We're wrapping up the Wineglass Bay Signature Walk, so be quick to jump aboard this ship to shore to summit experience.
Our voyage aboard the soon-to-retire 23-metre ketch Lady Eugenie will provide volumes of comfort and contemplation from Fortescue Bay to the glittering shallows of Freycinet.
We begin with a walk to Cape Hauy then Lady Eugenie sets sail up Tassie’s East Coast across either four or six days, stopping first at Lagoon Bay for early morning dips or rainforest wandering. The next hero is Maria Island: hiking up Bishop and Clerk rewards with views of what’s to come. Then we revel in the rare beauty of Schouten Island, served with fresh-shucked oysters and a fizzy local tipple on the beach.
Exquisite Wineglass Bay is part of your Freycinet National Park finale, complete with a Mount Graham climb and sunset dining at anchor.
Prices from $4,495 pp
Via Cape Hauy (approximately 4 hours walking)
This morning we will pick up from MACq01 between 7.00am - 7.10am, followed by the Old Woolstore between 7.05am - 7.15am. Or can make your way down to our walkers base 164 Murray Street, Hobart for 7.30am. Here you will meet your guides and have a briefing.
We then travel to Fortescue Bay and begin today's walk. This 4-hour return walk begins with a gentle ascent on a well-crafted track, before climbing atop the towering dolerite sea cliffs this peninsula is famed for. Along the way, you’ll pass through heath and woodland vegetation before the view opens up to magnificent rock formations. Your guides will point out well-known sea stacks including the Candlestick and the Totem Pole.
Arriving back at Fortescue Bay, we transfer via tender to our 23-metre (75-ft) ketch, the beautiful Lady Eugenie. This will be your floating home for the next five nights. Once aboard, enjoy a glass of wine with pre-dinner nibbles with the dramatic cliffs of Cape Hauy as our backdrop. A gourmet dinner of local Tasmanian delicacies will follow, prepared by your guide and yacht crew in the shelter of Fortescue Bay.
At times the walk and sailing itineraries will need to be changed due to weather and sailing conditions. If alterations are made your guide and crew will keep you well informed.
Via Canoe bay, Hyatt's Beach (approximately 3 hours walking)
Our morning begins with a short boat ride to the shoreline of Fortescue Bay. Here, choose to take an early morning dip or a short walk to Canoe Bay and back through small pockets of rainforest and coastal vegetation.
We return to the Lady Eugenie and sail north toward Maria Island, taking in the mighty dolerite spires from sea level. As we cruise along the Forestier Peninsula, we follow in the path of early European explorers such as Tasman, du Fresne and Baudin. Dropping anchor in Lagoon Bay, we head ashore for lunch and a walk on Hyatt’s Beach.
The afternoon takes us past Marion Bay and Cape Bernier and to the overnight shelter of Maria Island’s Shoal Bay. Late afternoon and early evening are the ideal time to disembark, explore the nearby trails and witness Maria Island’s peak hour. Unhurried wombats are other local wildlife are very active and visible. We retire back to the yacht for a relaxed dinner aboard.
Including Bishop & Clerk (approximately 5 hours walking)
A short scenic morning’s sail delivers us to the World Heritage-listed convict site of Darlington. Once populated with prisoners, it is now home to an array of architectural relics and abundant wildlife.
Today, we tackle our highest climb, the 630m ascent of Bishop & Clerk (4 to 5 hours return). As we traverse the high cliff edge of Fossil Bay, we are afforded sweeping views toward Schouten Island and Freycinet Peninsula, a glimpse of our journey to come. Perched high atop the dolerite columns of the summit, we enjoy lunch, with time to ponder the beauty and isolation of this island landscape.
Come late afternoon, we retire to the comfort of our yacht for pre-dinner nibbles and a delicious meal to celebrate the challenges and triumphs of our day.
Including Bear Hill (approximately 3-4 hours walking)
Following a leisurely breakfast on board Lady Eugenie, we set sail, leaving Maria Island and heading north on a 4-hour journey towards Schouten Passage. Sailing past the large sedimentary deposits of Fossil Bay and the towering dolerite columns of Bishop & Clerk, a rare geological beauty comes into view: the pink granite boulders and mountains of Freycinet Peninsula. Along the way, we get an up-close view of an Australian fur seal colony that makes its home on the rocky outcrop of Isle du Phoques.
After dropping anchor, we disembark on the secluded Schouten Island for a scenic 3-hour walk, climbing to the top of Bear Hill. Those who would prefer a leisurely afternoon can snorkel, swim or relax on-board.
Tonight is very special; if weather permits, stunning barefoot canapes and sparkling wines on the secluded shores of Schouten Island (weather permitting). Return from Bear Hill to plump Pacific oysters and Tasmanian sparkling as part of a three-course dining experience aboard Lady Eugenie.
Via Cooks Beach and either Hazards Beach or Mt Graham (approximately 5-7 hours walking)
Over breakfast we decide whether we ascend Mt Graham and take the high route to Wineglass Bay or opt for the less challenging but equally stunning coastal section of the Freycinet Peninsula circuit track. The former sees us head inland from the shores of Cooks Beach and ascend through tall Tasmanian Blue Gum forests before traversing the button grass fields of the East Freycinet Saddle, dotted with seasonal wildflowers. The trail descending from Mt Graham and Mt Freycinet takes in spectacular coastal views including iconic Wineglass Bay.
The coastal track heads north from Cooks Beach following the shores of enticingly-named Promise Bay while The Hazards mountain range gradually reveal to dominate the northern vistas over the peninsula’s isthmus. An hour's walk along Hazards Beach will bring us to the Isthmus Track where we’ll enjoy a close up view of wildlife at the lagoon before setting foot on the white sands of Wineglass Bay. After our day of walking, there’s time for a refreshing swim before boarding Lady Eugenie.
Approximately 3 hours walking
Our final day begins with breakfast on board Lady Eugenie. We can observe the busy shorebirds and towering forms of The Hazards mountain range above. We ascend gently between pink granite boulders until we overlook the white sands and turquoise waters of Wineglass Bay below.
A steep descent on a well-constructed track brings us back to the start of the Wineglass Bay Lookout Track. We continue for another two kilometres, winding through coastal heath and woodland habitats, until Honeymoon Bay. It is a beautiful cove, ideal for a picturesque lunch and a final swim. We meet our bus there, ready to take us to Hobart. Our return trip travels down Tasmania’s east coast. The journey is not over yet, though. We visit a boutique vineyard for wine and canapés, easing us back into life off the track and the comforts of Lady Eugenie.
We then return to Hobart via the airport (approximately 5.00pm) and then Hobart hotels between 5.15pm - 5.30pm.
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Don’t miss the boat: Our final sailing season is on the horizon so don’t miss the chance to secure a spot on this contemplative journey along the elusive Tasmanian coastline and onto secluded islands.
6 Days
Grade
Private Yacht
48KM
