Tasmania’s east coast is one of Australia’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, and deep within the ancient wilderness of Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay sits right at the centre of it all. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, the Freycinet Peninsula has a way of stopping you in your tracks.
This guide walks you through five unmissable stops along the Wineglass Bay trail, each one more rewarding than the last. So lace up your boots, pack your camera, and get ready. This isn’t just a walk. It’s an experience you’ll be talking about long after you get home.
Wineglass Bay Beach
Consistently ranked as one of the top ten beaches in the world, Wineglass Bay Beach is unlike anything else. That curved shoreline of white silica sand, framed by the pink granite peaks of the Hazards range and lapped by turquoise water, is the kind of view that stays with you long after you leave.
You can reach the beach by foot via a scenic hike, or if you want to experience the bay from the water, the Wineglass Bay cruises take you past the towering granite cliffs, the vibrant pink peaks of the Hazards range, hidden sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls, with views of Cooks and Bryans beaches along the way. Keep your eyes open too for little penguins, shearwaters and if you are visiting in the right season, even humpback whales.
Schouten Island
Sitting just 1.6km south of the Freycinet Peninsula, Schouten Island is a remote, untouched sanctuary where it truly feels like just you and nature. With no ferry service or permanent settlement on the island, the only way to get there is by joining a half-day adventure cruise that departs from the Coles Bay Boat Ramp on Garnet Avenue, with pick-ups also available from Freycinet Lodge.
The cruise takes you across the sparkling waters of Great Oyster Bay before you disembark directly onto the pristine white sands of Crocketts Beach. From there the island is yours to explore. Take a dip, bring your own snorkel gear and discover the crystal clear shallows, or simply soak up the serenity of this paradise. For those with a little adventure left in them, the one-hour return hike up Bear Hill rewards you with sweeping views back over the rugged Freycinet Peninsula.
Hazards Beach
Hazards Beach is one of those hidden gems that many visitors walk straight past on their way to Wineglass Bay, but it absolutely deserves a moment of your time. Framed by the dramatic granite peaks of the Hazards range and lapped by calm, crystal-clear water, this secluded stretch of sand has a quiet, unhurried beauty that is hard to find anywhere else on the peninsula.
From here, a gentle 2km walk along the Isthmus Track through the bush brings you straight to Wineglass Bay in around 30 minutes, making it the perfect stepping stone between the two beaches. And if you want the easiest way to get here, a scenic cruise from the Coles Bay Boat drops you directly onto the beach, with the local crew pointing out seals, dolphins and seabirds along the way.
Wineglass Bay Lookout
The Wineglass Bay Lookout sits at 294 metres above sea level along the Hazards Mountain range and is the most iconic vantage point on the entire Freycinet Peninsula. From up here you get that classic bird’s-eye view of the bay’s perfect crescent shape, framed by white silica sand on one side and the deep blue of the Tasman Sea on the other, and suddenly the name Wineglass Bay makes complete sense.
The trail to the lookout starts at the Freycinet National Park car park and covers roughly 2.6 kilometres return, taking most walkers around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The path is well maintained but does involve a steady climb up granite steps, so comfortable shoes are a must.
For the best experience, arrive early in the morning when the light is soft, the air is crisp, and the lookout platform is quiet. On a clear day the views stretch as far as Schouten Island to the south, making it one of the most rewarding short hikes in all of Tasmania.
Cape Tourville Lighthouse
Standing at the northernmost tip of the Freycinet Peninsula, Cape Tourville Lighthouse is the perfect way to round off your Wineglass Bay adventure. Built in 1971 and fully automated, the lighthouse itself is compact, but the views it commands are anything but.
A short 20-minute boardwalk loop from the car park brings you to the cliff edge, where the panorama opens up across the Tasman Sea to the east, Wineglass Bay to the south, and the sweeping coastline of Tasmania’s east coast stretching out in both directions. It is one of the few spots on the peninsula where you can take in so much of the landscape in a single glance.
The walk is flat and accessible for all fitness levels, making it a great final stop before heading back. Time it for late afternoon and you may just be rewarded with one of the most spectacular sunsets this part of Tasmania has to offer.
Final Thoughts
The Wineglass Bay trail is more than just a walk through some of Tasmania’s most stunning scenery. It is a journey through one of the most remarkable corners of Australia, where every stop adds a new layer to the experience.
From the world-class sands of Wineglass Bay Beach to the remote wilderness of Schouten Island, the ancient beauty of Freycinet National Park, the iconic views from the lookout, and the sweeping panoramas at Cape Tourville Lighthouse, this trail has something for every kind of traveller. Take your time with it. The Freycinet Peninsula is not the kind of place you rush through.