Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park

posted in: Tasmania

Camping at Freycinet National Park is so popular that at certain times of the year there is a ballot system to secure a campsite.  There was a couple camped next to us our first night at Friendly Beaches that had tried to camp in the park but it was full.  They stayed one night next to us and the next night they were able to get into the other campground.  We ran into them on one of the walks we did.  We were happy with our site at the Friendly Beaches so we didn’t try moving. The most popular walk in Freycinet is the walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout.  It’s supposed to be 1 to 1.5 hour return.  I think it took us three!  The trail was quite steep in places with lots of steps to climb.  It was a very popular walk with lots of touristy looking people like ourselves.  When we started out it was a bit cool but the sun came out as we walked. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park As we made our way up the trail we got a good view of Coles Bay where we’d been that morning.  The official lookout was further up. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park My cute hiker with her walking stick.  We really can’t go on a hike without them all looking for walking sticks.  Sometimes the sticks then become weapons and we have to ban them. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park Lots of lovely scenery on the way up. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park TurboBug was the first to spy this photo opportunity.  Up he hopped and smiled for the camera.  The rest followed suit.  Everyone just had to have their own picture. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park We reached the official lookout for Coles Bay.  To the right is where we’d taken pictures earlier that day.   How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National ParkHow Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park We stopped for a rest and to take in the view.  And a snack of course.  Some of us didn’t think we’d brought enough to eat so there was much complaining for the rest of the walk.  🙂 How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park Then we were off again.  This picture doesn’t do justice to this rock, it was curled over almost like an ocean wave. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park Many steps and places to rest. Much complaining about the steepness of the hike and the number of steps.  To which we have no sympathy.  We’re evil parents, I know. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park I wish I could remember the name of this chair.  I think the sign said it had been created by architecture students.  It was really cool, everyone climbed on together.  Then we had one of those weird moments where a foreign tourist wanted to take a picture of them, which is why they are all looking elsewhere.  We’ve had that happen a couple of times and it always feels a bit strange. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park More steps. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park We finally reached the top. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park There’s that view, that lovely view of Wineglass Bay.  I remember reading that they don’t know how it got its name.  Either the shape of the bay or something else, the clarity of the water maybe? How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park I tried my best to get some good pictures.  Really.  I waited patiently while two different couples with selfie sticks took endless shots of themselves and each other.  Then came the group shot.  The whole selfie stick thing is an interesting phenomenon to observe.  Watching everyone ready themselves for the photo.  But it’s all quite annoying for everyone else around. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park After spending some time at the lookout we were ready to make our way back down.  How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park We were surprised how much walking this one did that day.  He walked most of the way up and most of the way down.  It was the steps.  He loved the steps.  How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park SkeeterBug had the toughest job of the day, holding this rock up while we all scrambled past. How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park We made it!  It was funny to hear the kids exclaim that we made it to the end.  Were they worried we wouldn’t?  We had to split up in the end, some of us making a mad dash down the trail for the toilets.  That’s the way it goes when you are hiking with kids! How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park I found this on my camera when I took the pictures off.  At least he didn’t use a selfie stick.  🙂 How Many More Minutes? ~ Wineglass Bay at Freycinet National Park

We did another, shorter walk to a lighthouse.  I’ll save that for another post.

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