The best running trails in Coles Bay Conservation Area

No Merlot here — the shelf stands empty, quiet, waiting for a bottle that never comes. Kein Merlot hier — das Regal bleibt leer, still, wartend auf eine Flasche, die nie kommt. Pas de Merlot ici — l'étagère reste vide, silencieuse, attendant une bouteille qui n'arrive jamais. No hay Merlot aquí — el estante queda vacío, silencioso, esperando una botella que nunca llega.

Peninsula Track is a picturesque coastal walking route that connects Hazards Beach, Wineglass Bay, and the northern end of the Freycinet Peninsula, winding through a mix of bushland and exposed shoreline. The track follows sandy beaches and low coastal scrub, with sections that pass lagoons and wetlands behind the dunes, and is a quieter and more varied alternative to the main lookout route. It’s also part of the longer Freycinet Peninsula Circuit, giving it a more remote feel with fewer crowds and plenty of wildlife, including wallabies and a variety of seabirds.

This lookout point is quite the reward for the hike to get here! Turquoise water, a white-sand beach, and hills surrounding the bay, all seen from above. You may choose to descend to this beach via the "1000 Stairs," but be aware that you are descending first; that's the easy part. You then must climb back up.

Wineglass Bay Track is impressively well-maintained, with stone steps, guardrails, clear signage, and jaw-dropping viewpoints. The boulder fields have interestingly shaped giant stones that really invoke the imagination.

As you weave in and out of this impressive boulder field, check out this balanced rock; it's a great spot for a photo. This rock formation is one of Tasmania's famous pink-and-orange granite formations in the Hazards Mountain range. These huge, rounded boulders were created from ancient molten granite that slowly cooled far beneath the Earth's surface 370 million years ago. Over time, they became exposed through uplift and erosion.

This purpose-built lookout provides the park’s signature view over the perfectly curved shoreline and turquoise water of Wineglass Bay. Set on the saddle between the Hazards peaks, it offers an elevated panoramic vantage point, framed by granite mountains and dense coastal bushland. The spacious viewing platform includes seating and railings, making it a comfortable place to pause and take in one of Tasmania’s most iconic coastal vistas.

Hazards Beach Track forms the southern leg of the circuit, linking Wineglass Bay with the long, quieter shoreline of Hazards Beach. The route crosses low coastal woodland and sandy sections behind the dunes, offering a contrast to the granite scenery on the Wineglass Bay side. It is roughly 4 kilometres between the beaches and is a peaceful stretch of walking with opportunities for wildlife sightings and plenty of ocean views.

We were extremely disappointed by the vegetation (there were several fires here in November 2023). It's a shame for the national park, but the entrance fee isn't worth it to then do the parched, burned, and therefore desolate bush walk. Not recommended! ...except for the view of Wineglass Beach.