From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

Wineglass Bay looks lovely from the famous lookout, but the view from the water reveals a different Freycinet. You’ll pass beneath granite cliffs, peer into sea caves, and watch the Hazards change colour as the boat moves along the coast. The best part is the chance to see seals, dolphins, albatross, penguins, or whales in their own setting.

I like the friendly, attentive crew, especially the strong care shown to passengers using wheelchairs or struggling with the swell. I also like the simple Tasmanian lunch, which gives you something substantial without interrupting the scenery. The catch is the weather: rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable, and poor conditions may prevent the boat from reaching Wineglass Bay.

Key points

• Wineglass Bay from sea level: See the beach, cliffs, and coves from a viewpoint walkers cannot reach.
• Wildlife is a real possibility: Dolphins, seals, whales, albatross, sea eagles, penguins, and other birds have all been seen.
• Captain Noah’s commentary: Expect useful facts, gentle humour, and explanations of local geology, wildlife, and landmarks.
• A comfortable four-and-a-half-hour boat trip: The vessel has indoor seating, large windows, heating, air-conditioning, toilets, and viewing decks.
• Ploughman’s lunch onboard: The bento-style box includes meat, cheese, and other Tasmanian produce, with drinks available to buy.
• Weather shapes the day: The cruise may follow an alternative route when conditions make Wineglass Bay unsafe or inaccessible.

Why the water gives you a better look at Freycinet

The cruise begins at Coles Bay, at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade. From here, Schouten Passage II heads into the waters around Freycinet National Park, giving you a broad view of the coast before the boat reaches the main sights.

From land, Freycinet is often reduced to one postcard: the white curve of Wineglass Bay beneath the Hazards mountains. At sea, you get the full setting. Granite cliffs rise directly from the water, and their colours shift with the sun, cloud, and spray. You may also see folds, cracks, and markings in the rock that are easy to miss from a lookout.

I like this approach because it makes the national park feel larger and wilder. You are not simply stopping at a beach for a quick photograph. You are following the coast, with time to notice sea caves, small coves, beaches, waterfalls after rain, and offshore islands where seals gather.

The trip lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. That is long enough for a proper coastal journey, lunch, wildlife watching, and a little time to sit quietly. It is not a short sightseeing boat ride, so you should be ready to spend much of the day on the water.

Schouten Passage II and the best places to sit

The boat has seating on both levels, viewing decks, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and fully stocked bars. The Vista Lounge has large windows reaching nearly from floor to ceiling, giving you a useful indoor option when the wind picks up or rain arrives.

I would start indoors if the sea is unsettled, then move outside when the crew points out something worth seeing. The front deck is especially useful for photographs and close views of the cliffs, but it can be cold and exposed. Pack warm clothing even in summer. Tasmania’s weather can turn quickly, and the boat feels cooler than the shore.

Comfortable, flat shoes are the sensible choice. You will want stable footing as you move around, especially if the sea becomes lumpy. The crew takes safety seriously and reminds passengers to keep three points of contact when walking around the vessel.

The Sky Lounge is reserved for adults aged 18 and over. Families and younger passengers can use the other seating areas, including the Vista Lounge and viewing decks. Baby-changing facilities are available, which makes the trip easier for parents than a basic open-deck boat ride.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and the crew has a strong record of helping passengers who need assistance. That does not mean every part of the boat will feel equally easy to reach in rough conditions, so it is wise to discuss your needs at check-in. The staff are prepared to help with boarding and movement around the boat.

Sailing past granite cliffs, caves, and coves

The first part of the journey is about the coast itself. Freycinet’s granite is the star. The cliffs are not one flat wall. They break into headlands, ledges, caves, and sheltered corners, with different colours appearing as the boat changes direction.

The onboard commentary explains the local landmarks, geology, wildlife, and past. Captain Noah has been singled out for making even small details, including lichen on the rocks, worth noticing. His style includes humour, but the useful facts do not get lost in the entertainment.

I like having a guide on a boat trip like this. Without commentary, you might photograph a cliff and move on. With it, you begin to understand why the coast looks the way it does and where to look for animals. The crew also spends time on the front deck, answering questions and pointing out things that may be difficult to spot from inside.

You should not expect a silent nature trip. The commentary is part of the experience, though it is generally kept at a level that lets you enjoy the wind and water between explanations. If you prefer complete quiet, the indoor lounge may feel more social than peaceful, but the viewing decks offer space to step away from the main narration.

The boat may pass sea caves and narrow coastal openings, depending on conditions. These sections show the force of the ocean better than the calm beach at Wineglass Bay. On rainy days, waterfalls can appear on the cliffs, adding another detail that is easy to miss in dry weather.

Wildlife watching around Freycinet

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but they are one of the strongest reasons to choose the cruise. Dolphins may approach the boat, sometimes travelling alongside it or circling in a pod. Seals can be seen resting on rocks, squabbling, or moving through the water near offshore islands.

Whales are another possibility, especially at times when they are passing through the region. Sightings have included humpback whales breaching, although you may see them at a distance rather than right beside the boat. Albatross, gannets, sea eagles, and other birds are also part of the coastal picture.

The crew actively watches for wildlife and shares the excitement when something appears. That matters because a whale’s blow or a dark shape among the waves can be easy to miss. You may want to keep binoculars handy if you have them, though no special equipment is listed as necessary.

A good wildlife day depends on patience and weather. One trip may bring dolphins, seals, whales, and birds. Another may offer mainly cliffs, caves, and beaches. I would book this for the whole coastal experience, not on the promise of checking off a particular animal.

There is also a sound environmental reason to appreciate the crew’s approach. The boat operators are careful around wildlife, and the aim is to observe rather than chase. That is the right balance for a national park cruise.

Wineglass Bay from the water

Wineglass Bay is the emotional centre of the trip. Approaching by boat lets you see the curve of the beach framed by the Hazards, with the clear water changing from deep blue to pale turquoise near shore.

The view is different from the land lookout. From above, you see the bay as a complete shape. From the water, you feel its scale and isolation. Lunch may be served while the boat is positioned near the bay, giving you time to eat while looking across the water.

There is no shore stop included in this cruise. That is important. You are seeing Wineglass Bay from the boat rather than walking on its sand or hiking to the lookout. If your priority is beach time or the classic elevated photograph, you will need a separate land-based visit.

The route is also subject to weather and sea conditions. Strong wind or swell may prevent the boat from reaching Wineglass Bay. In that case, the captain can take an alternative route around other parts of the coast. This is not a minor detail. One cruise followed a different route and produced excellent dolphin and fur seal sightings, while another stayed around Oyster Bay because conditions were too poor.

I would rather have a safe alternative route than a forced run into bad weather. Still, you should book with flexible expectations. The bay is the advertised highlight, but the coast and wildlife are what make the day worthwhile when the route changes.

What comes in the Ploughman’s lunch

The included meal is a bento-style Ploughman’s lunch. It is designed to be easy to eat in the lounge, with a selection of meat, cheeses, and other items, including Tasmanian produce.

Most people will find it tasty and well suited to a boat trip. It is not a restaurant lunch, and portions may feel light if you have a large appetite. One passenger found the meat portion a little small, while others considered the selection generous and very good value.

You can buy drinks from the onboard bars. Coffee is available, and it has received particular praise as a welcome extra on a cool day. Drink prices have also been described as reasonable, though the cost of drinks is not included in the $141 ticket.

Dietary requirements can be catered for, but you should raise them when booking or before departure. Lunch is not included for infants, so families with babies should plan accordingly.

The timing works well. You can eat while the boat is positioned near a scenic section, then return outside for photographs. I would not expect lunch to be the main reason for booking, but it adds real value to a four-and-a-half-hour outing and saves you from carrying a full picnic.

Is $141 good value?

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap short cruise. It is a substantial half-day outing that includes the boat trip, live English commentary, and a Ploughman’s lunch. Drinks cost extra, and transport from Hobart is not included.

The price makes more sense when you consider the access. You are covering a long stretch of Freycinet’s coast, using a purpose-built vessel with indoor facilities, outdoor viewing areas, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and a bar. You also have a crew focused on wildlife spotting and passenger safety.

For someone already staying near Coles Bay, I consider it good value if you want to see Freycinet from the water. It combines sightseeing, transport along the coast, lunch, and interpretation in one booking. If you are comparing it with a quick harbour cruise, this is a much more substantial outing.

The value is less clear if you are making the long drive from Hobart solely for this activity. Coles Bay is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Hobart by car, so the return drive adds a major amount of time. I would stay in or near the Freycinet area if possible, or treat the cruise as the main event in a full day rather than a casual add-on.

Getting there from Hobart and planning your day

The meeting point is at Wineglass Bay Cruises, on the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. There are no transfers from Hobart, so you must arrange your own transport.

Check the departure time carefully and allow enough time for the drive. The trip needs to fit around the cruise rather than the other way around. If you are visiting Freycinet for several days, this makes planning easy. If you have only one day, the long road journey can make the schedule tiring.

The cruise is available in English, with a live guide. It is not offered on Christmas Day, and the listed options are also unavailable then. The operator can cancel or alter the route because of weather or availability.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps when your Tasmania plans depend on road conditions and the weather forecast.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose it for anyone who wants a broad view of Freycinet without committing to a long hike. It suits couples, families, older visitors, photographers, and anyone who would rather see the coast from sea level.

It is also a strong choice if wildlife matters to you. Dolphins and seals are fairly plausible possibilities, while whales, albatross, sea eagles, penguins, and other birds may add a memorable surprise.

Families are well served by the facilities, and the cruise has worked well for passengers travelling with babies and young children. Wheelchair users should find the accessibility support helpful, especially because the crew is attentive and willing to assist.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness or dislike cold, windy conditions. The boat has indoor seating and air-conditioning, but weather can still make the journey uncomfortable. Warm layers, flat shoes, and realistic expectations are essential.

Should you book the Wineglass Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want more than a photograph of Wineglass Bay. The cruise gives you cliffs, caves, coves, wildlife, commentary, and a proper half-day on the water, with a good lunch included.

Do not book it on the assumption that the boat must reach Wineglass Bay or that you will step onto the beach. Weather can change the route, and the cruise is about the entire Freycinet coast. If you can accept that, the $141 price buys a well-supported, informative outing with several ways to have a memorable day.

FAQ

Where does the Wineglass Bay Cruise depart from?

It departs from Wineglass Bay Cruises at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours.

Is transport from Hobart included?

No. Transfers from Hobart are not included, and the meeting point is about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Hobart.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A bento-style Ploughman’s lunch is included for booked passengers. Lunch is not included for infants, and drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the cruise is wheelchair accessible. Seating, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and viewing areas are available on both levels.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise is subject to weather conditions and may follow an alternative route. Reaching Wineglass Bay is not guaranteed if sea conditions make the route unsafe.