Coles Bay - Fabulous Freycinet

Tasmania's east coast, with its white beaches and turquoise seas, is a delight known best by locals but remembered by all who visit.

In this region, Freycinet Peninsula enjoys a climate similar to that in the south of France, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Freycinet National Park, with its three pink granite peaks (known as the Hazards) and its prolific wildlife, offers outdoor activities including bushwalking, fishing, dolphin watching (and whale watching in season), scuba diving, golf, tours of local wineries and marine farms – even Tasmanian devil spotting. The Tasmanian devil, found only in Tasmania, is a loud, sturdy and ferocious little carnivorous marsupial with short legs, strong jaws and a tremendously loud voice.

Freycinet Lodge in the national park is constructed in low-rise style, connected by boardwalks in the bush, designed to remain unobtrusive in a magnificent landscape. It offers fully equipped cabins in standard, spa and family categories – all just minutes away from safe, sandy beaches. The main lodge complex overlooks Great Oyster Bay and the restaurant there specialises in the best Tasmanian farm produce and wines.

Speaking of wines, Freycinet Vineyard and Springvale Vineyard offer tours. Another possibility is the Freycinet Tin Mine Tour, where you spend the morning exploring old mine sites and learning local history. The tour involves a four-wheel drive trip on rough but scenic roads. You can take a scenic flight around the area or hire a coastal kayak.