Freycinet National Park, Tasmania - review

Endless hiking trails and beautiful empty beaches are just some of the reasons you need to visit this exquisite Australian gem
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Georgia Hopkins3 October 2018

With the recent unveiling of Freycinet Lodge’s stunning new Coastal Pavilions, there has never been a better time to visit this special corner of Australia’s Tasmania.

Nature and luxury meet here, in the world-renowned Freycinet National Park; a place where wildlife is abundant and you can immerse yourself in natural splendour of the Australian bush.

Where is it?

Sitting half-way between Hobart and Launceston, Freycinet National Park is located on Tasmania’s east coast. Occupying most of the Freycinet Peninsula, it overlooks the Tasman Sea to the east, and the Tasmanian coastline to the west, and was declared Tasmania’s first national park back in 1916, along with Mt Field National Park.

Home to one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Wineglass Bay, and with a dramatic backdrop of pink granite peaks, this is one special place.

The Bay View Coastal Pavilions shining in the sun

Where to stay?

Freycinet Lodge is the only place to stay within the park, looking out over the blue waters of Great Oyster Bay, with the rugged Hazards mountain range behind.

The brand new coastal pavilions were designed by local architects, Liminal Studiom, and sit on the water’s edge. These nine pavilions offer simple luxury, and I was lucky enough to stay in one of their Bay View rooms. Made of glass and Tasmanian Oak, the buildings' form is said to represent the costal granite rock’s 'smooth, rounded and beautiful forms', and the exterior, clad in a beautiful charred wood, was designed to symbolise the use of fire and charcoal in Aboriginal culture.

The pavilions are completely private, surrounded entirely by bushland. With a king size bed, outdoor wooden bathtub, separate living area and deck, and views over Great Oyster Bay through the trees, the pavilions make for the ultimate romantic getaway.

Looking out from the bathroom over your own private outdoor hot tub

What to do?

With endless hiking trails and beautiful empty beaches on offer, there is much to keep you busy. If you are looking for a more challenging (but rewarding) hike, I recommend the one up to Mt Amos. More of a scramble than a hike, it is a decent 1.5hr walk to the top, involving the scaling of slippery rock faces (avoid in wet weather). The views from the top, down over Wineglass Bay, make the struggle worthwhile.

An easier option would be to take the well-trodden path to the Wineglass Bay lookout.

A short walk from the car park, the view down over the bay’s perfectly curved beach is also spectacular, and another great expedition is the three-hour return trip that continues on from the Wineglass Bay lookout down to the beach, and then back around to the park entrance via the Hazards.

For a much longer hike (I am talking more like two days), you can take on the whole length of the Freycinet Peninsula, passing through places like Cooks Beach and Bryans Beach.

Sunrise from the Cape Tourville lighthouse

I would also recommend getting up early one morning to catch the sunrise from the Cape Tourville lighthouse. The pink granite of the Hazards glow the most beautiful pink at both sunrise and sunset, and the views out over the ocean are incredible.

If you are feeling a little lazy, however, opt for one of the Freycinet cruises which takes you around the peninsula.

Other activities include fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, scenic flights and strolling down to the pretty Richardson Beach near the lodge.

On the drive into (or out of) Freycinet, I would also suggest stopping into Friendly Beaches. A beautiful, endless white sandy beach with (often) not another person in sight. If you are there during whale season (May to November), you might be lucky enough to spot some humpback and southern right whales on their annual migration.

Not a bad little view from Richardson’s Bistro

Where to eat and drink?

The lodge itself has a number of dining options. The Bay Restaurant is the most formal, Richardson’s Bistro is for casual dining, and the Hazards Bar and Lounge is for drinks and snacks (try out their excellent selection of Tasmania’s award-winning cool climate wines, craft beers and boutique ciders).

Or else, you can always opt to have a platter delivered to your room.

Outside the national park, there is some good eating to be had, with a number of wineries close by. I would recommend stopping at Devils Corner for a great wood-fired pizza and a glass of wine. Or for a good coffee, check out Geographe in Coles Bay.

Another great spot nearby is Melshell Oysters - nothing more than a tiny blue caravan/oyster shack, set-up at Dolphin Sands with a few deck chairs and tables. It's the perfect place to enjoy the freshest of oysters with a bottle of wine you have just picked up from Devils Corner. Find a patch of grass alongside the Swan River and enjoy a slow afternoon.

Georgia Hopkins is a travel writer and contributor to Evening Standard Lifestyle. Follow Georgia Hopkins on Instagram @_itsbeautifulhere.

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