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Tasmania (Eastern Region) |
| Coles Bay | |
| COLES BAY, on the north edge of the Freycinet National Park, is a sheltered inlet with fishing boats moored in the deep blue water, all set against the striking backdrop of The Hazards, three pink granite peaks – Amos, Dove and Mayson – rising straight from the sea. | |
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the 1930s the hamlet of Coles Bay has been the base for the park, and for
fishing and recreation. As a result, there are numerous fishing shacks and
holiday houses available to rent. The Coles Bay Caravan Park,
4km further west on Coles Bay Road, is in a bush setting, with beach
access and backpackers’ accommodation (twin share rooms, fully equipped
kitchen, dining room and own amenities); the rate includes one return
ticket on the Bicheno–Coles Bay bus service.
Supplies of all sorts are available at Coles Bay Trading on Garnet Avenue (tel 03/6257 0109; daily 8am–6pm, to 7pm in summer); this is also the post office, service station, boat rental outlet and tourist information centre, and it has a coffee shop. Next door you can get a seafood dinner caught by the restaurateurs at Madge Malloy’s (tel 03/6257 0399; licensed; closed Sun & Mon nights). Getting there |
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| Heading
for Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park, you turn off the Tasman
Highway 33km north of Swansea, following the Coles Bay Road. After about
8km, turn left down a side road (3km unsealed) to the Friendly Beaches,
a new addition to the national park, taking in a length of unspoilt
shoreline backed by eucalypt forest. If you’re cycling, you can
cut 40km from your journey by riding along Nine Mile Beach Road, at the
end of which a ferry will take you across the Swan River to SWANICK,
about 6km northwest of Coles Bay. The ferry (about $10; no service
May–Sept) must be booked by calling the night before (tel 03/6257 0239).
Redline and Tasmanian Wilderness Travel drop off 31km away from Coles Bay, at the turn-off on the Tasman Highway. Here you’ll have to wait for the Coles Bay–Bicheno Coach Service (up to three daily, although at off-peak times you may have to book; tel 03/6257 0293), which can take you right to the start of the walking tracks – the only other alternative is to walk. |
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