From short viewpoint hikes to epic overnight treks, here are the best walks in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania!
Freycinet National Park is widely considered one of Tasmania’s, if not Australia’s, most beautiful National Parks. Known principally for Wineglass Bay, the iconic arch of white sand lapped by jewel-coloured water below pink granite peaks.
But, after exploring this region on foot, I’m here to convince you that Freycinet has so much more to offer, especially if you’re a hiker or bushwalker! In this guide, I’ll outline the 10 best walks in Freycinet National Park, with photography to inspire your hikes around the park.
10 Awesome Walks in Freycinet National Park
To start hiking in Freycinet National Park, you need to get to Coles Bay. From here, you'll want to head down Freycinet Drive, passing the Visitor Centre and continuing all the way to the end. Here, you'll find a large "walks car park", where you can leave your car and pick up most of the trails within Freycinet National Park.
1. The Wineglass Bay Lookout Track
- Hiking Distance: 3.5 km return
- Duration: 1-hour return
- Elevation: 160 m elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
The Wineglass Bay Lookout Track is easily the most popular walk in Freycinet National Park. It's an easy stroll on wide, cleared ground. The lookout is situated on the saddle between Mount Mayson and Mount Amos, two of three dominant granite peaks known as The Hazards.
While there is a little bit of elevation involved, there are plenty of places along the track to rest and recover.
At the viewpoint, you'll find a large elevated boardwalk where you can admire Wineglass Bay. The view from here is great, but there are much better views of the bay on other walks in Freycinet below.
If you'd like to continue down to Wineglass Bay, you'll need to take the "1,000 steps" down from the lookout point to the beach. This track is definitely steeper, and takes roughly another 30 minutes.
2. Mount Amos Climb
- Hike Distance: 4 kilometres return
- Duration: 2-3 hours return
- Elevation: 434 m of elevation gain |
Mount Amos summit: 454M AMSL - Difficulty: Tasmanian Parks Grade 4: rock scrambling required
In my opinion, the Mount Amos hike offers the best views of Wineglass Bay. However, you'll need to climb the rather steep granite slab to reach the top. While not technical, it does require a bit of scrambling.
Also, there isn’t a clear “trail” to reach the summit. Instead, hikers follow a route marked by yellow reflective arrows. These are quite easy to follow but can still be a bit tricky in the dark— make sure to bring a good head torch!
Once at the summit, hikers will be rewarded with exceptional views over Wineglass Bay, the neighbouring Hazards peaks, as well as Mount Graham and Mount Freycinet further in the peninsula.
3. Isthmus Track to Hazards Beach
- Hiking Distance: 10 km return
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 320 m total gain (out and back over the Wineglass Bay Lookout track)
- Difficulty: Moderate
A fairly underrated Freycinet National Park walk is the Isthmus Track to Hazards Beach. This track is reached via the northern end of Wineglass Bay. In turn, you'll first need to walk up to the Wineglass Bay lookout, descend the 1,000 steps to the beach and then continue another 1.4 km on a flat and wildlife-filled track to Hazards Beach.
Hazards Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Freycinet National Park and adding this track to your trip to Wineglass Bay ensures you get a good view of both sides of the peninsula.
4. Hazards Beach Circuit
- Hiking Distance: 11 km circuit
- Duration: 3-5 hours
- Elevation: 240 m total gain (undulating at the end)
- Difficulty: Moderate (TasParks Grade 4)
Excluding climbing Mount Amos, I'd say that the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit is the best Freycinet National Park day walk. I say this because this circuit allows visitors to experience loads of diversity, including the Wineglass Bay Lookout, Wineglass Bay beach, the Isthmus track, Hazards Beach and the scenic coastal route over Oyster Bay.
The Hazards Beach Circuit is best completed in an anti-clockwise direction. The circuit begins by climbing the lookout, descends to the beach, crosses the peninsula on the Isthmus Track, then loops back around the Hazards via the coastal track.
5. Cooks Beach Track
- Hiking Distance: 24 km return
- Duration: 8 hours return (best over 2 days camping at Cooks Beach)
- Elevation: 360 m total gain return (mostly on the lookout track)
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Cooks Beach track is a great option for walkers who'd like to complete an easy overnight walk in Freycinet National Park. Following the same route to Hazards Beach mentioned above, walkers can continue south along the beach to the next cove, where the tranquil waters of Cooks Beach await.
Cooks Beach offers a free campsite with composting toilets and an old hut with freshwater tanks (subject to rain). This Freycinet Peninsula walk encompasses a large section of the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit but can be completed on its own for a much easier overnight hike. This is walk is wrapped up by returning on the same track. Alternatively, I'd suggest looping back around the Hazards Beach circuit to avoid ascending the 1,000 steps back up the lookout.
Once at Cooks Beach, there's an option to drop your packs and continue on to Bryan's Beach, adding another 5 km or so return over a flat, coastal bush track.
6. Mount Freycinet Summit
- Hiking Distance: 1.5 km return from the saddle
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1-hour ascent
- Elevation: 350 m elevation gain from the saddle |
Mount Freycinet: 625 m AMSL - Difficulty: Hard
The Mount Freycinet summit hike is a difficult and steep hike. Being the tallest mountain in Freycinet National Park, it also offers the best views of the entire peninsula.
However, to get here, hikers will need to walk all the way to the saddle connecting Mount Freycinet and Mount Graham. Consequently, summiting Mount Freycinet is best attempted on an overnight walk.
There are two ways to reach the saddle, either from Cooks Beach or by climbing the shorter but steeper route from the south end of Wineglass Bay and then up and over Mount Graham. Alternatively, the saddle is passed on the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit so the best way to climb it is on a side trip off this two or three-day walk.
Since there are multiple ways to reach the saddle, the hiking details above simply describe the out-and-back from this point. The climb is fairly steep and pretty much just a constant boulder scramble to the top.
However, rest assured your hard work will be worth it. Views span across the entire peninsula in both directions. Wineglass Bay is visible in the distance, as well as the towering granite Hazards. To the east, you'll see Mount Graham and to the south, the rugged, remote southern coastline of Freycinet National Park.
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7. Mount Graham Summit
- Hiking Distance: 22 km return via Wineglass Bay
- Duration: 7-9 hours return
- Elevation: 920 m total elevation gain (return) |
Mount Graham: 590 m AMSL - Difficulty: Hard
The Mount Graham summit forms part of the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit. However, it is also possible to summit Mount Graham on an out-and-back hike via Wineglass Bay. Again, due to the distance, it's probably a good idea to complete this Freycinet National Park walk as an overnighter.
Luckily, there is a free campsite at the southern end of Wineglass Bay, meaning hikers can leave their packs here before making the steep ascent up and over the quartzite ridge and then summiting Mount Graham.
The Mount Graham summit offers very similar views to Mount Freycinet and is only a few metres shorter. However, since this rocky peak is slightly further to the east, the views of the Hazards and Wineglass Bay are a little clearer.
8. Freycinet Peninsula Circuit
- Hiking Distance: 46 km (walked in a “figure-eight” with Mount Freycinet summit & Bryans Beach track)
- Duration: 2 or 3-day trek
- Elevation: 1,800 m total elevation gain
- Difficulty: Tasmanian Parks Grade 3 (entry-level overnight trekking)
The Freycinet Peninsula Circuit is the stand-out of all the Freycinet National Park walks. That's because it encompasses all of the tracks listed above in a long, rewarding loop with incredible views.
There are several ways to complete this track. However, I suggest walking it in a figure-eight loop towards Cooks Bay first, finishing by wrapping around the Hazards. on the Hazards Beach Circuit. This way, you'll cover everything the park has to offer.
I completed this circuit in two days and stayed at Cooks Beach campground. However, this meant that the second day was rather long. I've written a comprehensive guide to this circuit which I'll link below. Here, you'll find more recommendations for the journey, as well as an alternative camping spot that allows a better sunrise summit of Mount Freycinet.
Related: The Maria Island Walk in 3 Days
9. Cape Tourville Circuit
- Hiking Distance: 600 m
- Duration: 15-20 minutes
- Elevation: Mostly flat
- Difficulty: Easy
If you're looking for one of the easiest walks in Freycinet National Park then the Cape Tourville circuit is it. This track begins at a separate car park at the end of Cape Tourville Rd.
The track is elevated and well-constructed and requires no steep ascents. This walk loops to an automated lighthouse overlooking the coast with sights including the Hazards, Wineglass Bay and "The Nuggets", a rocky offshore outcrop.
The Cape Tourville lookout point is a good spot to watch whales complete their yearly migration to and from Antarctica.
10. Sleepy Bay & Gravelly Beach Track
- Hiking Distance: 1.5 km return
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Elevation: Mostly flat
- Difficulty: Easy
Wrapping up this list of awesome walks in Freycinet National Park is another easy stroll to a scenic granite-pebble peach. This track begins at Sleepy Bay car park and continues to the right past the lookout before descending gently to Gravelly Beach.
This beach is different to most in the area since its shores are covered in tiny granite pebbles which have fallen from the peaks and worn smooth by the battering sea.
Where to Stay Near Coles Bay For Walks in Freycinet
My top 3 choices for places to stay before enjoying the walks in Freycinet National Park.
1. Picnic Island Luxury
Ever wanted to stay on a private island? What better place to do so than on Picnic Island, a beautiful island gem just off Coles Bay. Visitors will have the entire island to themselves with rustic waterfront cabins and a fully-equipped kitchen and living area.
2. Freycinet Lodge Mid-Range
Located in a waterfront location within Freycinet National Park, it offers luxury cabin-style accommodation, two restaurants, and a bar. You’ll also get a buffet breakfast included. This is one of the best-located spots to begin your Freycinet National Park walks.
3. Eagle Peaks Budget
This is a unit-style accommodation option featuring a dining and seating area, a fully-equipped kitchen, and great scenery at your doorstep. It has good WiFi and free private parking near Coles Bay.
More Adventure Experiences in Freycinet
Experience the unique beauty of Freycinet NP onboard this scenic boat trip with Peniccott.
2. Freycinet & Wineglass Bay Active Day Trip
A convenient way to explore the hiking trails and sweeping lookouts of Freycinet on an active day trip from Hobart.
3. Wineglass Bay Scenic Flight Unique
A once-in-a-lifetime experience flying over the incredible Wineglass Bay– surprisingly affordable too!
More Tassie Adventure Guides and Blogs
I hope this quick travel guide to the ten best walks in Freycinet has been useful in planning your visit. For more Tasmanian travel and adventure inspiration, make sure to check out some of the other relevant posts below.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!