Where's Jim Today: Coles Bay / Freycinet National Park (2017-03-02)

The first thing that we learned today, is don't rely on Google Maps in Tasmania. I used Google Maps to plot a route from Port Arthur to Coles Bay, but did not realize the significance of the "C" road that it took us on. We took the C335 from Copping, and got to see the "real" Tasmania. Thankfully it was only about 30 Km of gravel, and then we were back on the A3.

Coles Bay is the nearest town to Freycinet National Park, and the Gumnut Cottage in Coles Bay was our destination. Another great accommodation choice....we are 3 for 3 so far.

The Hazards from Coles Bay

Freycinet National Park is a small national park on a peninsular south of Coles Bay, and is a popular walking destination. Armed with our park pass, which is good for 8 weeks at all Australian national parks, and despite warnings that the parking lot would likely be full, we headed off to walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. Luckily, there was an empty space in the parking lot, and so we were all set.

Three Intrepid Hikers

The track was in good condition, and, despite the full parking lot, not too crowded. Almost immediately we saw our first wildlife, a small lizard known as a Metallic Skink. We saw many of his kin, of various sizes, along the way.

A Metallic Skink

With rain threatening, the cloud was low, but we still had great views of Wineglass Bay from the lookout.

Wineglass Bay from Lookout

The lookout was a busy place, with lots of people having their lunch or a snack, a habit which was obviously well known to a pair of wallabies, who were peering and poking into any backpack left open, and trying to remove food from peoples' hands.

Jim and Wally

Having mastered the first walk, we headed to Honeymoon Bay, on the leeward side of the park, where we ate our lunch on the beach and watched the braver people swimming in the bay.