Freycinet National Park’s Best Day Hikes

Last Update: September 2026

After such an amazing time hiking in Cradle Mountain, we had fallen head over heels in love with the Tasmanian wilderness. We knew we had to go back to discover more of this beautiful state, but with only three days over the Labour Day long weekend, we had to choose just one area to explore.

Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park had been on our list for a long time, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I love researching our trips almost as much as I love taking them, and well before we left I had already made a list of all the hikes I wanted us to attempt. Three days, several hikes… no pressure!

After almost missing our flight thanks to Melbourne’s crazy peak-hour traffic, an overnight stay in Launceston and an early drive down the east coast, we finally arrived at Freycinet National Park, ready for a big weekend of hiking.

And what a beautiful place to hike! From the famous views over Wineglass Bay to challenging mountain climbs and secluded beaches, Freycinet has some incredible walking trails. Here are our favourite hikes from our three days exploring the national park.

Mt Amos hike – 4 km

After paying for our park pass at the visitor centre, we drove to the Walking Tracks car park to begin our first hike, Mt Amos. The start of the hike was easy; the first kilometre was a flat gravel path.

At the end of the first kilometre, we came across a warning sign, informing us of a change in the track condition. It turned into a steep and demanding path winding over steep slabs of bare rock. As we walked on ahead we emerged above the tree line.

We were suddenly blinded by stunning views of the Coles bay area and Freycinet Peninsula. The steep hike didn’t feel so steep as we found ourself stopping many times for breaks to take photos. Some boulders were extremely slippery. If you plan on attempting this hike, wear proper hiking shoes. The boulders were mostly dry for us but I can imagine how slippery it would be if there had been rainfall the night before! It’s definitely not a good idea to attempt this hike on a rainy day.

Pulling ourself up over boulders was a bit of an awkward challenge and pretty funny at times, but once we finally made it to the top of Mt Amos the reward was worth it. With unmatched views of Wineglass Bay, and spectacular views over the Freycinet National Park, all the huffing, puffing and sweating was quickly forgotten.

We started our hike early which meant that we only had to share this view with one other couple at least for the first few minutes. It was so peaceful. We spent a good hour enjoying the view, taking pictures and having a well-deserved snack. By the time we left many other people had joined us to the top and we met many more on our way down.

The hike back down was a lot easier but some parts were scarier on the way down as we had to pretty much slide over some of the huge boulders. We sure had a good laugh watching each other getting down in any way we could!

The hike takes about three hours return but you will want to spend a fair amount of time at the top enjoying the scenery. Don’t rush your time at the top. It’s so beautiful; enjoy it! After the hike, we made our way back to Coles Bay to grab a well-deserved lunch and glass of wine. Coles Bay has splendid views over the granite peaks of the Hazards.

Wineglass Lookout-Wineglass Bay-Hazards Beach circuit – 11 km

On our second day, the plan to start our hike early was foiled by morning rain. That’s the thing about Tasmania; you never know if you’ll get a sunny day or a rainy day. Hiking in the rain has never been my cup of tea so we waited for a bit.

By 10 o’clock the rain had eased but had not completely stopped. We decided we could wait all day for it to stop or just start hiking anyway. So we drove to the walking track. Starting early makes a difference as we struggled to find a spot in the parking lot. It seemed like nobody else cared about hiking in the rain; just me!

By the time we found a parking spot the rain seemed to have stopped; so off we went on another great hike. The first part of the hike headed up to the Wineglass Bay lookout. It is a short but quite steep track and takes about an hour depending on your speed and how often you stop for pictures! It provides you with fantastic views over the Coles Bay area before you reach the lookout. From the lookout, you get a great view of Wineglass Bay and Mt Freycinet although the view from Mt Amos was better in my opinion.

When we first got to the lookout our view was obstructed by many clouds. It was annoying but unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about the weather! You can’t always plan it the way you want. We decided to hang out at the lookout for a while and see if the clouds moved away. Eventually, they started to clear and we got a better view. Remember to be patient during bad weather!

From the lookout, we started following the path down to Wineglass Beach. Of course, a trip to Freycinet National Park can’t be complete without stepping on Tasmania’s most famous beach! The path down was quite easy since it was pretty much all downhill. After a thirty minute walk, we took our first step on this breathtaking white sandy beach. There were a few people at the start of the beach but as we carried on towards Mt Freycinet it became deserted.

It was so pretty. Had it been a hot summers day, I would have jumped into that crystal clear water. But being autumn in Tasmania, it was way too cold for us. Instead we spent an hour or so walking on the fine sand, taking pictures and enjoying the stunning scenery we had in front of us.

From Wineglass Bay you can either take the same path back to the carpark; or take the Isthmus track on to Hazard beach and then follows the coast around the Hazards. We decided to take this option since the weather had thankfully cleared up and it had now turned into another sunny day!

The track from Wineglass bay to Hazard Beach is flat with some boardwalk areas. It takes about forty-five minutes to reach Hazard Beach and it is a peaceful walk. We passed through vegetation and the Hazards Lagoon on the left.

Once we got to Hazard Beach, we stopped for a while to take a break and to enjoy another beautiful beach and the splendid views of Promise bay. The track heads North of the beach and then follows the coastline back towards the carpark. On the way are many little coves that would be great for swimming in hot weather. There are also many other photo opportunities. The end of the trail is slightly up-hill towards the car park.

Reaching the car park my legs were pretty tired! It had been a long day and a long hike, especially since we were still recovering from the Mt Amos hike the day before! I was looking forward to sitting down on the deck of our cabin with a glass of wine, relaxing and enjoying the sunset.

Cape Tourville and Sleepy Bay

We had kept the easy walks for our last day in case we were exhausted. We also needed to head back to Launceston to catch our evening flight back to Melbourne.

The Cape Tourville trail is an easy 600 metre loop with coastal views of the peninsula’s east coast. We enjoyed checking out the views and watching the waves crashing onto the rocks below. The Cape Tourville lighthouse is quite small and rather unexciting, but the views definitely make this short hike worthwhile.

Our second stop was Sleepy Bay. From the carpark, a well- maintained track took us down to Sleepy Bay in about ten minutes. Sleepy Bay offered more sweeping views of the Freycinet Peninsula. It was however not at all sleepy but quite rough! Definitely not a place to swim. From Sleepy Bay we kept walking further for another twenty minutes to the Little Gravelly Beach. Little Gravelly Beach is beautiful with many pink granite rocks covered in orange lichen. It would have been a great place at sunset! If only we had found this spot earlier!

Unfortunately, our time in the Freycinet National Park came to an end and we had to say goodbye. Once again we had a fabulous time in Tasmania and as always left wanting more. But fortunately for us is Tasmania is only a short one hour flight from Melbourne. It is easy to head there for just the weekend. We are looking forward to our next trip in January! This time, we will be exploring the Tasman Peninsula.

Best Time to Hike in Freycinet

Freycinet National Park can be explored year-round, but spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are particularly good times for hiking, with generally milder temperatures and fewer crowds than during the peak summer holidays.

Summer offers long days and warmer weather, but it is also the busiest time of year. Winter can be beautiful and much quieter, although temperatures are cooler and the weather can change quickly.

Whatever the season, always check the forecast before setting out. This is especially important if you are planning to climb Mount Amos, as the steep granite slabs become extremely slippery and dangerous when wet.

How Many Days Do You Need in Freycinet?

We spent three days in Freycinet, which gave us enough time to tackle several of the park’s best hikes without rushing too much.

If you’re short on time, you can see some of the highlights in one day, including the Wineglass Bay Lookout and Cape Tourville. However, we’d recommend at least two to three days if you enjoy hiking. This gives you time for longer walks such as Mount Amos and the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit, as well as some of the shorter coastal walks.

How to Get to Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park is on Tasmania’s east coast, next to the small town of Coles Bay. It’s approximately 2.5 to 3 hours’ drive from both Hobart and Launceston.

Having your own car is the easiest way to explore Freycinet, particularly if you want to visit several trailheads, beaches and viewpoints. The main entrance and visitor centre are reached by driving through Coles Bay, and the roads to the main visitor areas are sealed.

Freycinet National Park Pass

You’ll need a valid Tasmania Parks Pass to enter Freycinet National Park.

If you’re only visiting Freycinet for one day, you can purchase a 24-hour pass. However, if you’re spending several days exploring Freycinet or planning to visit other Tasmanian national parks during your trip, the Holiday Pass may offer better value as it covers Tasmania’s national parks for up to two months.

Pass prices change periodically, so rather than listing prices here that may quickly become outdated, check the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service website for the latest fees before your visit.

What to Pack for Hiking in Freycinet

For the longer hikes, bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection and layers, as Tasmania’s weather can change quickly. Good walking shoes are essential, and if you’re tackling Mount Amos, wear shoes with excellent grip for the steep granite sections.

We’d also recommend carrying a small daypack, rain jacket and, of course, a camera — you’ll definitely want it for those Wineglass Bay views!

Where to stay in Freycinet?

For our two night stay, we checked in to the Edge of the Bay Resort. The Edge of the Bay was a lovely place to stay. Only five minutes drive from the Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre, the location was perfect. The view of the sunset from the beach fronting the resort was awesome and we had the pleasure to see many wallabies and pademelon during our stay. Our cute wooden cabin was comfortable and also had some stunning views from the bedroom, the living area and the decking area.

Freycinet National Park FAQs

Is Mount Amos difficult?

Yes. Mount Amos is a challenging Grade 4 hike with steep sections and scrambling over large granite slabs. You need a reasonable level of fitness, good footwear and confidence on steep terrain, but the views over Wineglass Bay are incredible.

Can you hike Mount Amos in the rain?

No. Do not attempt Mount Amos when the rock is wet or if rain is forecast. The steep granite slabs become extremely slippery and dangerous. Save this hike for a dry day.

Is the Wineglass Bay Lookout worth it?

Absolutely. It’s one of the most famous views in Tasmania and the walk is relatively short. However, if you’re fit enough to climb Mount Amos, we think the view from the top is even better!

How long is the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk?

The Wineglass Bay Lookout walk is approximately 2.6 kilometres return and takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. You can continue down to Wineglass Bay itself if you have more time.

Can you swim at Wineglass Bay?

Yes, you can swim at Wineglass Bay, although the water can be pretty chilly! There are no lifeguards, so always take care and check the conditions before swimming.

What is the best hike in Freycinet National Park?

For us, Mount Amos was the highlight. It’s much more challenging than the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk, but the panoramic view from the summit is spectacular. If you prefer a longer walk without the steep scrambling, the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit is another fantastic option.

Do you need hiking boots for Freycinet?

Good walking shoes are fine for many of Freycinet’s easier trails, but we’d recommend proper hiking shoes or boots with good grip for Mount Amos. The granite can be extremely slippery, particularly if there is any moisture on the rock.

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