Exploring Freycinet National Park in Tasmania - home of the most remarkable sunrise we've ever seen

Postcard Paradigms
Jun 9
2 min read

We closed our first weekend in Australia and thoroughly enjoyed the Hobart area. It was now time to venture northeast and begin exploring Freycinet National Park in Tasmania.

First, we had to do a little practice run and orient ourselves with driving in Australia. We had to get used to driving on the left side of the road, driving from the right side of the car and having all of the vehicle controls reversed. A lot of small changes that add up so before our drive to Freycinet, we took a test drive to Hobart Rivulet Park in an attempt to see duckbilled platypus.

The driving practice was a success, but a "no go" on platypus siting. I think this would be the only animal we were not able to see on our Australian odyssey.

Duck with vibrant blue-green wing patch stands in clear water, reflecting on the surface. Brown and black feathers in detail. — Consolation prize: no platypus siting but at least the local ducks put on a show. Love the teal stripe!

Time to hit the road to Freycinet!

Chris driving on the left side of the road for the first time with a view of the ocean through the window. Overcast sky, relaxed mood, hands on the steering wheel - extremely focused! — Lots of focus to drive along the winding coastal road

Arrival to Freycinet, checking into the lodge and having a look at Honeymoon Bay.

A quick video of this beautiful and serene place:

Having a look at Honeymoon Bay close to sunset on day 1 of our visit to Freycinet National Park in Tasmania

On day 2 in Freycinet, we would have ourselves a nice hike. Up a part of the Hazard mountains to a lookout and over to Wineglass Bay, a famous scene in both Frecyinet and Tasmania. This was Beth's first hike since her foot injury at Torres del Paine when we were in Chile, so a very successful first time out!

After the day hiking, we took in another sunset at Honeymoon Bay, enjoyed a wonderful dinner and then made the most of the tremendous star gazing in Tasmania's protected dark skies.

We were up bright and early on day 3 to catch the sunrise on the east side of the island. Photographs simply cannot do justice to the scene. This sunrise was among the most gorgeous we had ever witnessed.

We then made the most of the remaining day at Freycinet: enjoying a walk around a light house, taking in more scenery on the Tasman Sea, and saying "hello" to a kangaroo in the parking lot. The island shown below is the last bit of land that was between us in Freycinet in the Tasman Sea all the way until New Zealand. All before we drove back to the Hobart airport for our flight to Adelaide in South Australia.