After one trip to the Tasmanian wilderness, you’ll understand why so much of this emerald isle is World Heritage-listed. Tasmania is studded with national parks, and one of the most beautiful is Freycinet National Park.

Freycinet National Park, graced with pink granite mountains, is a long peninsula jutting out into the Tasman Sea on Tasmania’s east coast. It is approximately a three-hour drive north of Hobart, and about the same from Devonport on the state’s northern coast. The park is famous for Wineglass Bay. You can go sea kayaking, swimming or scuba diving on its sparkling turquoise waters or, if you’d prefer not to get wet, walk to the nearby Wineglass Bay lookout.

Freycinet National park attracts the spectrum of wilderness enthusiasts including the brave hikers who set out with packs and tents to complete the 27-kilometre circuit of the park traversing the Hazard Ranges, where you can also abseil. If you prefer to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of an eco-lodge, the coastal heath lands also have wonderful day walks. The ranges are also ideal for bird watching – you can see a large variety of species including black cockatoos, green rosellas, yellow wattle-birds, butcherbirds and white-breasted sea-eagles. Other wildlife includes wallabies, possums, echidnas and potoroos.

The park is also a fishing haven, and you can charter a fishing boat from the nearby Coles Bay township. If you’re an angler or a four-wheel driving enthusiast, head north for about ten kilometres from the highway to the delightfully named Friendly Beaches. If you prefer to have a tour guide, Freycinet Experience runs four-day walks in the national park starting with a boat ride to Schouten Island. Located to the south of the island is Maria Island.

Maria Island is often described as paradise. The island has a Mediterranean-style climate and contrasting landscape that includes rugged coastline, untouched beaches and pristine forests. As it’s located to the south of Freycinet, you reach the island by ferry from the township of Triabunna, which is just 84 km north of Hobart. It’s a different world at Maria Island – silence reigns supreme because there are no shops and no motor vehicles.

On the island you can go camping in French’s Farm and Encampment Cove in the township of Darlington. For a guided journey through the island’s stunning coastal and mountain landscapes, join The Maria Island Walk. It’s a 30 km four-day guided journey and the guides carry your camping gear and food, so all you need is a decent pair of boots and a keen sense of adventure.

Further north from Freycinet lies the Mount William National Park – it’s one of Australia’s most dramatic stretches of coast and a two-hour drive from Launceston. Originally set aside to protect the formerly rare forester kangaroo, this park covers the northeast tip of Tasmania. For sweeping views of the park, walk to the top of Mount William – it’s an easy walk and should only take around 30 minutes. You can also swim, fish and dive here. To get the most out of this scenic landscape, spend a few nights camping among the sand dunes near Picnic Rocks or the grassy area beside Deep Creek. In the north, you can also camp around Stumpy’s Bay and north of Cape Naturaliste.

You can walk the network of fire trails for easy bushwalking, or take the famous guided Bay of Fires Trek. Although your fitness levels don't need to be perfect, you will need to be able to cover nine kilometres on day one and fourteen the next. The first night of the trek is spent at a beach camp, and on the second evening you'll end up at the Bay of Fires Lodge, in the heart of Mount William National Park. This is home for the rest of the trip, which means two more nights of absolute comfort and excellent cuisine, so kick back and enjoy the views, the remoteness and the blissful calm.

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• Nearest City:Perth
• Distance to Perth:277km
• Nearest Airport:Perth
• Distance to Perth Airport:277km

Local Attractions in the Area

• Margaret River Food and Wine Itinerary
• Surfing Margaret River
• South West Beaches
• Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
• Meelup Beach
• Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

Helpful Links for the Area

• Australia's South West
• Margaret River
• Margaret River Wine Region
• Food and Entertainment Margaret River
• Wineries & Breweries

Seasonal Events

• Margaret River Wine Region Festival
• Margaret River Pro
• Whale Migration
• 21st Annual Australian Longboard Championships
• Margaret River Agricultural Show