Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Freycinet Aqua Express Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay Half Day Trip

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Skip the 1,300 steps of the Wineglass Bay lookout track: a 30 minute boat ride from Coles Bay lands you on Hazards Beach, and a flat half-hour walk across the isthmus puts you on the sand at Wineglass Bay. You get about three hours ashore before the boat takes you back.

Days

About 4 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Shared water taxi

Start / finish

Coles Bay / Hazards Beach / Wineglass Bay / Coles Bay
Coles Bay, around 2.45pm

Return

Coles Bay, around 2.45pm

Transport

12 metre catamaran water taxi with bow ramp

Meals

No meals are listed as included; bring a picnic

Route

Map of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Freycinet Aqua Express Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay Half Day Trip

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Included experiences

Great Oyster Bay — 30 minute cruise past granite shores, watching for seals and dolphins
Hazards Beach — step ashore from the bow ramp
Isthmus Track — easy 2 km walk through coastal bush, with echidnas and wallabies
Wineglass Bay — about two hours on the beach for a paddle or picnic

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Freycinet Aqua Express Hazards Beach and Wineglass Bay Half Day Trip

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: COLES BAY TO HAZARDS BEACH

Meet the boat at the ramp in Coles Bay and climb aboard Southern Edge, a 12 metre catamaran with an enclosed cabin. The 30 minute ride runs south along Great Oyster Bay beneath The Hazards, pink granite peaks about 400 million years old, said to be named after a 19th-century whaling captain, Richard Hazard. The crew talk about the area's history and wildlife on the way, so keep watching the water for fur seals, dolphins and seabirds, and in season for passing whales. Then the bow ramp folds down onto Hazards Beach and you step off onto the sand, perhaps with wet feet.

THE ISTHMUS TRACK TO WINEGLASS BAY

Walk to the end of Hazards Beach and look for the old shell middens in the dunes: heaps of oyster and mussel shells left by Aboriginal people who feasted here for thousands of years. The Isthmus Track then crosses the narrow neck of the Freycinet Peninsula, 2 km of flat, marked path through coastal bush and past lagoons, about half an hour on foot. Bennett's wallabies and echidnas are often about. And then the trees open onto Wineglass Bay, said to take its name from whaling days when the water ran red, and you've skipped the 1,300-odd steps of the lookout track.

MIDDAY: YOUR TIME ON THE SAND

The next few hours are yours. Spread out the picnic you brought, wade into water so clear you can see your toes in it, or walk the length of the beach and back with the granite of The Hazards rising behind you. This is a water taxi rather than a guided tour, so you set your own pace in Freycinet National Park, one of Tasmania's two oldest national parks, both declared in 1916.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO COLES BAY

Allow half an hour to walk back over the isthmus for the early-afternoon boat from Hazards Beach, and you're at Coles Bay by mid-afternoon. Keen walkers can skip the boat and walk out instead, over the Wineglass Bay lookout track or around the Hazards circuit.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Coles Bay boat ramp, Garnet Avenue, Coles Bay. Be there 15 minutes before departure. A pick-up from Freycinet Lodge can be arranged.
Departure time: Around 10.45am, with the pick-up from Hazards Beach around 2.15pm. Exact times are confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Coles Bay, around 2.45pm.
Minimum age: No age or height limits.
Fitness: The 2 km Isthmus Track is gentle and mostly flat, about 30 minutes each way. You need to step from the bow ramp onto the sand.
Please note: This is a water taxi, not a guided walk: once ashore you look after your own safety and timing in the park. The service runs daily except Christmas Day and isn't set up for guests with access needs. If the trip is cancelled for weather you get a full refund; it isn't cancelled for low numbers.

What to bring

Parks pass
Water, food or a picnic
Sunscreen
Beach gear
Walking shoes and a layer for changeable weather
No more than one bag or backpack per person

What is included

Return water taxi, Coles Bay to Hazards Beach (out about 10.45am, back about 2.15pm)
Commentary from the crew on the cruise

Not included

Tasmanian national parks pass, required for Freycinet National Park; buy your own before you go
Food and drink

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.