Coles Bay
Coles Bay
4.5
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4.5
199 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
54
Average
14
Poor
5
Terrible
9
LizzieCooper
Coffs Harbour, Australia85 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We stayed two nights and truly has been a standout stay on our motoring RV trip. The Hazard Mountains smack you in the face as you drive in and it’s quite a site! It’s a quaint little place right on the cusp of Freycinet National Park and famed Wineglass Bay. It’s pretty and cute and coastal which I loved. We stayed at the local Big 4 which is right on the bay, adjoining a supermarket, cafe/bakery/pizzaria (depending what time and day it is) and a cracking tavern with huge tempura oysters and great outside sitting area. It’s a must to walk about 200m down the beach and watch the sunset on the Hazards - or even from the park. Both nights were beautiful. Also recommend a coffee from the bakery - one of the best on this trip - and walk down to the boat ramp and take in the glistening bay with their crystal clear waters. We were keen to do a Wineglass Bay Tour which left not far from camp but we were really after a bit of chill time. Did duck out with Oyster Bay Tours at Freycinet Marine Farm for a two hour tour and educational guide to their oysters and mussels. Trying a freshly opened oyster while standing in our waders is worth the $145 but you also get a guide how to open a half dozen yourself, enjoy some steamed mussels, class of Riesling, lots of info from Declan and again a huge vista that smacks you in the face. Coles Bay had it all for me and loved our time here. I will visit again but stay longer!
Written 20 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne N
Sydney, Australia2,590 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Coles Bay is a small coastal township which is the doorway to Freycinet National Park.
It is a long peninsula with scenery and accomodation with the National Park at the end of the road.
Coles Bay township is fairly small comprising of a convenience store, cafe and ice creamery/fish n chip shop.
There is also a main jetty which services the your operators that work in the district.
There are many public toilets in the area. But very limited refueling opportunities. The petrol station can be found on The Esplanade.
It is a long peninsula with scenery and accomodation with the National Park at the end of the road.
Coles Bay township is fairly small comprising of a convenience store, cafe and ice creamery/fish n chip shop.
There is also a main jetty which services the your operators that work in the district.
There are many public toilets in the area. But very limited refueling opportunities. The petrol station can be found on The Esplanade.
Written 3 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunseeker2016
Brisbane, Australia308 contributions
Jan 2020
As you walk up the Hazards towards the Wine Glass Bay lookout, you do get some sweeping views back to Coles Bay. It's a small township, mostly nestled on a slope that graduates down to the beach, with views over the bay to the Hazards, which themselves are an interesting pink hue- due to the rose coloured feldspar which is a part of the mix of minerals, also including black mica and white quartz, in the ganite. Apparently, this seam of granite stretches, under Bass Straight, all the way back to Wilson's promitory in Victoria. Lucky Cole's Bay residents, to have such a view. The shops and cafe's are limited, but we liked Geographe, a small cafe slightly uphill from the jetty.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard T
Burnley, UK1,308 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Rey pretty bay. Great beach, ideal for the campsite. We stayed in Frey inlet cottages which are ideally located o relooking the boat ramp area, and close to store and restaurants. Coral Bay is also just 10 minutes or so drive to Wineglass bay trails car park, making it an ideal “all round” location.
Written 25 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim B
Newnan, GA1,002 contributions
Mar 2020
For an additional 5 minutes drive go see the light house.
Parking is limited, but the walk around it doe not take long so people move in and out pretty quickly.
It is a loop so that makes it even easier to move around .
You are there - it will take less than 30 minutes and the views are worth it.
Parking is limited, but the walk around it doe not take long so people move in and out pretty quickly.
It is a loop so that makes it even easier to move around .
You are there - it will take less than 30 minutes and the views are worth it.
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona G
Adelaide, Australia340 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We stayed in a caravan park at Coles Bay. There is a walking trail on the foreshore which continues and becomes a trail in the national park. There is a visitor centre along the way. The track is good and predominantly flat. Nice views along the way
Written 2 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buddenz
Canberra140 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We stayed here for a few days to do some hiking and to just relax. We arrived at the information centre late and there was information about the available sites. We selected a site (38) as it was more secluded from the road.
The bathroom facilities were as to be expected. Toilet and water, cold showers. We brought the showers that you put in the sun to heat up. They were able to be strung up in the shower stall and once we got back from the wineglass bay walk were very good. The view was lovely. Would stay here again. See pictures for more.
The bathroom facilities were as to be expected. Toilet and water, cold showers. We brought the showers that you put in the sun to heat up. They were able to be strung up in the shower stall and once we got back from the wineglass bay walk were very good. The view was lovely. Would stay here again. See pictures for more.
Written 17 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jason l
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Jan 2012 • Couples
buy food and grog before you head to this wonderland. perhaps stay in bicheno or swansea, and save your coin for the wonderful attractions. wineglass bay and freycinet are undoubtedly stunning, but if i had my time again, i'd be doing 60 through coles bay and wouldnt stop there.
the prices charged by the iga for fuel (about $2.04 a litre) and if you bought bread, eggs, milk, and a bottle of soft drink, change from a pineapple wouldnt buy you a refreshing ale at the local pub.
and finally, the local fish and chip shop (connected to the iga) sells 'fresh fish'. when asked to purchase aforementioned fish to cook at home ouurselves, we were told 'we have fresh fish, cook it and sell it.' ummmm, thanks love, but no thanks.
the prices charged by the iga for fuel (about $2.04 a litre) and if you bought bread, eggs, milk, and a bottle of soft drink, change from a pineapple wouldnt buy you a refreshing ale at the local pub.
and finally, the local fish and chip shop (connected to the iga) sells 'fresh fish'. when asked to purchase aforementioned fish to cook at home ouurselves, we were told 'we have fresh fish, cook it and sell it.' ummmm, thanks love, but no thanks.
Written 18 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdventureSheSaid
Brisbane, Australia224 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
If you have the time, attempt a few sunrises you will not regret it. This are is jam packed with incredible hikes - obviously what you do will depend on ability levels etc but anywhere you end up will be stunning. Something to consider is making the trek outside of season times, we went in August, which was cold but also -empty. We had entire beaches to ourselves most days.
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,213 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
Coles Bay lies at the entrance to Freycinet National Park on the east Coast of Tasmania . Its easily accessible from either Hobart located 202 km north east or 218 km south east of Launceston.
There is plenty of accommodation available from simple camping , B&B's to luxury 5 star resorts. We enjoyed renting a house in Swansea & visiting Freycinet National Park as a day trip which was easily doable as its about 45 minutes' drive from Swansea and around 30 minutes' drive from Bicheno.
Coles Bay is gorgeous with beautiful turquoise water & breathtaking views of The Hazards in the Freycinet National Park. There is a small shopping village with a supermarket, café, newsagent & 24hr ATM.
It's a point to note that Coles Bay became one of the first in the world to ban Plastic shopping bags in April 2003 which it later received the Environmental Excellence Award.
Coles Bay is the gateway into the Freycinet National Park with its stunning views of Wineglass Bay.
There is plenty of accommodation available from simple camping , B&B's to luxury 5 star resorts. We enjoyed renting a house in Swansea & visiting Freycinet National Park as a day trip which was easily doable as its about 45 minutes' drive from Swansea and around 30 minutes' drive from Bicheno.
Coles Bay is gorgeous with beautiful turquoise water & breathtaking views of The Hazards in the Freycinet National Park. There is a small shopping village with a supermarket, café, newsagent & 24hr ATM.
It's a point to note that Coles Bay became one of the first in the world to ban Plastic shopping bags in April 2003 which it later received the Environmental Excellence Award.
Coles Bay is the gateway into the Freycinet National Park with its stunning views of Wineglass Bay.
Written 23 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi , Any suggestion where to stay if the next day going to wineglass bay?
Written 21 September 2019
I plan to visit in Feb with a 1yr old and 3yr old. I won't be able to do long hikes, so can I still see the sites and scenery via car or a short walk (less than 30min)? Is 2 nights enough if we're not hiking? Or should we skip coles bay and stay at bicheno or swansea?
Written 28 January 2018
Definitely go. The beach close by is fantastic for kids to stroll or play in the water. All the necessary amenities close by.
Written 2 February 2018
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