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 €290 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€290
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
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! (999 reviews)
"Very friendly helpful staff"

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2025

Freycinet Lodge
Iluka Holiday Centre
Iluka Holiday Centre
3 out of 5
Reserve Road, Coles Bay, TAS
Fully refundable
The price is €125 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
€125
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
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! (429 reviews)
"Perfect stay for Wineglass bay trek 😊"

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Iluka Holiday Centre
Freycinet Resort
Freycinet Resort
4.5 out of 5
1799 Coles Bay Road, Coles Bay, TAS
The price is €285 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
€285
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Freycinet Marine Farm and Sandpiper ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (141 reviews)
"More of an eco-resort. Loved the room and views are spectacular. Dining room has limited menu (Japanese at dinner) but breakfast is good and again views are spectacular. Very close to Coles Bay and National Park."

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2025

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.
Absolute waterfront. Pet friendly.
Absolute waterfront. Pet friendly.
Coles Bay
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Coles Bay. Enjoy patios. Popular attractions Sandpiper Beach and Freycinet Marine Farm are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
The place to stay.
"We're so glad we booked the blue house. It was perfect. The beds, pillows, utensils and everything you can think of good quality. The location is fantastic and it worked well with seperate areas for the kids, and my wife and I. The backyard backs on to the estuary/beach and two little jetties. Next ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2025

Absolute waterfront. Pet friendly.
Hazards Homestay, a recently refurbished holiday home, 5 minutes drive to town.
Hazards Homestay, a recently refurbished holiday home, 5 minutes drive to town.
Coles Bay
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Coles Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Sandpiper Beach and Muirs Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (34 reviews)
"Mike’s place was comfortable and ideally located for our stay as we explored the rock climbing around the Hazards. He was very easy to communicate with and made sure we had clear instructions. The house was well set up for the four of us and we enjoyed the spacious deck and living room with fire ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2025

Hazards Homestay, a recently refurbished holiday home, 5 minutes drive to town.
Park View - Freycinet Holiday Houses
Park View - Freycinet Holiday Houses
Coles Bay
Stay at this apartment in Coles Bay. Popular attractions Richardsons Beach and Coles Bay are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
Great Location & Views
"Was lovely to stay here with friends. Kitchen was well equipped & bedrooms comfy. Just had to light the bbq with matches as the knobs didn't ignite. Would be great with a covered entrance as we all got quite wet coming back to the accommodation."

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2024

Park View - Freycinet Holiday Houses
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!