Mini TR - long weekend at Coles Bay / Freycinet

[RooFlyer]

Just had a pre-Christmas long weekend at Coles Bay, eastern Tasmania, with best friends. Just about my favourite place, anywhere. It adjoins the Freycinet National Park.

I'm currently on the wagon (for the past month and counting ...) but have no intention of being dogmatic about it. A weekend break-out will make the experience twice as sweet

We drove up the east coast and stopped for lunch at Devil's Corner. You can get good coffee, seafood (fresh oysters from Coles Bay), pizzas etc here and there is a Hazards Vineyard (Brown brothers) tasting area.

The view of our destination! The Hazards granite mountain range:



First up was a walk along Muir's beach - this view looking towards The Hazards mountains and the town of Coles Bay (yes, hidden away amongst the tress):



Looking back the other way, there's Saffire. You can pay $1,500+ per night here, and I think $300-odd for dinner, including wines except the absolute top shelf. We in the town reckon we are on a good wicket!

(What guests at Saffire may not realise is they get the sometimes smelly, sea-weed covered end of the beach )



Returning to my place, the deck awaits:



... and a Devils Corner pinot which was just the ticket:


Marinated butterfly leg of lamb on the BBQ:




Accompanied by a Mt Edelstone, natch

 

[RooFlyer]

Next morning it was a bit rough on the water so we went for a walk instead. The track to Wineglass Bay lookout (ie up to the saddle from the car park) was re-built a number of years ago, but until this year, with a major re-build, the track down to the beach was pretty rough. Hadn't done it for a few years now but with the new track, had to have a look.

"You are here" is the Wineglass Bay track car park; there is an up-track and a down track to and from the lookout, then a single track down to the beach on the other side. The walk up Mt Amos is via a scramble and bit of a climb (not a track) and is well worth it - the view is unique. Not these days for us, though. . They say to allow abt 3 hours to Wineglass Beach beach and back, plus time at the beach; most can do it in a bit less than that.

Hazards Beach is less visited than Wineglass Beach



Its an excellent track up, with several rest stops and some nice constructed arched culverts. Mix of steps and ramped track overall.



View down to Coles Bay from abt 2/3 way up:



At the top, there is a place to lie down ...



And the lookout, where most people finish and return:



But we intrepids carried on - going downhill it was soooo easy

Arriving at Wineglass beach:






Wineglass Bay got its name from the mid 1800s when there was a significant whale fishery on the Freycinet Peninsula. They processed the whales here and the blood turned the water red, making the appearance of red wine ....

We used to always bring a picnic and the surf rods and settled on the beach for an hour or so, but this time we settled for a picnic and a bottle of wine on the rocks:



Time to return, and we knew that the good times were over. What comes down must go up

 

[Major]

That deck looks familiar

 

[LadyC]

A beautiful part of the world by the looks of it - on the list for a long weekend at some point.

 

[kpc]

Been to Freycinet National Park twice over the years...it is indeed a very pretty part of the world! We also stayed at Coles Bay on one trip ...if only I had more time and leave....

 

[RooFlyer]

Next day it was fine and calm, so we went after some flatties:



Off the old granite quarry, the bay's latest tourist thing - a jet boat. Can't say I'm wild about it, but shouldn't disturb the peace too much - it'll mainly operate down the peninsula.



Wineglass Bay Cruises' boat, off 'The Fisheries'



Most boaties go fanging down to Schouten Passage where the fishing is spectacular, but its about 30 mins away ... we are generally content to potter around the Bay or Hazards Beach.





We got enough for lunch, so my mate tried some squidding while I cleaned the fish. This is our top secret squidding spot , handed down by an old Coles Bay hand 20 years ago. Wrong time of day of course.



In the bay is Picnic island where someone has built a couple of cabins for touris accommodation:


Home and lunch of fresh flathead. Bliss!



After lunch, read, beach walk, then pack up and home .

 

[VPS]

Just had a pre-Christmas long weekend at Coles Bay, eastern Tasmania, with best friends. Just about my favourite place, anywhere. It adjoins the Freycinet National Park.

I'm currently on the wagon (for the past month and counting ...) but have no intention of being dogmatic about it. A weekend break-out will make the experience twice as sweet

We drove up the east coast and stopped for lunch at Devil's Corner. You can get good coffee, seafood (fresh oysters from Coles Bay), pizzas etc here and there is a Hazards Vineyard (Brown brothers) tasting area.

The view of our destination! The Hazards granite mountain range:

View attachment 112602

First up was a walk along Muir's beach - this view looking towards The Hazards mountains and the town of Coles Bay (yes, hidden away amongst the tress):

View attachment 112603

Looking back the other way, there's Saffire. You can pay $1,500+ per night here, and I think $300-odd for dinner, including wines except the absolute top shelf. We in the town reckon we are on a good wicket!

(What guests at Saffire may not realise is they get the sometimes smelly, sea-weed covered end of the beach )

View attachment 112604

Returning to my place, the deck awaits:

View attachment 112608

... and a Devils Corner pinot which was just the ticket:

View attachment 112606
Marinated butterfly leg of lamb on the BBQ:


View attachment 112607

Accompanied by a Mt Edelstone, natch

View attachment 112605

That balcony view is magnificent. I'm gathering it's not a rental because it would be an amazing place to rent!!

 

[Steady]

That balcony view is magnificent. I'm gathering it's not a rental because it would be an amazing place to rent!!

It is a lovely place to stay - you haven’t gathered correctly.....

 

[RooFlyer]

I have had it on the rental market; but there are many places in Coles Bay with similar, or better views

I hosted a small AFF gathering there once.