Coles Bay

Chill surf town

Why Coles Bay

• Wineglass Bay — one of the world's most beautiful beaches, accessible on foot
• Freycinet National Park hiking — multiple grades from easy coastal walks to challenging peaks
• Cape Tourville Lighthouse — easy 20-minute walk with sweeping coastal views

Coles Bay is the gateway village to Freycinet National Park on Tasmania's east coast — a peninsula of pink granite peaks, pristine white sand beaches, and extraordinarily clear turquoise water that makes it one of the most photographed corners of Australia. The centrepiece is Wineglass Bay, consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches, reached by a challenging but rewarding 2.5-hour return hike over the saddle between the Hazards peaks. The town itself is tiny — a general store, a café, the national park entrance, and a caravan park. Accommodation options are limited and prices reflect the location's premium status. But for those willing to budget carefully or self-cater, the experience of waking up on the edge of Freycinet is worth every cent. This is the kind of place where backpackers who normally rush from hostel to hostel stay two or three nights and still wish they'd stayed longer.