The popular Freycinet National Park gets a little too friendly for Isaac and his friends so instead they opted for the isolation of the (ironically named) Friendly Beaches, which are actually a lot quieter.


We acknowledge that this adventure is located on Paredarerme Nation, the traditional Country of the Paredarerme people who have occupied and cared for this land and water for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

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Quick Overview

The Friendly Beaches are within the Freycinet National Park, in Tasmania. They’re only a short distance from hugely popular locations like Wineglass Bay and Mt. Amos, but don’t get anywhere near as many visitors. Not only that, it’s the perfect to set up a tent.

It’s hard to pick just one highlight from a camping trip to the Friendly Beaches. From cooking a quiet dinner at Isaacs Point while the sun slowly sets, to watching the epic sunrise the following morning, there are plenty of great views to enjoy.

During the day you can luxuriate in the fact that you’ve avoided the crowds and the quiet, crystal waters are all yours.

About the Friendly Beaches

The Freycinet National Park is a must-do for the majority of visitors to the Apple Isle. Wineglass Bay and Mt Amos are spectacular parts of the world, and they come with my personal recommendation, however if one’s tastes drift more to the peaceful, unspoken corners of Tasmania, then the Friendly Beaches, near Coles Bay, should be on your list.

It’s the ideal location for a quiet getaway, with opportunities to swim, walk, take photos, and enjoy nature.

Read more: 3 Day Freycinet Peninsula Circuit (TAS)

 

You’re going to want to hang around for sunset | Photo by Steven Penton via Flickr | License

How To Get There

Head towards Coles Bay and the Freycinet National Park. This is most easily reached from Hobart, Launceston or the East Coast. When travelling South on Coles Bay Rd, turn left onto Friendly Beaches Rd. This is signposted and there’s also advertisements for Freycinet Air, so watch out for them as an indicator of where to turn.

Follow the asphalt-come-gravel road until you reach the lookout. Stop for a breathtaking photo then continue on for 2 minutes and pick your campsite.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Nearby Accommodation

Cradle Mountain Holiday & Caravan Park – Discovery Parks

 , @ Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, TAS 7310
Book Now

Pine Edge Heights – Tiny Away

 @ Pine Edge, 168 Risbys Rd, Ellendale TAS 7140
Book Now

Tiny Percival – Into The Wild Escapes

 @ Cloudy Bay Rd, South Bruny TAS 7150, Australia
Book Now

Skill Level

Beginner

Essential Gear

  • Tent, sleeping bag and mat
  • Stove, gas, food and water
  • Toilet supplies (2 hybrid toilets onsite)
  • Camera
  • First aid kit
  • Parks pass

Don’t forget to fill out a Trip Intention Form before heading out!

What It’s Like To Camp at the Friendly Beaches

Myself, Dave (fellow adventurer to the Scott-Kilvert Hut) and Breanna decided we needed a weekend away. With university impending for two of us, we figured commencing on Monday a little dazed from a weekend in paradise seemed like the best of ideas. We loaded up my Subie (a Tasmanian adventurer’s best friend), and headed for The Friendly Beaches, near Coles Bay.

Isaac’s Point Campground

We arrived at our destination after a brief stop for a photo – make sure to pause at the lookout for a breathtaking view of the dawdling coastline that is the Friendly Beaches. I certainly feel like this could be the beach that inspired Hollow Coves’ song Coastline. We then scouted the Isaac’s Point campground, before deciding on a beautiful spot within reach of the welcoming whispers of the ocean.

 

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The Friendly Beaches looking fiiiiine

 

Camping Creatively

That night we ferried our gear to the beach, lay a tarp and cooked by the water. I encourage those of you who do adventure to not just strive to photograph your journey from a different angle, but to experience it likewise. Wake up for the sunrise, sleep under the stars, swim when it’s cold, or light a fire on the beach.

Don’t just visit the environment, become one with it.

As the tide drifted in, and the sun below the horizon, we really could feel nothing but elation to be experiencing it.

 

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Dinner with a view my dudes

 

Enjoying Freycinet National Park

We slept early that night, before being woken by the sun’s rays and the ocean’s calling. We filled our second day in paradise with a hike up nearby Mt. Amos, and a swim at Richardson’s Beach; a final gift from the ocean before heading for home with fond memories, salt in our hair, and sand in our shoes.

 

View of Wineglass Bay from the top of Mt. Amos | Photo by John Morton via Flickr | License

FAQs Friendly Beaches

How far away from Hobart are the Friendly Beaches?

The Friendly Beaches are 175km from Hobart, which works out at about a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

Do you need to book the campsites at Friendly Beaches?

The campsites at Friendly Beaches are free, and no bookings are required. This does mean that the sites operate on a first-in-best-dressed basis, so keep this in mind if you’re planning to visit in peak periods.

Do I need a Tasmanian Parks Pass to camp at Friendly Beaches?

Yes. The Friendly Beaches Campground is located in Freycinet National Park so you’ll need a valid Tasmanian Parks Pass for the duration of your visit. You can buy one at the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service website.

Can’t get enough of Tassie?

 

Header and TOC photos by Steven Penton via Flickr | License 

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