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6 Days
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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
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The Freycinet Peninsula, located on Tasmania’s east coast, is one of Australia’s most iconic national parks. The Freycinet Peninsula is a paddler’s dream with turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, orange boulders lining the shores and mountains of granite rising from the sea. The scenery is truly spectacular. The park boasts some 49 endemic Tasmanian species of animals including echidnas, wombats, wallabies and potoroos. The ocean is rich in marine life, including Australian Fur seals, dolphins and, on a seasonal basis, several species of whales. This trip includes paddling to Schouten Island, exploring the inaccessible eastern coastline and a hike to Mt Freycinet, the highest point on the Peninsula. Join us on this six day adventure as we paddle, hike and camp in one of Australia’s most amazing coastal environments.
Day 1
Arrive Hobart
Make your way to the Vibe Hotel Hobart, room check in is from 3pm. The trip briefing with your guide will be held in the hotel at 5.30pm. Your guide will distribute dry bags to pack your gear into and will organise the storage of luggage not required during the camp trip. Dinner tonight is not included, however the Vibe hotel is located in the centre of Hobart with cafes, restaurants and wine bars at your doorstep.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Depart Hobart, transfer to the Freycinet National Park, kayak briefing and outing
Start the day with an early breakfast at the hotel followed by a group pick for the two and a half hour drive to Freycinet National Park. On arrival into Coles Bay, we head for our put in point at Richardsons Beach. Here we pack the kayaks and prior to launching, your guide will run through a full safety briefing. Today’s paddle is along the picturesque west-coast, past craggy cliffs and along Hazards Beach, where we can stop and stretch our legs. Our destination is Cooks Beach campsite, located at the southern end of the 1km-long beach. The site is set among dense coastal scrub and is alive with birdlife. After camp set up and with time allowing, we enjoy a beach or bush walk, followed by dinner under the stars. Paddling distance: approximately 10-12km.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Paddle across the Schouten passage to Schouten Island
After a hearty breakfast, we break camp, pack the kayaks and head south to Schouten Island. We paddle along Bryans Beach and may stop for a picnic lunch on west-facing Passage Beach, located on the south-west tip of the Freycinet Peninsula and named after the one km wide Schouten Passage. Part of Freycinet National Park, Schouten Island is approximately six kms wide by seven kms long and bounded by a picturesque coastline of small sandy beaches and rocky bays. On arrival into the island, we set up camp for our two-night stay and explore the area. Paddling distance: approximately 10km.
Day 4
Paddle to Trumpeter Bay
Waking up on Schouten Island is an amazing experience for nature lovers, with pristine beaches, bush and ocean as far as the eye can see. Today, conditions permitting, the group will paddle the exposed east coast of the island to Trumpeter Bay and return, along a coastline of craggy granite cliffs. We keep a look out for Australian fur seals hauled out on rocks, as well as Little Penguins and Short-tailed Shearwaters (which breed on the island). If conditions are better suited for swapping paddles to hiking shoes, we can trek to the summit of 400m Bear Hill. The views are magnificent and the required scrambling over rocks are well worth the effort. We return to camp for sunset and dinner. Paddling distance: approximately 8-12km.
Day 5
Kayak to Hazards Beach
We break camp and farewell Schouten Island for the scenic 13km paddle north to Hazards Beach. The 3km long southwest-facing beach is named after the mountain range and is not hazardous, but sheltered within Great Oyster Bay. The beach is Wineglass Bay’s western twin, and the two beaches form a 1.5km wide isthmus tying the Freycinet Peninsula to the mainland. Hazard Beach campsite offers stunning views and sunsets, making it the perfect location to celebrate our last night camping together Paddling distance: approximately 13km.
Day 6
Morning paddle and walk, return to Hobart
Early morning is a prime time for the return walk to Wineglass Bay, about 40 minutes each way. Cutting across the isthmus, the trail is flat and well-maintained and passes Hazards Lagoon. Wineglass Bay lives up to its’ iconic status and some may like to celebrate their visit with a plunge in the pristine water! On return to Hazards Beach, we’ll break camp before the final paddle of the trip to Richardsons Beach in Coles Bay. After lunch, we transfer back to Hobart, with a drop off at your accommodation between 5-6pm. Any stored luggage will be available to collect at the end of the trip. Paddling distance: 9km.
Meals: B,L
What's included
What's not included
We camp for fve nights in stunning beach locations. During the trip we’ll be self-sufficient and all food, water and camp gear are carried in the kayaks. Provided are twin share tents, or you may like to bring your own tent, provided it is of suitable size. Composting toilets are available at Hazards Beach, Cooks Beach, Wineglass Bay and Friendly Beaches. There are no shower facilities. All camping gear, including cooking equipment, is supplied.
The first night of the trip will be in a hotel in Hobart, booked on a twin share basis with ensuite. Single supplement is available on a request basis for this night only (limited).
Our paddling will mostly take place in Great Oyster Bay, which is sheltered from the open ocean swell. However, we do hope to access the spectacular cliffs on the east coast of Freycinet Peninsula and to do so may require up to three hours in a kayak with the possibility of landing or launching in small waves. For the most part, the paddling is of moderate level and some previous kayaking experience is recommended. You do not need to be an expert kayaker or know how to roll, however, it is important to have a sound level of ftness and, most of all, a sense of adventure. The degree of difficulty of the trip will depend on the weather we encounter. We ask that all participants feel confident in swimming. In general, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the paddling. It’s a good idea to begin some regular exercise like walking, jogging, cycling or swimming well before the trip. If you have not paddled before, consider organising some tuition before your trip.
Per Person, Twin Share
It is a condition of booking a tour with us, and your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured for the full duration of the tour in respect of illness, injury, pre-existing medical conditions, death, loss of baggage and personal items and cancellation and curtailment. You must provide evidence to TEX that you have obtained personal travel insurance. You must ensure that your personal travel insurance covers all of the activities you expect to participate in.
Each trip departure takes a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 participants.
Mobile coverage is usually available where we paddle. We recommend you join the trip with your devices fully charged and carry spare batteries where applicable. Bring along a power bank or compact solar charger if you have one as there is no electricity at the campsites. Your guides carry a VHF marine radio for emergencies and satellite communication devices. We ask that you switch your phone to silent and consider other group members when using technology
We camp for five nights in stunning beach locations. During the trip we’ll be self-sufficient and all food, water and camp gear are carried in the kayaks. Provided tents are twin share tents, or you may like to bring your own tent, provided it is of suitable size. Composting toilets are available at Hazards Beach, Cooks Beach, Wineglass Bay and Friendly Beaches. There are no shower facilities. All camping gear, including cooking equipment and camp chairs, is supplied.
Meals are freshly prepared by the guides who are fantastic camp cooks. Breakfasts are a mix of hot and cold, with items such as muesli, fruit salad, scrambled eggs and pancakes on offer. Lunches are picnic-style, with a selection of wraps, crackers, cheese, cold meat and salad. Dinners are varied daily with emphasis on Tasmanian ingredients. Mains may be pasta with a freshly made sauce, lamb curry with chutney, a Mexican spread or a laksa with fresh ingredients. We are happy to cater for vegetarians and other special dietary requirements - please advise us at the time of booking.
Freycinet Peninsula has a cool, temperate climate dominated by the westerly flow of winds that blow across the Southern Ocean. November to April are the warmest months with air temperatures ranging from as low as 8°C to a comfortable 23°C, although fluctuations above and below these averages are common, often all in the space of a day! The ocean temperatures remain relatively stable over the course of the year, averaging between a refreshing 13-17°C from November to April. While rain can occur at any time of year, the summer months are typically dominated by a warm, dry northerly stream of air.
Our paddling will mostly take place in Great Oyster Bay, which is sheltered from the open ocean swell. However, we do hope to access the spectacular cliffs on the east coast of Freycinet Peninsula and to do so may require up to three hours in a kayak with the possibility of landing or launching in small waves. For the most part, the paddling is of moderate level and some previous kayaking experience is recommended. You do not need to be an expert kayaker or know how to roll, however, it is important to have a sound level of ftness and, most of all, a sense of adventure. The degree of difficulty of the trip will depend on the weather we encounter. We ask that all participants feel confident in swimming.
The kayaks used are Wilderness Systems Tsunami singles and Mission Eco Niizh doubles, all sit-in with rudder. The kayaks are stable, easy to paddle and control and suited for beginners to experts. On day one of the trip you will be given a thorough briefing on all aspects of sea kayaking techniques with ample time to practice and familiarise yourself with the kayaks.
Paddles used are Werner Skagit at 220cm length. All paddles are split for easy adjustment to suit your style.
Other equipment supplied include your PFD (personal flotation device), 2 x 20L dry bag, a set of pogies (paddling mittens), a paddling cag (an over-the-head style jacket that has seals on the waist, wrist and neck offering protection from wind and rain).
The trip starts with a night of accommodation in Hobart on day 1. Check-in is from 3pm. Please ensure you arrive before the 5:30pm briefing.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.
Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.
Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.