Van adventurer's guide to stunning Freycinet Peninsula

Our great southern state of Tasmania is a veritable mecca for van adventurers, drawing local and international visitors alike to the utterly unique scenery of the remote island. There’s no shortage of incredible destinations to swing through on a road trip, but Freycinet Peninsula on the East Coast stands out as one of the best.

With the towering might of the Hazards at your back, and the picture-perfect waters of Wineglass Bay before you, there’s few places in**Tasmania** you’ll experience serenity quite like here.

Why visit Freycinet in a van?

Have you heard of Wineglass Bay? You’ve probably heard of Wineglass Bay. If you haven’t heard of Wineglass Bay, we’ll stop saying it so you can get yourself down there ASAP. The star attraction of the Freycinet Peninsula is a wild yet pristine cove surrounded by the granite ranges of the Hazards, and the beach here is regularly voted amongst the top in the world. Yes, not just Australia, the entire world. Who would’ve thought Tassie would hold that title?

Beyond the famous bay (Wineglass Bay, by the way), Freycinet is home to one of the state’s oldest national parks, the glowing pink mountains of the Hazards, an abundance of fresh-as-anything seafood, and more adventures than you can shake a wine glass at.

Exploring the great outdoors

This stunning part of the world offers a huge range of outdoor activities, from high-octane adventures to chilled-out bushwalks and everything in between. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to take it all in with a relaxing stroll down Wineglass Beach.

If you’re looking to get up close and personal with the rugged, ancient land, Rock Climbing Tasmania offers guided tours along the Sea Cliffs. Suitable for any ability level, this full day activity will guide you through the ins and outs of abseiling and rock climbing with a gorgeous view to boot.

If you’re more about the land-based adventures, ALL4 has you covered with guided tours through Freycinet National Park from the front seat of an ATV. Zoom through lush grassland, boulder-strewn clifftops and gaze upon the magnificent coastline on this 2-hour adventure.

If you’re strapped for time and want to get a bit of everything on the cheap, don’t miss out on the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach loop trail. This 12km hike is challenging in sections but encompasses the very best of Freycinet, with every corner turned a new jaw-dropping view waiting to be discovered.

Best places to grab a bite

Since the Freycinet region is mostly wild, untouched land, our food options are limited to the seaside town of Coles Bay. With fresh seafood the winner on the peninsula, you can’t go wrong with these favourites.

The Bay Restaurant, located just a short drive south from Coles Bay, is the premier venue for fine-dining seafood in Freycinet. With a staggering range of delicious options, you can enjoy the best of what Tassie has to offer with the added bonus of a seaview. Also worth checking out is Freycinet Marine Farm, a gorgeous little spot where you can sample freshly harvested oysters and mussels in an outdoor setting, washed down with a glass of Tasmanian wine. Life doesn’t get any better than this.

Best places to grab a drink

Once again, our options for a well-deserved drink are limited (but that just means it’s time to kick back at the campsite with a cold one, right?). Next door to the Bay Restaurant you’ll find Hazard’s Bar & Lounge , with delicious cocktails served up by a roaring fireplace and world-beating views. Heading back into Coles Bay, stop by Geographe Restaurant & Espresso Bar, where you can order yourself the best coffee in town, or sit back with a cocktail and admire the granite ranges sparkling in the sunset.

Essential camping facilities in Freycinet

Coles Bay has two supermarkets that are both on the smaller side, so if you’re planning a long stay on the peninsula we advise loading up in nearby Swansea or wherever you’re picking up your van from. One of the supermarkets, The Iluka General Store , is the only petrol station in the area, so make sure you fill up here before continuing on.

There are multiple public toilets along the west coast of the peninsula that are open 24 hours, located at the National Park, Honeymoon Bay , and in Coles Bay. Few public waste disposal facilities exist in the area, so hang on to your rubbish and correctly dispose of it at your campground.

Road trips from Freycinet

While it’s likely you will have done some pretty incredible road tripping to make it to the Freycinet Peninsula, there are plenty of options to continue on your journey if you’ve got the time:

• Hobart (2hrs 40mins) - you’ve had your fill of the wilderness, now it’s time to head to the capital city of Hobart. Explore the beauty of the River Derwent, take a stroll through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, and experience the wonderful weirdness of MONA.

• Cradle Mountain (4hrs) - head into the interior of Tasmania to discover the otherworldly beauty of Cradle Mountain, where you can continue your outdoor adventure with hikes, mountain biking and kayaking to name a few.

• Bay of Fires (2hrs) - for more coastal scenery, head north to the alluring Bay of Fires, where white-sand beaches meet verdant bushland to create another spectacular playground for you to explore.

Best places to stay the night

• BIG4 Iluka: With the National Park itself geared more towards camping in a tent, the BIG4 holiday park in Coles Bay is the perfect gateway to the peninsula. Located right on Muirs Beach, you’ll have access to all the amenities you need before heading into the wild.

• Swan River Camping: Find this free campsite north of Coles Bay, offering a more ‘back to basics’ approach. The campsite operates on a first come, first served basis, and only has one toilet to serve campers.

Keep discovering

• Top 5 day hikes in Tasmania

• 10-day itinerary for Tasmania

• 5 best camping spots in Tasmania

***Looking to explore Tasmania from the comfort and freedom of a campervan, caravan or motorhome? Camplify is Australia’s largest and most-trusted van sharing community, with thousands of unique vans right across the country. ***