Hike through native bushland and be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of this sweep of white sand protected by pink granite mountains in Freycinet National Park.
Gleaming white sands and aquamarine waters form the wide arc of Wineglass Bay, a breathtaking beach on the Freycinet Peninsula. This remote paradise is renowned for its beauty and is an idyllic spot to stop for a swim or a beach stroll. Accessible only via a bushland walking track or a scenic cruise, Wineglass Bay is an ideal daytrip within the pristine Freycinet National Park.
Pack supplies for a relaxing beach day and embark on your hike to the bay. The walk is usually done in two stages. Make the rocky ascent along a gravel track that winds through pink granite outcrops and she-oak woodlands to a lookout wedged between the twin peaks of the Hazards Range. This viewing area between Mt. Amos and Mt. Mayson presents your reward for the uphill hike: a stunning vista of Wineglass Bay. You’ll see the luminous band of white sand framed by rugged tree-covered mountains. Snap photographs of the iconic crescent bay and its pristine waters before making your descent down to the beach.
Emerge from the woodlands after a short rocky scramble downhill and find yourself within the secluded bay. Swim in the clear, sheltered waters and explore the rock pools to the north of the bay. A half-hour stroll will bring you to the southern end of the bay, where you can look back across the sweep of sand toward the sheer face of the Hazards. Grab your book and recline in the sand, listening to the gentle waves breaking on the shore.
You can also reach Wineglass Bay on a scenic cruise trip along the Freycinet Peninsula’s extraordinary coastline. Depart from the pretty beaches of Coles Bay and enjoy an expertly prepared picnic lunch on the sands of Wineglass Bay. See the stunning bay from above on a sightseeing flight.
The Wineglass Bay walking track departs from the car park on the northeastern edge of the Freycinet National Park. The lookout is about a half-hour walk from the car park, while Wineglass Bay itself is about a 3-hour return trip. Pack plenty of water and snacks for your walk. A pass is required to enter the national park.
