Pink granite peaks, sheltered white sand beaches and a village at the water's edge: the setting does much of the work for a Freycinet Peninsula luxury stay. The peninsula sits on Tasmania's east coast, covers 65 square kilometres and lies inside Freycinet National Park.
This page is about what makes a more indulgent stay here worthwhile, the places around it, one premium tour we list, and the months when the weather is kindest. For stays themselves, start with our Freycinet Peninsula luxury accommodation page.
The setting behind a Freycinet Peninsula luxury stay
The peninsula is a large, dramatic land formation carved into the eastern coastline. Its pink granite mountain range, The Hazards, rises above sheltered white sand beaches. Freycinet National Park, declared alongside Mt Field as Tasmania's first national park, takes in most of it.
Two sandpits connect the peninsula to the mainland. Schouten Passage and Schouten Island lie off the southern tip, and Oyster Bay sits along the western side. Wineglass Bay and Honeymoon Bay are on the peninsula, as are the village of Coles Bay and the Friendly Beaches Reserve.
That mix is why a stay here suits both a wilderness retreat and a beach holiday. Quiet, water views and walking tracks close by are the real luxuries, and they come with the location.
Where to base yourself
Coles Bay
Coles Bay is the village on the peninsula, and the natural base for anyone wanting national park scenery on the doorstep. Wineglass Bay is within the same park, so a Coles Bay stay keeps the main sights close.
Near the national park
For one example of a stay on the peninsula, see our page on Freycinet Lodge, managed by RACT. Our wider Freycinet Peninsula accommodation guide covers other styles of stay.
For a lower-cost night or two
Not every night needs to be a splurge, and we reckon a mixed trip works well. These parks are listed on the site, all with powered sites and cabins. Contact each park for current rates and availability.
- Freycinet National Park in Gray
- BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park in Coles Bay
- Swansea Holiday Park in Swansea
A premium day tour from Hobart
If you want a full day out from your base, we list the Hobart: Maria Island National Park, Nature & Wildlife active tour. It runs for 10 hours and is priced from AUD 215. It heads to Maria Island National Park off the east coast, where you walk car-free trails across a landscape shaped by geology and convict history.
The walking is serious: you hike at least 10 km to the Painted Cliffs, sandstone carved into intricate patterns by tidal forces over millennia. The route then continues to the Fossil Cliffs, where ancient marine fossils line sheer rock faces. Details are on the Maria Island active tour page. More options are collected under Freycinet Peninsula tours. Check current prices and times with the operator before booking.
Getting there by road
Distances below are by road from the Freycinet Peninsula area.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast Tasmania | 53 km | about 53 minutes |
| Bay of Fires | 158 km | about 165 minutes |
| Launceston | 180 km | about 145 minutes |
| Hobart | 197 km | about 169 minutes |
| Tasman Peninsula | 209 km | about 195 minutes |
| Port Arthur | 213 km | about 199 minutes |
| Huon Valley | 243 km | about 212 minutes |
| Bruny Island | 273 km | about 270 minutes |
Launceston and Hobart are both under three hours away, so either works as an arrival point. The locality itself is about 110 km north-east of Swansea.
The best months for an indulgent stay
Figures below are 1991-2020 averages for the area, about 6 km from the peninsula.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.6 | 12.2 | 60.5 | 7.4 | 27.0 |
| February | 21.0 | 12.3 | 44.9 | 7.4 | 24.5 |
| March | 19.8 | 11.4 | 50.3 | 8.4 | 27.0 |
| April | 16.7 | 9.3 | 50.3 | 8.1 | 25.3 |
| May | 13.9 | 7.6 | 40.1 | 8.3 | 25.3 |
| June | 11.5 | 6.0 | 51.4 | 10.7 | 25.3 |
| July | 10.9 | 5.3 | 47.7 | 10.7 | 27.4 |
| August | 11.6 | 5.2 | 57.8 | 11.3 | 27.0 |
| September | 13.3 | 6.0 | 49.6 | 10.0 | 27.3 |
| October | 15.5 | 7.3 | 51.3 | 10.0 | 27.4 |
| November | 17.5 | 8.9 | 63.5 | 9.8 | 25.7 |
| December | 19.7 | 10.6 | 55.4 | 8.7 | 27.5 |
January to March is the warmest stretch, with highs of 20 to 22 degrees and the fewest rain days. February is the driest of the three at about 45 mm. December is also mild, with highs near 20 degrees.
Winter is cooler, with July highs near 11 degrees and lows around 5 degrees, and more rain days (about 11 in June to August). Even so, sunny days stay high at around 27 in July. A cold, bright winter weekend suits travellers who like to stay in rather than head out. May is the driest month at about 40 mm.
Planning the rest of your trip
For ideas beyond the accommodation, our Freycinet Peninsula activities page is a good next stop. Check Freycinet Peninsula specials for current offers. The state tourism body, Discover Tasmania, covers wider trip planning, and background on the peninsula is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Freycinet Peninsula?
It is on Tasmania's eastern coast, within Freycinet National Park, in the Glamorgan-Spring Bay local government area. Hobart is 197 km away by road, about 169 minutes.
When is the best time to go?
January to March is the warmest, with highs of about 20 to 22 degrees. Winter is cooler but still has plenty of sunny days.
Is there a premium tour we can suggest?
Yes. The 10-hour Maria Island National Park active tour from Hobart is listed from AUD 215, and includes a walk of at least 10 km to the Painted Cliffs and the Fossil Cliffs.
