Freycinet National Park
In its own way Freycinet National Park is one of Australia's most
interesting wilderness areas - where else in the world do you see red
granite cliffs tumbling into the cold ocean? This 10 000 ha park is alive
with unusual animals - Tasmanian pademelons, white-breasted sea eagles,
red-necked wallabies - and in season offers spectacular displays of rare
native flora, notably a wide variety of native orchids. It is fair to say
that it is one of the country's most spectacularly beautiful areas and
when the weather is perfect it is hard to imagine a more peaceful and
awe-inspiring piece of coastline.
Freycinet National Park Activities
Cape Tourville
The most popular activities in Freycinet National Park are bushwalking and
scenic views. A good starting point is to drive to Cape Tourville. The 6.4
km dirt road, while hardly amazing, is perfectly adequate for conventional
vehicles. The views are spectacular. Although Wineglass Bay is hidden by
Mount Parsons there is a dramatic view across Thouin Bay to Lemon Rock and
Cape Forestier.
Day Walks
When you enter Freycinet there is a brochure which provides a map and
advice on a series of walks. These walks include an easy ten minute walk
to the beach and rocks around Sleepy Bay. The Bay is on the route to Cape
Tourville and the walk down to the rocks is easy and enjoyable. The kelp
on the rocks is particularly impressive.
There is also a walk to Little Gravelly Beach, a tiny beach nestled between two craggy headlands. This is a 30 minute walk with the final stretch - from the top of the cliffs to the beach - being quite steep.
There are a number of ways to see Wineglass Bay. There is a medium walk of 1 1/2-2 hours which takes the walker to the lookout above Wineglass Bay. There is a 3-4 hour walk which goes to the lookout then continues on to the beach. It returns by the same route. The final route is 5 hours and is a circuit via the lookout and the beach and back to the main carpark.
There are many more walks of varying difficulty in the park. It is hard to imagine a more attractive option than staying for a week in the outstanding, award-winning Freycinet Lodge and spending each day attempting a different walk.
Five Star Review
A
lovely location with stunning walks and close to many fine beaches.