Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Wineglass Bay Cruise, Vista Lounge (Bring Your Own Food)

Map View Full Details Reviews

A cruise to Wineglass Bay and around the Freycinet Peninsula from Coles Bay aboard the Schouten Passage II, a 150 seat eco-catamaran. This option does not include lunch, so bring your own.

Days

About 4½ hours, 9.45am to 2.30pm

Group size

Max 150

Start / finish

Coles Bay / Coles Bay

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Schouten Passage II, a 150 seat eco-catamaran

Meals

No meals are listed as included; bring your own lunch

Route

Map of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Wineglass Bay Cruise (BYO Lunch)

View map

Included experiences

Wineglass Bay — cruise to the white sand crescent
Freycinet Peninsula — granite cliffs from the water
Wildlife viewing with commentary
Vista Lounge — local wines for purchase

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Wineglass Bay Cruise (BYO Lunch)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: COLES BAY AND THE HAZARDS

You check in by 9.30am at the jetty on Jetty Road in Coles Bay, and the Schouten Passage II, a 150-seat catamaran, leaves at 9.45am. Across the water rise The Hazards, a row of pink and grey granite peaks that glow orange in low sun. The granite formed deep underground almost 400 million years ago. Behind them is Freycinet National Park, which in 1916 became one of Tasmania's first two national parks. Heading south down the bay, the boat passes Cooks Beach and Bryans Beach, which you can otherwise reach only by boat or a full day's walk.

LATE MORNING: SCHOUTEN ISLAND AND THE OCEAN COAST

At the bottom of the peninsula the boat threads the Schouten Passage, the strait between the mainland and Schouten Island, which Abel Tasman named in 1642. The island is a nesting ground for little penguins and short-tailed shearwaters. Then the boat turns out into the Tasman Sea and north up the ocean side of the peninsula, where granite cliffs drop into the water and the skipper stops at sea caves, blowholes and waterfalls. Watch for sea eagles, Australian fur seals on the rocks and dolphins riding the bow, and from May to July and September to December, humpback and southern right whales.

MIDDAY: WINEGLASS BAY

Then the bay opens up: Wineglass Bay, a near-perfect curve of white sand, with the Hazards rising behind it. Most people see it from the lookout on the walking track. From the water, with the boat at rest, you get it from the other side, quiet and close. This ticket is bring your own food, so this is the moment for the lunch you packed. The licensed bar and cafe on board sell light snacks, coffee and Tasmanian wine and beer, and the Vista Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and open decks. If the weather won't allow the run to Wineglass Bay, the boat takes a sheltered route around the Schouten Island group instead.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO COLES BAY

The run home takes you back past the cliffs and through the passage, with the skipper slowing for anything worth seeing. Find a spot on an outside deck with a drink and look back at the peninsula. You're at the Coles Bay jetty at about 2.30pm, with the rest of the afternoon free for the short walk up to the Wineglass Bay Lookout or a swim at Honeymoon Bay.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: The Wineglass Bay Cruises jetty, 61 Jetty Road, Coles Bay.
Departure time: Check in by 9.30am for a 9.45am departure.
Finishes: Coles Bay, about 2.30pm.
Please note: This option does not include lunch. Some light snacks and drinks are sold on board, but please bring your own lunch.

What to bring

Your own lunch

What is included

Wineglass Bay and Freycinet Peninsula cruise
Commentary on landmarks, wildlife and history

Not included

Lunch — bring your own
Drinks and light snacks, sold on board

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.

Reviews

4.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(4/5)

Our Wineglass Bay cruise in early October was well organised with a friendly crew, and we saw two southern right whales, a seal colony and an eagle the skipper swore was there. Enjoyable, though for the cost I half wished I'd walked to the lookout instead, and the ride back was flat and a bit queasy.

Gary Chow Verified· Travelled 31st July 2026

Read original ↗