~ services ~
Freycinet National Park
~ introduction ~ how to get there ~ what it costs ~ facilities ~
Introduction – some things to keep in mind
» Water is scarce: Freycinet has low rainfall, limited catchment and storage, and visitor demand is very high. So please use supplied water wisely. Water is on tap at several points in the visitor services area. We suggest boiling tap water for drinking. It is also suitable for cooking and personal washing requirements. Please do not wash cars or boats here. Remember to carry adequate water on walks.
» Safety first: Always check with the Bureau of Meteorology before going boating or bushwalking: phone 1196 or click weathr bureau. If boating, have the necessary safety equipment, stay sober, and take no risks.
» Freycinet is a National Park. Pets and firearms are forbidden. Do not remove any natural material. Please put rubbish in bins or take it home for disposal. Please do not feed the animals: foreign foods can cause ill health, and feeding induces aberrant behaviour towards people. As a result of feeding in the past, some animals have become aggressive: so please keep all your food, utensils and scraps secure from being ransacked.
» Seasonality: Unfortunately the park has become so popular there is increasing congestion on roads and tracks, along with demand for facilities. It is highly recommended to visit outside the crowded peak summer holiday season to avoid the hassles and to better enjoy the natural delights of the area.
How to get to Freycinet
The park is about 2½ – 3 hours drive from either Hobart or Launceston via the Tasman Highway (A3) (which runs down the east coast of Tasmania). Turn on to the sealed Coles Bay Rd (C302) 12 km south of Bicheno. The turnoff to the Friendly Beaches section of the park is via a gravel road about 2 km (turn left) after leaving the A3. The main park entrance and visitor reception are about 28km further on, just after Coles Bay township. Please take special care when driving between dusk and dawn as this is when wildlife is most active on the roads.
There is an airstrip adjacent to the Friendly Beaches road, suitable for light aircraft. Flights may be arranged with Tasair, ph: (03) 6248 5088, Par Avion, ph: (03) 6248 5390, or Freycinet Air, ph (03) 6375 1694. Scenic flights are available.
Schouten Island’s only access is by boat or kayak.
What it costs to visit Freycinet National Park
You will need to purchase a National Parks Pass to visit Freycinet (and any Tasmanian National Park) – fees range from $11 to $115 depending on the number in your group, duration of visit/s and which other Tasmanian parks you plan to visit. Campground fees are additional.
Facilities provided
Day use: Electric bbq’s, picnic tables, water and toilets are at Honeymoon Bay and Ranger Creek.
Accommodation may be sought in and around Coles Bay, ranging from backpacker to deluxe. Search locally, visit Discover Tasmania, or contact the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre, Triabunna (03) 6257 4772, Launceston (03) 6336 3133 or Hobart (03) 6230 8233 .
Campgrounds are provided in the Park at Coles Bay for tent, caravan, unpowered and powered basis. Fees apply as below. Bookings are essential for summer and Easter. There is a ballot system for the Christmas period. There are no hot showers. Water is supplied along the sand dune access road, at Honeymoon Bay picnic area, between Honeymoon Bay sites 71 and 72, on power poles in the caravan area, and at each toilet block. Fires are forbidden apart from provided fireplaces. The rest of the park is Fuel Stove Only for conservation and safety. All flames are prohibited on days of Total Fire Ban. Rubbish and recycling bins are provided. Please do not litter or leave such material in reach of wildlife.
| Campground fees: | Adult | Child (6-17 yrs) |
Family | Pensioner | School groups | Coach and Club Groups |
| Powered site | $6.60 | $3.30 | $16.50 | $5.50 | – | – |
| Unpowered site | $5.50 | $2.75 | $13.75 | $4.40 | $2.20 | $4.40 |
Camping is also available at Friendly Beaches. There are toilets near these sites, but no water.
Remote campsites for overnight walks are at Wineglass Bay, Hazards, Cooks and Bryans Beaches. Water is usually available in tanks at Cooks Beach, and in Jimmy’s Creek between Mt Graham and Cooks Beach. Less reliable water is at Laguna Creek at Hazards Beach and where the track crosses the top of Grahams Creek. There is no reliable water at Wineglass Bay or Bryans Beach. Camping is possible at Schouten Island, there is a tank and some unreliable creeks. There is no reliable water at Friendly Beaches. We advise checking with the ranger on water availability before leaving for overnight trips.
Activities: during peak visitor periods rangers conduct various free activities for all ages, including guided nature walks and slide shows. There is an outdoor theatre just past the Visitors Reception Centre. Parking at Ranger Creek, 200 metres away. The theatre is used for film and slide shows, for campfire entertainment and as an activity meeting place. The theatre is available throughout the year for schools and other groups. Contact the Visitor Reception Centre for details
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