Hazards Beach Circuit
- August 3, 2026
Freycinet"s premier full-day walk is an 11 - 12.5km loop taking in the iconic Wineglass Bay Lookout and beach, then…
Friendly Beaches is a long, wild stretch of white sand on the northern reaches of Freycinet National Park, well away from the crowds at Wineglass Bay. A short boardwalk and stairs lead from the car park to the sand, where you can walk as far as you like — from a five-minute look to a full afternoon exploring one of Tasmania’s most beautiful and least crowded beaches. Recognised as one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, Friendly Beaches is as much a choose-your-own-adventure as it is a defined walking track.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Freycinet National Park, Tasmania |
| Distance | Flexible — from a few hundred metres to several kilometres along the beach |
| Time | From 5 minutes to several hours |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Track Type | Return along the beach |
| Track Surface | Boardwalk and stairs to the beach, followed by soft sand |
| Best Time to Visit | Any time of year; check tide and weather conditions before a longer walk |
From the car park at the end of Friendly Beaches Road, a short boardwalk leads to an overlook before a set of steps descends to the sand. From there, the walk follows the beach itself. The route is flat, although walking on soft sand can become tiring over longer distances.
This walk is rated easy. The access track is short and straightforward, while the overall difficulty depends entirely on how far you choose to walk along the beach.
Friendly Beaches offers kilometres of largely untouched white sand, with far fewer visitors than Wineglass Bay. It is an ideal place to enjoy a genuine sense of space, quiet and coastal wilderness.
The water often displays the same striking turquoise colour found at Freycinet’s more famous beaches, creating beautiful views against the bright white sand.
A basic campground is located close to the beach, making Friendly Beaches a popular base for visitors wanting to spend more time exploring this quieter part of Freycinet National Park.
You do not need to commit to a long walk. Even a short visit to the sand is worthwhile, but walking farther along the coastline leads to increasingly quiet and secluded sections of beach.
Yes. Friendly Beaches is a flexible family-friendly destination, as the walk can be made as short or as long as required. Children should be closely supervised near the water because the beach is unpatrolled and surf conditions can vary.
Dogs are generally not permitted within Freycinet National Park, including the Friendly Beaches walking area. Check current signage and park regulations before visiting.
From the Tasman Highway (A3), turn onto Coles Bay Road and follow it for approximately 8.5 km. Turn left onto the unsealed Friendly Beaches Road and continue for around 4 km to the car park. Friendly Beaches is approximately 26 km north of Coles Bay.
For visitors seeking Freycinet’s turquoise water and white sand without the crowds of Wineglass Bay, Friendly Beaches delivers exactly that. Its wild, spacious coastline can be explored for just a few minutes or for several hours, making it one of the most flexible and rewarding short walks on Tasmania’s east coast.
Freycinet"s premier full-day walk is an 11 - 12.5km loop taking in the iconic Wineglass Bay Lookout and beach, then…
A flat, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop around the Cape Tourville lighthouse, delivering sweeping coastal views, glimpses of Wineglass Bay and excellent…
A short walk to a striking, lesser-known cove of turquoise water and orange granite boulders. Quieter than Wineglass Bay, with…
The walk to arguably Tasmania"s most photographed view - the perfect white crescent of Wineglass Bay framed by the pink…
