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Wineglass Bay Lookout Walk: The Complete Guide
Wineglass Bay is the view most people picture when they think of Tasmania: a perfect curve of white sand and clear blue water, framed by the pink granite peaks of The Hazards. The best-known place to see it is the Wineglass Bay Lookout, a short, steep walk in Freycinet National Park on the east coast.
This guide is all about that walk: how long it takes, how hard it is, when to go, where to park, and where to stay nearby in a campervan. For everything else on the peninsula (kayaking, cruises, wineries and more walks), see our guide to things to do in Freycinet.
Fast facts
Distance | 2.6 km return |
Time | About 45 minutes up to the lookout; allow 1–1.5 hours return |
Grade | Grade 3 (moderate): short steep sections, rough surface and many steps |
Start | Wineglass Bay walking tracks car park, Freycinet National Park, about 10 minutes' drive from Coles Bay |
Campervan parking | Dedicated section for campers and larger vehicles, a little behind the main car park |
Park Pass | Required: 24-hour vehicle pass about $50 or Holiday Pass about $100 (up to two months) |
Drive from Hobart | About 2 hr 30 min (roughly 185 km to Coles Bay) |
Drive from Launceston | About 2 hr 10 min (roughly 167 km to Coles Bay) |
EV charging | Top up on the way: Swansea (75 kW) from Hobart, Campbell Town (200 kW) from Launceston, St Helens (50 kW) from the north-east |
Best season | Year-round. Spring and autumn are quieter; summer is busiest |
Dogs | Not allowed (national park) |
Getting to the Wineglass Bay Lookout
Freycinet is on Tasmania's east coast. From the Tasman Highway (A3), turn onto Coles Bay Road (C302) and follow it through Coles Bay township into the national park. The walking tracks car park is at the end of the road, about 10 minutes past town. The road is sealed all the way and easy in a campervan.
From Hobart: about 2.5 hours via Sorell, Orford and Swansea. It's one of the prettiest coastal stretches in the state, so allow extra time for stops.
From Launceston: about 2 hours 10 minutes.
From Bicheno: Bicheno is the closest bigger town to the north. See our things to do in Bicheno guide if you're basing yourself there.
Fuel and supplies
You can fill up at the Tas Petroleum fuel station in Coles Bay, near the general store, which is also the place to grab last-minute supplies before heading into the park.
Parks Pass
You need a Tasmanian National Parks Pass to enter Freycinet. A 24-hour pass covers one vehicle (up to 8 people) for about $50. If you're visiting other parks on your trip (and in a campervan you almost certainly will), the Holiday Pass at about $100 covers all parks for up to two months and pays for itself quickly. Buy it online before you go (choose the hire and drive option so it applies to any vehicle you drive), or at the Freycinet Visitor Centre (open 9am–4pm daily) on the way in.
Parking your campervan
The walking tracks car park is the busiest in the park, but you'll usually find a spot. In a campervan, look for the dedicated section for campers and larger vehicles a little behind the main car park. It's easier to manoeuvre in and the better option when there's space. There are toilets, a picnic area and a water refill station at the car park, but no camping or overnight stays. In summer and school holidays, arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon makes parking easier and the track quieter.
The walk, step by step
Coastal woodland and granite
The track starts gently through coastal woodland, then climbs steadily into a saddle between the granite peaks of The Hazards. Expect rough gravel, rock and plenty of stone and timber steps. It's short, but it's uphill almost the whole way, so take your time. Most people reach the lookout in about 45 minutes. There are resting seats along the way, and the views back over Coles Bay and Great Oyster Bay are worth pausing for.
The lookout
At the top, viewing platforms look straight down onto Wineglass Bay. On a still morning the water is glassy and turquoise; on a windy day the white-caps roll in off the Tasman Sea. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins, which are occasionally seen from here. The lookout sits among steep granite slabs, so stay inside the barriers, as there are hazardous cliffs.
Coming back down
Return the same way. The descent is quicker but harder on the knees, and the granite and loose gravel can be slippery, especially after rain. Walking poles help.
Want to keep going? Longer walks from the lookout
Wineglass Bay beach (about 1 hour each way; 2.5–3.5 hours return)
From the lookout, the track continues steeply down the other side of the saddle to the beach itself. It's about an hour from the car park to the sand. It's a big drop, and every step down is a step you'll climb back up, but you'll trade the crowds at the lookout for the beach. Take plenty of water.
Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit (4–5 hours, 11 km, Grade 4)
For a full day, continue from Wineglass Bay across the isthmus to Hazards Beach and back along the coast to the car park. It's one of Tasmania's great day walks. Start early and carry lunch and water, as there's no drinking water on the track.
Mount Amos (about 3 hours return, 3.6 km, Grade 4)
For the famous high view of Wineglass Bay, Mount Amos is a steep scramble up bare granite. Only attempt it in dry weather with good grip on your shoes, as wet granite is dangerous.
Can't do the climb? Try Cape Tourville
If the lookout track isn't for you, the Cape Tourville circuit is a 600 m, 20-minute Grade 1 walk on the same side of the park, with sweeping coastal views and a lighthouse. You can also see Wineglass Bay from the water on a boat cruise from Coles Bay.
Where to stay near Wineglass Bay in a campervan
Richardsons Beach (Freycinet National Park)
The closest campground to the walk, right on the water near the visitor centre. Powered sites 1–18 take campervans up to 18 feet; the sand dune sites and nearby Honeymoon Bay are tent-only. There are accessible toilets, cold showers, drinking water and bins, but no dump point (the nearest are at Swansea and Bicheno). A new booking system starts on 1 November 2026. Check Parks Tasmania for current fees and availability, and book early for summer and Easter.
Friendly Beaches (Isaacs Point)
Free camping on a gorgeous ocean beach in the northern part of the park, about 9 km down a gravel road off Coles Bay Road. There's no booking and no fee (you'll still need a Parks Pass), with a maximum 14-night stay. Facilities are basic: pit toilets and no drinking water, so fill up at the visitor centre or the Wineglass Bay car park first. Freycinet is a fuel-stove-only area, with no campfires.
BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park (Coles Bay)
The easy option with powered sites and full amenities, in Coles Bay township a short drive from the walk.
"Fairways" RV park (Swanwick)
A self-contained-only RV park beside the Freycinet Golf Club at Swanwick, about 10–15 minutes from Coles Bay. It's $20 a night all year round, paid by honesty box, with no bookings. There are toilets but no power or water hook-ups. All our campervans can be self-contained by adding the toilet option to your rental.
Tips for the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk
Go early. The first hour after sunrise is the quietest time on the track, and the light on the bay is soft and clear.
Use the campervan parking. Look for the section for campers and larger vehicles just behind the main car park.
Wear proper shoes. Thongs and smooth soles don't cut it on steep granite and loose gravel.
Bring water. Drinking water is limited in the park. Fill up at the visitor centre, Honeymoon Bay or the car park refill station.
Pack a layer. The weather on the east coast can change fast, and it's often windy at the top.
Keep drones at home. They're prohibited in the park.
Fuel up and empty tanks. There's fuel at Tas Petroleum in Coles Bay. For dump points, use Swansea or Bicheno, as there isn't one at the national park campground.
Charge before you arrive. If you're in one of our electric campervans, top up on the way. Use the Swansea fast charger (75 kW) coming from Hobart, the Campbell Town ultra-fast charger (200 kW) coming from Launceston, or the St Helens charger (50 kW) coming from the north-east.
Check alerts before you go. Parks Tasmania posts track closures and events that can affect access.
See Freycinet at your own pace
Wineglass Bay is best done without a tour bus timetable. Wake up at Richardsons Beach or Friendly Beaches, walk to the lookout before the crowds arrive, and spend the afternoon on the rest of the peninsula. Our off-grid vans are fitted out with Tasmanian timber and named in palawa kani. Take Larila (platypus) up the east coast and you've got everything you need on board. Browse our campervans. Planning the whole coast? Read our Freycinet Peninsula campervan guide.
Wineglass Bay Lookout: FAQs
How long is the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk?
It's 2.6 km return. Most people reach the lookout in about 45 minutes, and Parks Tasmania suggests allowing 1–1.5 hours return. Allow extra time to enjoy the view at the top.
How hard is the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk?
It's Grade 3: short but steep, with a rough surface and many steps. Most people with reasonable fitness can do it at a steady pace, with rests on the seats along the way. It's not suitable for people with mobility restrictions.
Do you need a pass for Wineglass Bay?
Yes. Freycinet is a national park, so you need a Parks Pass. A 24-hour vehicle pass is about $50, or a Holiday Pass covering all Tasmanian parks for up to two months is about $100.
Can you walk down to Wineglass Bay beach?
Yes. The track continues from the lookout down to the beach, about an hour each way from the car park (2.5–3.5 hours return). You can also make it a full-day 11 km loop via Hazards Beach.
What's the best time of day to do the Wineglass Bay Lookout walk?
Early morning is the quietest time, especially in summer, and parking is easier. Late afternoon is the next best option.
Can I take my dog to Wineglass Bay?
No. Dogs aren't allowed in Tasmanian national parks, including Freycinet.
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