Freycinet National Park & Wineglass Bay

---

Freycinet & Wineglass Bay

On our way to the east coast, we took a down day in Launceston where we relaxed at Cataract Gorge Park for the afternoon. After our day on Cradle Mountain, simply walking to the park from the car was an experience! We needed a full day just to stretch out our muscles.

We intended to do a good walk at Freycinet National Park the following day, but our plans were delayed due to rain, wind and nearly zero visibility. We relaxed with a couple of DVDs at our B&B and headed back to the park the following morning.

Once again, our patience was rewarded with a sunny, blue sky. We trekked up to the Wineglass Bay lookout and had a beautiful view of a secluded white-sand beach (one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world). We followed the trail down to the beach itself and spent some time lounging on the rocks with some small spotted lizards.

We then walked across the isthmus to Hazards Beach. This beach was not very pretty at all, scattered with oyster and spiral shells as well as lots of washed-up slimy things. We continued along the coast back to the carpark (total of 11 km) through a fairly even track where we were treated to lots of wildlife, including a black tiger snake (the 8th most venomous snake in the world). Luckily, the snake moved away as quickly as we wanted to. We also saw several wallabies munching along our track, one with a beautiful little joey having his own lunch right from his mother’s pouch.

Next stop ... Hobart and Port Arthur.

---

Photos

Tom overlooking the bay
There were lots of spots to sit and appreciate the view.

Rock Lizard
In the midday sun, many of these little lizards came out to get warm.

Relaxing
Now, that's a relaxing park bench! This was on the hike up to the Wineglass Bay lookout.

Wineglass Bay
A panorama of Wineglass Bay. Beautiful, white sand beaches surrounded by lush green hills.

Wineglass Bay
A closer view of Wineglass Bay. The brochures said the hike up to the viewing area was quite challenging, but after Cradle Mountain, this was a breeze!

Wineglass Bay
Through some of the foliage at the lookout.

Wineglass Bay
More of the same...

How'd they do that?
Not sure how those people got to the top of those rocks...

White Sand
Fine, white sand at Wineglass Bay.

Shells at Hazards Beach
After the clealiness of Wineglass Bay, the many shells found at Hazards Beach were really interesting.

Wallaby
Although not far off the path, this wallaby didn't pay us much interest.