Experience the best of Wineglass Bay

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring allure of the Freycinet Peninsula as you cruise through its crystalline waters. Depart from Coles Bay and head towards the unrivaled splendor of Wineglass Bay.

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Slide 1 of 5, Tourists on a Wineglass Bay cruise boat viewing the coastline of Tasmania.

Cruise boat in Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, surrounded by turquoise water and lush hills.

Dolphin leaping from the water during Wineglass Bay Cruises.

Whale breaching near rocky cliffs on Wineglass Bay cruise.

Cruise boat in turquoise waters of Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, with forested hills and rocky shoreline.

Wineglass Bay Cruises

4 hrs 30 mins

1 more

Explore the waters of the iconic Wineglass Bay aboard a modern cruise ship.
Cruise along the beautiful coastline of Freycinet National Park from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay.
Enjoy views of blue waters, white shores, and pink peaks of the Hazards range.
Dig into a delicious spread of food and beverages during the cruise.
Choose between the Vista Lounge and the Sky Lounge while booking.

More details

Explore the waters of the iconic Wineglass Bay aboard a modern cruise ship.
Cruise along the beautiful coastline of Freycinet National Park from Coles Bay to Wineglass Bay.
Enjoy views of blue waters, white shores, and pink peaks of the Hazards range.
Dig into a delicious spread of food and beverages during the cruise.
Choose between the Vista Lounge and the Sky Lounge while booking.

from

AU$190

Slide 1 of 7, Person feeding a wallaby at Freycinet National Park, Tasmania.

Group hiking on a trail with views of Wineglass Bay, Tasmania.

Tour group celebrating at Wineglass Bay lookout with ocean and mountains in background.

Visitors enjoying the view of Wineglass Bay with mountains in the background, Tasmania.

Group enjoying the view at Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, with mountains in the background.

Coastal path leading to a lighthouse near Wineglass Bay, Tasmania.

Group at Wineglass Bay lookout with ocean and mountains, Launceston to Hobart tour.

Day Tour from Hobart to Launceston via Wineglass Bay

10 hrs 30 mins

1 more

Go on a small-group tour from Hobart to Launceston complete with a knowledgeable guide and hassle-free transfers.
This experience includes treks in Freycinet National Park – Tasmania’s oldest national park – and soak up the stunning beauty of Wineglass Bay.
Visit Honeymoon Bay – a secluded beach cove – Sleepy Bay with its abundant marine life, and the historic Cape Tourville Lighthouse.
The last stop of your tour is Devil's Corner winery where you’ll learn about local wine, and can indulge in seafood platters and artisan gelato.
Fun fact: Freycinet National Park is named after the French navigator Louis de Freycinet who explored and mapped the Australian coastline.

More details

Go on a small-group tour from Hobart to Launceston complete with a knowledgeable guide and hassle-free transfers.
This experience includes treks in Freycinet National Park – Tasmania’s oldest national park – and soak up the stunning beauty of Wineglass Bay.
Visit Honeymoon Bay – a secluded beach cove – Sleepy Bay with its abundant marine life, and the historic Cape Tourville Lighthouse.
The last stop of your tour is Devil's Corner winery where you’ll learn about local wine, and can indulge in seafood platters and artisan gelato.
Fun fact: Freycinet National Park is named after the French navigator Louis de Freycinet who explored and mapped the Australian coastline.

from

AU$215

Pro tips to help you make a pick

If you’re self-driving, you do not need a separate Wineglass Bay ticket. You need a Tasmanian Parks Pass for vehicle entry to Freycinet National Park, and passes can be bought online, at the visitor centre, or at self-registration stations.

Use the product format that matches your available time: lookout walk about 1.5–2.5 hours return, lookout plus beach about 3–4 hours, Hazards Beach circuit about 4–5+ hours, Hobart tours about 11–13 hours total, Launceston tours about 10–12 hours total, cruises about 4–4.5 hours, and local scenic flights about 30–60 minutes.

When comparing Hobart or Launceston day tours, check whether the Tasmanian Parks Pass is included. Research shows inclusions vary by operator, and that difference affects the real total cost of a guided day trip.

If reaching Wineglass Bay Beach matters to you, ask the tour operator how much free trail time is actually included. Many standard day tours are structured around the lookout walk, and reviews often mention that beach access is not realistic within the schedule.

Self-guided hikes are not documented as including an audio guide. On-track interpretation is mainly through signage, while guided day tours, cruises, and scenic flights use live commentary instead.

For cruises, compare seating classes carefully. Research notes options such as Vista and Sky Lounge, and some sailings add lunch and drinks, while the coastline and bay-viewing route remain broadly similar.

Book weather-dependent products with flexibility in mind. Cruises can be rough in choppy conditions and scenic flights may be grounded by weather, so it helps to keep a backup plan such as Cape Tourville or a shorter land-based visit.

If you’re driving independently in summer or holiday periods, plan the earliest practical arrival. Research and traveler reports note that parking at the main car park can be limited at peak times, which can delay the start of your walk.

Travelers with limited mobility should avoid booking hike-led products by default. Research states the Wineglass Bay Lookout track is not wheelchair-accessible because of steep gradients and steps, so a cruise, scenic flight, or Cape Tourville is usually a better fit.

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About Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay can be experienced in several distinct ways: a Grade 3 lookout hike, a longer descent to Wineglass Bay Beach, a full Hazards Beach circuit, cruises from Coles Bay, or scenic flights above the Freycinet Peninsula. That range makes it workable for different fitness levels, while still centering on the same curved bay, white quartz sand, and granite mountain backdrop.

Did you know?

Wineglass Bay sits in Freycinet National Park, established in 1916, which Parks Tasmania identifies as one of Tasmania’s first national parks alongside Mount Field National Park.

The origin of the name “Wineglass Bay” is not definitively established. Research sources cite both the bay’s curved shape and a debated whaling-era explanation about water stained red like wine.

Wineglass Bay does not have a separate timed-entry ticket or trailhead turnstile. Vehicle entry is covered by a Tasmanian Parks Pass, and rangers may check compliance in the park.

The lookout area uses safety barriers and defined viewing platforms to manage foot traffic and protect fragile vegetation, so the famous viewpoint is also part of the park’s impact-control system.

Wineglass Bay cruises often differ more by seating class and inclusions than by route. Research specifically notes classes such as Vista and Sky Lounge, with some options adding lunch and drinks.

Why visit Wineglass Bay?

Grade 3 Lookout with Classic Bay View

The Wineglass Bay Lookout Track starts at the Freycinet National Park car park and climbs through bush, granite, and coastal forest to a defined viewing platform with safety barriers. From the top, you get the best-known land view of the bay’s curved white sand, turquoise water, and the pink granite Hazards behind it.

Long Staircase Down to Wineglass Bay Beach

If you continue past the lookout area, a long staircase leads down to Wineglass Bay Beach. The beach offers white sand, clear water, and a more remote feel than the viewpoint, but there are no facilities there, so you need to bring water and carry out all rubbish.

Hazards Beach Circuit Adds a Full Loop

The Hazards Beach circuit turns the standard outing into a longer walk linking Wineglass Bay with Hazards Beach across the isthmus. Parks Tasmania suggests allowing about 4–5+ hours, and the route gives you a broader sense of the peninsula’s coastline, dunes, and changing beach conditions.

Cruises Show Sea Cliffs and Wildlife

Wineglass Bay cruises depart from Coles Bay and usually spend about 4–4.5 hours on the water. They show the bay from offshore, add commentary on geology and marine life, and may include sightings of seals, dolphins, seabirds, and occasionally whales, with some sailings also offering lunch and upgraded seating classes.

Scenic Flights Reveal the Bay’s Geometry

Scenic flights provide the overhead perspective that hiking cannot, showing the full curve of Wineglass Bay, the narrow isthmus, and neighboring Hazards Beach in one view. Local flights are commonly about 30–60 minutes, include pilot commentary, and are especially useful for photography-focused or mobility-limited visitors when weather allows.

Plan your visit

Freycinet National Park vehicle entrance & main car park

Located at the end of Coles Bay Road inside Freycinet National Park, this signed Wineglass Bay/Hazards Beach car park is the main arrival point for standard visitors. All self-drivers and most tour drop-offs use this area before starting the walk. A valid Tasmanian Parks Pass is required for vehicles and can be bought online, at the visitor centre, or at self-registration stations. Toilets are available here, and the trailhead is about 1 to 3 minutes away. The car park sits on relatively level ground, but parking can be limited at peak times, especially in summer and holiday periods.

Trailhead at car park information shelter

This is the pedestrian start of the clearly signed Wineglass Bay Lookout and Beach track, just beyond the main car park toilets and information boards. All walkers use this trailhead, and it is the approved access point for the lookout, beach, and longer circuits. Interpretive signage is available at the start, and the track has some resting points along the way. It can be busy in the mid-morning, with additional congestion on narrower or steeper stair sections higher up. The track is not suitable for wheelchairs because of steep gradients, uneven surfaces, and steps.