Experiences

The Freycinet Coast offers a range of experiences to suit all tastes - from the ruined penal colony and fossil cliffs on Maria Island, sea kayaking in Great Oyster Bay, climbing to the lookout for that perfect view of Wineglass Bay, to swimming in crystal clear water then enjoying a beach picnic without the crowds.

Other natural highlights include the incredible white beaches at Mayfield, Kelvedon and on the Freycinet Peninsula, the often wild ocean surf at Friendly Beaches, the blow hole at Bicheno and spectacular waterfalls hidden in the east coast forests. If this all sounds a bit too active there are easy ways to see the peninsula – quad biking up the fire trails with a qualified guide, catching the aqua taxi to Hazards beach, soaring above it all in a small plane or taking the cruise round into Wineglass Bay.

Then of course there are our marine mammals. A morning or afternoon cruise may reveal porpoises, seals or whales. You’re also likely to see albatrosses, sea eagles, shearwaters, gannets, cormorants, pelicans, gulls and terns. Moulting Lagoon is a Ramsar site and a breeding area for thousands of black swans and native ducks. At night go to Swansea to see the shearwaters come home to their burrows or take an informative penguin tour at Bicheno.

Several dive centres (Bicheno and Triabunna) will help you to explore the under sea wonders while for the less adventurous there’s a glass bottomed boat, and two aquariums. Walkers will often encounter wallabies and echidnas whilst possums are commonly seen at night. For a guaranteed sighting of Tassie devils and other nocturnal animals there’s a wildlife park near Bicheno. 

The Freycinet Coast is a bushwalker's delight, with tracks ranging from easy to demanding and from short to long, but always through interesting countryside. You’ll find heathlands dotted with wildflowers, towering forests, dry sclerophyll woodlands, craggy cliff tops, challenging granite peaks and firm sandy beaches.

Maybe golf (Orford, Swansea, Bicheno, Coles Bay) or bowls (Bicheno, Swansea, Orford) are more your scene; they’re available too. Then there’s fishing… The locals say that if you can’t catch a flathead in Great Oyster Bay it’s because you haven’t got your line in the water. Bring your own gear or hire it on arrival. Fishing’s such a way of life here that even the supermarkets and service stations sell bait. Hire a tinny or a squid jig, or for the real enthusiast, charter a boat to take you out after deep sea species. Absolute novices can even take fishing lessons.

History buffs will be fascinated by evidence of the area’s convict past. With a self guided history walk booklet in hand, follow in the footsteps of some of our early settlers at Orford or Swansea. Still in Swansea, marvel at the Heath Robinson ingenuity of the old bark mill and spend time in the 'From France to Freycinet Room' learning about the Baudin Expedition – origin of most of our coast’s French names. Stop off at beautiful St John’s church in Buckland, with its window thought to be from Battle Abbey.

No holiday is complete without food. We can offer everything from a very good sandwich, through fish and chips, some great wood fired pizzas, interesting coffee shops, bakeries and family style restaurants to fine dining. Self caterers are also well looked after with a couple of excellent butchers and some outlets for fresh fish, crayfish, scallops, mussels and oysters. Wineries, many offering cellar door sales, are strategically placed all along the Freycinet Coast.

Stay a while. Relax after your day’s activities, savouring a local wine with a dozen fresh oysters while watching the sun set from the deck of your comfortable holiday accommodation. Freycinet Coast – explore, indulge, enjoy.