Freycinet National Park Travel Guide
Granite Peaks & White Sand Beaches
- Ratings:
- Be the first to rate this.
-
Reviews:
-
Be the first to write a review
Jutting out into the sea on Tasmania's mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. The Freycinet Peninsula is one of Tasmania's most scenic coastal areas. The imposing granite peaks of the Hazards and the many white sandy beaches that dot the peninsula are among the highlights of the National Park. Combined with a typically mild, maritime climate, the scenic beauty of the area attracts many visitors each year.
The Freycinet Peninsula has formed over 400 million years as shown by the timeline below. The tectonic (mountain building) activity below the earth’s surface resulted in the separation of a large granite mass. The extent of this granite can be seen from Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, then down to the Kent Group, Flinders Island, the East Coast of Tasmania, with the most southerly signs being two rocks off the Tasman Peninsula.
Freycinet is effectively two eroded blocks of granite joined by a sand isthmus. These are the Hazards and the Mt Graham/Mt Freycinet sections of the peninsula. The low lying isthmus joining these areas was built from accumulated gravels that eroded from the mountains and washed into their current place by higher sea levels. When the sea receded the isthmus was exposed.
Attractions in Freycinet National Park
Many species of birds live in or stop over at Freycinet and the surrounding area. You may be lucky enough to see a white-bellied sea-eagle gliding overhead or large Australasian gannet diving for food in the ocean. In the bushy and forested areas you'll often see or hear small nectar-feeding birds such as eastern spinebill and yellow-throated, crescent or New Holland honeyeaters. You may also see or hear large yellow-tailed black cockatoos, which often feed and fly in raucous groups. Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve, just outside the park on the Coles Bay Road, is a wetland of international importance and is also worth a visit.
Activities in Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park offers visitors a range of wonderful opportunities to enjoy spectacular coastal scenery, colourful wildflowers and a variety of Tasmania's animal life. Take the scenic drives to Cape Tourville - the 6.4 kilometre sealed road take you to the boardwalked track around the cliffline to the lighthouse. Along this fenced track are sweeping views along the coast.
Visit The Friendly Beaches - Spectacular views and miles of unspoiled white sand beaches are the main features of The Friendly Beaches, which were added to the national park in 1992. The beaches can be reached via a signposted turnoff on the Coles Bay Road.
Ranger led activities are on offer during summer, such as walks, talks and slide shows for both adults and children. Besides being lots of fun these are a great way to learn about the national parks, wildlife and heritage.
Sleepy Bay is a great place for snorkelling and diving, while Honeymoon Bay is a good sheltered area suitable for beginners. Spectacular rockpools occur at both of these locations, as well as at Ranger Creek, and are well worth a look.
Relaxing
Easy, just stretch out on one of the unspoilt beaches.
Getting Around
The park is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours from either Hobart or Launceston. Turn off the Tasman Highway (A3) (which runs down the east coast of Tasmania) onto the Coles Bay Road (C302) 12 km south of Bicheno. (The turnoff to the Friendly Beaches section of the park is via a gravel road about 2 km after leaving the highway).
The main park entrance and visitor reception are just after Coles Bay township about 30km from the highway on a good quality sealed road.
Please take care when driving between sunset and sunrise as you are sharing the road with wildlife.
Freycinet National Park Reviews
Why not be the first and add your review below?
