderness camp, Freycinet offers good facilities with cold water showers, toilets, picnic tables, drinking water, rubbish and recycling bins, a public phone and free electric barbecues to compensate for the ban on campfires.
Close to the park, the Coles Bay township sells everything a long or shortstay camper could possibly need, including fuel, groceries, ice and gas refills. In town there are also some cafes and restaurants for dining out.
Finally, anglers keen to get out on to Great Oyster Bay will find a boat ramp just opposite the local shops.
ACTIVITIES
Numerous walks of varying lengths and difficulties are on offer throughout the park, many with spectacular views. Join the ranger-led activities during peak seasons. Swimming, snorkelling, fishing, beachcombing and birdwatching.
MORE INFORMATION
Park entry fees are $ 24 per vehicle, per day. This makes a Holiday Pass a better deal at $ 60 per vehicle for entry to all Tasmanian national parks for up to eight weeks.
Bush campsites at the Friendly Beaches and Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve are free but offer pit toilets only.
Campsites at Freycinet’ s Richardsons Beach and Honeymoon Bay cost $ 13( unpowered) or $ 16( powered) for up to two people. Extra charges apply for additional people and family rates are available.
For Richardsons Beach and Honeymoon Bay, you’ ll need to enter a ballot by July 31 for summer-time stays( December 18 to February 10) and over Easter.
For further information and campsite bookings, contact the Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre: 1300 827 727, freycinet @ parks. tas. gov. au or search www. parks. tas. gov. au
ADVENTURES
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