Coles Bay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Coles Bay
Set between the pristine wilderness of the Freycinet National Park and a beautiful conservation area, this town on Tasmania’s East Coast is a spectacular getaway.

Explore the crystal clear waters of Coles Bay by kayak and meet the local wombats, quolls and echidnas on a bush walk. Watch the sun setting over the dramatic landscape of pink granite peaks while enjoying a dinner of locally farmed oysters and wine.

Appreciate the tranquility of sleepy Coles Bay from a waterfront camping site, a beach shack or a luxury eco-cabin. Around the township are a number of restaurants where you can savour fresh seafood, tasty drinks and a pleasant ambience.

Start your exploration of the coast’s beautiful wilderness at the Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre at the edge of town. Purchase your pass to the park here and learn through interactive displays about the biodiversity of the area and its cultural value.

Tackle the challenging walk up Mount Amos, one of the mountains known as the Hazards, or do the 31-kilometre (19-mile) hike through the Hazards to Wineglass Bay plan for 2 to 3 days. Relax for a day at the Friendly Beaches, with white sand between your toes. The beaches lead on to Cape Tourville to the south and Cape Lodi in the north. The park has limited facilities, so always carry enough water and food when you are setting out on a walk.

Follow the coastline on a boat cruise to explore sea caves and visit the remote and stunning beach of Wineglass Bay. Go for a sail or rent a kayak to paddle along the coast and look for dolphins.

Just out of town on Coles Bay Road, you’ll find Moulting Lagoon, where you can see the incredible variety of birds that breed in this wetland reserve. Thousands of black swans come here to moult their flight feathers. Look for songbirds, ducks, eagles and long-legged water birds too.

Drive about 2.5 hours from Hobart or Launceston to reach Coles Bay, a perfect place from which to explore the Freycinet National Park.

Iluka Holiday Centre
Iluka Holiday Centre
2 out of 5
Reserve Road, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is ฿4,470 per night from 4 May to 5 May
฿4,470
per night
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this holiday park in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre and Richardsons ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (383 reviews)
"Lovely park with cafes/bars within walking distance. Great views of oyster bay and not far from lookout to see the hazards (beautiful sunset location). Only short drive to Freycinet national park and walking tracks to some beautiful views including wine glass bay and sleepy bay. We had a wonderful ..."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2024

Iluka Holiday Centre
Freycinet Lodge
Freycinet Lodge
4 out of 5
Coles Bay Road, Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is ฿6,884 per night from 27 May to 28 May
฿6,884
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Coles Bay. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"Everything was perfect, wonderful staff especially Sam who went overboard to make us feel welcome. Would highly recommend Cabin 33, so private, with balcony outlook onto the beach."

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

Freycinet Lodge
Freycinet Resort
Freycinet Resort
4.5 out of 5
1799 Coles Bay Road, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is ฿6,604 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿6,604
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a terrace. Popular attractions Freycinet Marine Farm and Sandpiper Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (130 reviews)
"Great sunrise view from the room, very clean and cozy!"

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Freycinet Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pebble Shack
Pebble Shack
3.5 out of 5
13 Jetty Road, Coles Bay, TAS
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Coles Bay. Enjoy free parking, a terrace and a garden. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre and Richardsons ...
9/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
"We stayed two nights, and it was extremely comfortable and well equipped for our purposes of taking in the Freycient National Park. The location is perfect, 100 meters to coffee shop, a restaurant and supermarket and just a couple of Ks down the road to the National Park. Bed was great, top class ..."

Reviewed on 19 Apr 2024

Pebble Shack
Hazards House
Hazards House
3.5 out of 5
55 Freycinet Drive, Coles Bay, TAS
Stay at this 3.5-star holiday home in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park Visitor ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (8 reviews)
Family Road Trip
"Great place, very clean and tidy, perfect family property. We enjoyed our stay and our only wish was that it was for longer. Lovely views from lounge area."

Reviewed on 27 Sep 2021

Hazards House
Gumnut Cottage
Gumnut Cottage
3.5 out of 5
44 Freycinet Drive, Coles Bay, TAS
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (12 reviews)
"Bright clean warm and very inviting Cheers"

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

Gumnut Cottage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Coles Bay

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 80%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
23 Aug 2019

It’s sweet and small. Lovely location for wineglass bay

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Feb 2019

Coles Bay was a lovely small town. Good local shop and a superb ice cream parlour!

Cities near Coles Bay