Bay of Fires, Freycinet, Wineglass Bay and the Three Capes – 7 Days

This holiday commences in Launceston at 8.00 am. Travel to Tasmania’s sunny east coast.

Today’s walk features more stunning beaches of the Bay of Fires. Like much of Tasmania’s east coast, this area is dominated by pink granite, with a very high quartz content that breaks down into pure white sand. Many of the pink granite rocks also have an orange lichen cover. The white sands combined with magnificent outcrops of pink granite, orange lichen and an azure blue sky make this walk a photographer’s delight. It’s also a great walk for observing sea birds such as gulls, terns, gannets, albatrosses, oystercatchers and majestic sea eagles. During the afternoon, there’s an optional hike along coastal clifftop tracks or free time to swim or relax at beautiful Binalong Bay.

Walking: Moderate / 15 km / 5-6 hrs / easier option available

Meals: Lunch and two-course a la carte chef-prepared dinner at the resort restaurant

Accommodation: Panorama Resort St Helens in ensuite rooms

Today we head south to one of Tasmania’s jewels – the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. Jutting out into the sea, the imposing granite peaks of the Hazards and the many white sandy beaches that dot the peninsula welcome you as you enter the park. Our circuit walk takes you to a lookout with spectacular views over picturesque Wineglass Bay. After a stroll along this delightful beach, we continue across the isthmus to the more remote Hazards Beach. Next, we’ll explore a boardwalk with stunning views at Cape Tourville Lighthouse.

Walking: Moderate / 12 km / 5-6 hrs / easier option available

Meals: Cooked breakfast in the resort restaurant, walkers lunch and two-course a la carte dinner in the hotel restaurant

Accommodation: The Beachfront Motel Bicheno in ensuite rooms

At an altitude of 570 meters, Mount Graham stands as the second-highest peak on the Freycinet Peninsula, offering expansive vistas across the national park. Although it’s a distance from our accommodation, an early start can enable a day trip to conquer the summit.

Starting from Wineglass Bay Car Park, head towards the Wineglass Bay Lookout where Mount Graham becomes conspicuous, one of two dominant peaks in the southern part of the peninsula (the other being Mount Freycinet). While the distance is evident, enjoy the lookout before the track descends to Wineglass Bay where the sandy beach offers a welcome break from the rugged terrain.

The summit of Mount Graham crowns the ridge, requiring an uphill stretch before rewarding you with breathtaking views

In the distance, the distinct shape of Maria Island can be spotted. Capture the scene with photographs, revel in the accomplishment, and then retrace your steps back with a possible quick dip in the famous Wineglass Bay.

Walking: Moderate / 20 km / 8 hrs / easier option available

Meals: Chef-prepared cooked breakfast/walkers lunch and two-course a la carte dinner in the hotel restaurant

Accommodation: The Beachfront Motel Bicheno in ensuite rooms

Today we travel south to the Tasman National Park – an area that preserves diverse forest and spectacular coastline on this picturesque peninsula.

After lunch, we will explore Eaglehawk Neck, commencing at the Tessellated Pavement if the tide is low, looking at the unusual set of geological circumstances that have resulted in this rare landform with a tiled appearance. We will then explore a section of the Tasman Coastal Trail, which will offer cliff tops views to a high vantage point overlooking the rugged sea cliffs.

Walking: Easy / 5 km / 2 hrs

Meals: Chef-prepared cooked breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner in the hotel restaurant

Accommodation: Stewarts Bay Lodge in ensuite rooms

Today we do a full day hike at Cape Raoul, one of the 3 capes which incidentally is not linked to the official 3 Capes walk as yet. We hike through tall stringybark forest, old sheoak woodland and coastal banksia scrub. As we walk, we sight the world-renowned big wave surfing spot Shipstern Bluff. At the cape, we settle down for lunch and soak up the awesome view, jagged dolerite columns that rise up from the waves and blue sea and sky on an epic scale. Gannets, terns, sea eagles and the endangered wedge-tailed eagle can often be seen.

Walking: Moderate / 14 km / 6-7 hrs / easier option available

Meals: Chef-prepared cooked breakfast/lunch and two-course dinner in the hotel restaurant

Accommodation: Stewarts Bay Lodge in ensuited rooms

Another solid day’s hike in the Tasman National Park. The challenging option is out to Cape Hauy and includes some of the most stunning coastal scenery anywhere in Australia. The dramatic sea cliffs and fluted rock pillars that line the cape are a major highlight. These columnar dolerite cliffs are outstanding examples of a rock type that is very rare on the mainland. The easier option is to walk to Bivouac Bay with another optional side trip to Thumbs Point for fabulous coastal views.

Meals: Chef-prepared cooked breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner in the hotel restaurant

Accommodation: Stewarts Bay Lodge in ensuite rooms

We finish off the trip with this lovely scenic walk, which includes Remarkable Caves, Maingon Blowhole and the beautiful Crescent Bay Beach. This is easy walking through coastal heath on a wide smooth track, offering up fantastic views of Cape Raoul and Cape Pillar and Tasman Island along the way. If you are up for one last challenge, the Mount Brown Summit awaits.

We’ll travel back to Hobart via the picturesque village of Richmond, famous for its historic convict-built bridge. We’ll arrive in Hobart just after 5:00pm.

Walking: Easy – moderate / 9.5 km / 5 hrs / easier option available

Meals: Chef-prepared cooked breakfast and walkers lunch