Wineglass Bay Tours & Experiences

Wineglass Bay tours from Hobart make for a big, scenic day out: the bay sits inside Freycinet National Park on Tasmania's east coast, a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from the city. Cruises start at Coles Bay and the full-day road tour starts in Launceston, so the planning is about where you begin as much as what you see.

How far Wineglass Bay is from Hobart

Wineglass Bay is roughly 190 km from Hobart by road. The route heads north on the Tasman Highway (A3), then turns south onto the C302 into Freycinet National Park. One road runs through the park and the walking track carpark is well signposted. Coles Bay is the nearest town.

That drive shapes how the tours work. Wineglass Bay tours start closer to the bay than Hobart does: the cruise leaves from Coles Bay and the full-day road tour leaves from Launceston. If you're staying in Hobart, you'll need to plan the leg to the start point, or break the trip with a night on the east coast.

Wineglass Bay cruises from Coles Bay

A Wineglass Bay cruise shows you the bay from the water: granite peaks, white sand beaches and hidden caves along the Freycinet coastline. The Wineglass Bay cruise with lunch and drinks in the Sky Lounge is a 4-hour sailing on the Schouten Passage II, run by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys from 61 Jetty Road, Coles Bay. Check-in is before 9.30am for the 9.45am cruise.

Wildlife is a big part of the route. The cruise lists Little Penguins, Australian Fur Seals and migrating whales among its encounters, and the operator suggests keeping an eye out for sea eagles above the cliffs, dolphins riding the bow wave and albatross on the wind.

Morning tea, a smorgasbord lunch and drinks are included. The Sky Lounge is adults only, with access to the captain's bridge and a private viewing deck.

Full-day Wineglass Bay tours by road

A road tour covers more of Freycinet than the water does. The Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park full-day tour leaves Launceston at 7.30am and returns at about 6pm, a 12-hour day in a small group capped at 20 people. It runs on selected weekdays and not on weekends or public holidays.

The drive east passes through the Georgian streets of Evandale and Campbell Town, where the Convict Brick Trail and the Red Bridge are worth a look, before The Hazards come into view at Freycinet.

In the park, the tour takes the easy Cape Tourville Lighthouse walk for 360-degree views, then the 1.3 km uphill stroll to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. Honeymoon Bay and a stop at Devil's Corner Winery fill out the day. The national park entry fee is included and hotel pick-up is available from selected locations in Launceston.

Walking to the Wineglass Bay Lookout

The walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout starts at the national park carpark and climbs 1.3 km up a loose gravel track. Tourism Tasmania gives a 1 to 1.5-hour return time for the lookout on its own. Continue down to the beach and come back via the lookout and it becomes a 2 to 3-hour outing.

Self-drivers pay a national park entrance fee at Freycinet. A guided road tour includes it, and a cruise skips the climb altogether.

Choosing between a cruise and a day tour

A cruise suits anyone who wants the Freycinet coastline and its wildlife from the water, with lunch sorted and a seat in the Sky Lounge for the adults in the group. A road tour suits people who want to walk: the lookout, the lighthouse, a winery stop, with a guide handling the driving.

From Hobart, a cruise adds a 4-hour sailing to a 2.5 to 3-hour drive each way, so a same-day return makes for a very long day. A night on the east coast turns the same trip into a much more relaxed one.

More day trips from Hobart

The Tasman Peninsula, south-east of Hobart, is the other big day-trip direction. See Port Arthur tours and Tasman Island tours for the convict site and the sea cliffs. Bruny Island tours cover the island south of the city, and Hobart cruises stay on the water closer to town. The full range sits under Hobart tours.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Wineglass Bay from Hobart?

Wineglass Bay is roughly 190 km from Hobart, a 2.5 to 3-hour drive north on the Tasman Highway and then south on the C302 into Freycinet National Park.

Do Wineglass Bay tours leave from Hobart?

Wineglass Bay tours on Experience Oz start nearer the bay. The Wineglass Bay cruise departs from Coles Bay and the full-day Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park tour departs from Launceston.

How long is the walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout?

The Wineglass Bay Lookout is a 1.3 km climb on a gravel track from the national park carpark, about a 1 to 1.5-hour return walk. Continuing down to the beach and back makes it a 2 to 3-hour round trip.

What wildlife can you see on a Wineglass Bay cruise?

The Wineglass Bay cruise from Coles Bay lists Little Penguins, Australian Fur Seals and migrating whales among its wildlife encounters, with sea eagles, dolphins and albatross also seen along the coast.

Is lunch included on a Wineglass Bay cruise?

Yes. The Wineglass Bay cruise with lunch and drinks in the Sky Lounge includes morning tea, a smorgasbord lunch and beverages.

What is included on the full-day Wineglass Bay tour?

The full-day Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park tour includes the national park entry fee, guided walks, a group of no more than 20 people and hotel pick-up from selected locations in Launceston.

Wineglass Bay tours from Hobart come down to the water or the walking track, and where you want the day to start. Pick yours above and book it online.