Coles Bay

Travel Guide
Wineglass Bay
Coles Bay
Coles Bay
Tasmania showing general coastal views, mountains and rocky coastline
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.

Freycinet Lodge
Freycinet Lodge
4 out of 5
Coles Bay Road, Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is €312 per night from 29 Nov to 30 Nov
€312
includes taxes & fees
29 Nov - 30 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Coles Bay. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"The property is located ideally for a hike up to Wineglass Bay lookout and down to the bay itself. Staff who excelled in service were Leigh and Swasti."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Freycinet Lodge
Iluka Holiday Centre
Iluka Holiday Centre
3 out of 5
Reserve Road, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is €135 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
€135
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (407 reviews)
"Clean and tidy with lots of room"

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2024

Iluka Holiday Centre
Freycinet Resort
Freycinet Resort
4.5 out of 5
1799 Coles Bay Road, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is €283 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
€283
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park and Freycinet ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (137 reviews)
"a most enjoyable 3 day stay. the accommodation and views were exceptional. Two staff, David & Erin, made our stay extra enjoyable."

Reviewed on 17 Nov 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.
Hazards Homestay, a newly refurbished private holiday home, 5 minutes from town.
Hazards Homestay, a newly refurbished private holiday home, 5 minutes from town.
Coles Bay
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park and Sandpiper Beach are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (29 reviews)
Cosy home in a great location
"Really happy with our stay here 5min drive out of the Coles Bay township. Our kids loved this place, plenty of space to play inside and explore it in the bush. There's a track adjacent the house with a easy 15min stroll through the bush down to the beach. The house was clean and tidy with all the ..."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2024

Hazards Homestay, a newly refurbished private holiday home, 5 minutes from town.
Fireplace & ocean views. 1 minute walk to beach. Free wifi. Sundeck & BBQ.
Fireplace & ocean views. 1 minute walk to beach. Free wifi. Sundeck & BBQ.
Coles Bay
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Coles Bay. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and balconies. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park and Sandpiper ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
Beautiful place and toddler friendly
"We loved our stay. The setting is beautiful and the house has lovely spaces that one can use. We loved that there were toys, a high chair and plastic utensils for our toddler."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2024

Fireplace & ocean views. 1 minute walk to beach. Free wifi. Sundeck & BBQ.
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 garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Freycinet National Park and Richardsons ...
9/10 Wonderful! (17 reviews)
"Comfortable and close to everything"

Reviewed on 22 Nov 2024

Pebble Shack
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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