Wineglass Bay.The Freycinet Peninsula (pronounced fray-sin-ay) is on the central eastern coast of Tasmania and the lookout over Wineglass Bay is a rather challenging 45 minute hike from the nearest car park at Coles bay.
To get down to the beach from the lookout takes another 30 minutes, one way, but to walk on a beach that has been voted by all and sundry to be one of the top 10 beaches in the world is worth the effort. Where else in Australia (or the world for that matter) can you find pink granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form the magnificent sheltered waterway that is Wineglass Bay?
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 and 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 our wildlife is most active on the roads. Wineglass Bay, along with Cradle Mountain, is recognised across the world as one of Tasmania’s iconic tourist destinations but there is more to this east coast gem than simply capturing your perfect send home and make your friends jealous picture from the lookout. The region around Wineglass Bay is so naturally stunning and blissfully pure that it’s easy to feel as if you are an early explorer setting first foot on Wineglass Bay. It is a region that retains the adventurous spirit of those early explorers, and today you can discover Wineglass Bay your own way. Set out on foot and head for Wineglass Bay Lookout and allow yourself two or more hours to wander down onto the beach below. If you're observant you'll see some of our wonderful wildlife including white-bellied sea-eagles, quolls, wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils. Perhaps you'd prefer to take to the water on a scenic cruise where you might be lucky enough to witness dolphins diving or a pod of migrating whales in the clearest, cleanest water in the world.
The choice is always yours. My wife and I went with a group of walkers and although our group wasn't made up of the most active people, we made it all the way up to the lookout. The climb was tough in parts, but if you stop for regular breaks it would be an easy to moderate hike. The path is well worn and there are sign posts to direct you to the lookout or the beach. When you go take your time and look up every so often and snatch a view of the pink and grey granite boulders protruding from the landscape, but don’t get daunted by the height of the ranges, you don’t need to get to the top to get a spectacular view. There were a range of walkers on the track, some of them looked like they were destined for the campsite in the National Park, others were families with small children and retirees on holidays. Once you leave the car park, there are no amenities or drinking fountains. So before you take off on the hike, be sure to you have everything you need. I recommend that you take some water, as you will definitely break a sweat on the walk. If you don’t have any water with you, you can get some from the visitor centre, where you pay for your National Park pass. All National Parks in Tasmania require payment of an entry fee, the money raised going directly towards the maintenance and protection of Tasmania's National Parks. You also need to sign into the book, stating your departure time and a contact number, this will ensure that if you get lost, people will know and go searching for you. Adult passes cost $11.00 per person for 24 hours or $22.00 for a vehicle (for up to eight persons) for a 24 hour pass. The pass is valid for any National Park entry for the 24 hour period. If visitors are visiting National Parks for more than two days it is advisable to purchase a Holiday Pass which gives entry to any National Park for up to eight weeks. A Backpacker Pass, for up to eight weeks is $28.00 per person or a Vehicle Holiday Pass is $56.00. Other things you should consider bringing when you walk to Wineglass Bay are: Sunscreen, Sturdy walking shoes, a jumper, a Water proof jacket and, like everywhere else in Oz, the insect repellent,
Ther is a range of good accommodation in Coles Bay and camping sites are available just inside the park boundary, however because the area is so popular over the Christmas/New Year period there is a ballot system drawn, so please check the Parks and Wildlife site and don't just turn up expecting to get somewhere to rest your bones. The Park offers a variety of basic powered and unpowered campsites, some with cold showers and outside the main summer/Easter period no bookings are taken, but visitors must check at the Visitor/Interpretation Centre. Whenever you visit Wineglass Bay I know you'll have a wonderful time, come soon, John.
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The Freycinet National Park is about 2½ - 3 hours drive from either 
You could, of course take the gourmet approach and experience a guided walk to Wineglass Bay, including a fine banquet offering premium Tasmanian cool-climate wines and the freshest crayfish, abalone, scallops and oysters plucked directly from east coast waters.
For the most spectacular coastal views visit Cape Tourville lighthouse and take the cliff top walk. 
