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Cape Tourville
The short and easy walk to the Cape Tourville Lighthouse, located in the Freycinet National Park on the East Coast of Tasmania, rewards you with amazing coastal views and a close-up look at the lighthouse. The Freycinet National Park occupies most of the Freycinet Peninsula and overlooks the Tasman Sea.
At Freycinet National Park, you will see dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches and the iconic Wineglass Bay.
The Cape Tourville walk is one of the 60 Great
Short Walks of Tasmania
The Walk - 20 Minutes - 600-metre Circuit - Grade 1
With remarkable coastal views of Freycinet National Park and a glimpse of Wineglass Bay, this straightforward walk is a great way to experience the Freycinet Peninsula.
The elevated track (600-metre Circuit) is broad with a gentle slope and loops around the lighthouse at Cape Tourville.
The walk starts from the car park at the end of Cape Tourville Road, and you walk past the Short Walks sign along a well-maintained dirt trail through the brush. The trail then reaches the coastline and becomes a wooden boardwalk that runs along the top of the sheer cliffs at the end of Cape Tourville.
Along the boardwalk, you will see an information board pointing out the landmarks in the view to the South. Carp Bay and Sleepy Bay are south of Cape Tourville and divided by a granite point.
You can also see a glimpse of Wineglass Bay, and Mount Graham (579 meters) and Mount Freycinet (620 meters) rise behind Wineglass Bay and are part of the Hazard Mountains that crown the Freycinet Peninsula.
Beyond Wineglass Bay, the coast runs southeast to Cape Forestier, where you’ll spot Lemon Rock, a small island just off the point.
Farther to the east lies a vast expanse of the Tasman Sea. These are migration waters for humpback and southern right whales, so keep an eye out for wildlife. If you time your visit right, you can spot these giant whales and dolphins and seals in the waters below Cape Tourville.
Continue walking along the boardwalk, admiring the Cape Tourville Lighthouse and the beautiful views around you.
You will see a dirt trail to the left, which is the path to Cape Tourville Lighthouse. Cape Tourville Lighthouse is 11 metres high and has a tall white tower with a stone building attached to the base. The unmanned light station was built in 1971 and sits atop Cape Tourville at an elevation of 126 metres.
After viewing the lighthouse, walk back to the boardwalk and continue the circuit. After walking along a short dirt track will reach another viewing platform. With fantastic views over a small cluster of rock islands sitting just off Cape Tourville called The Nuggets.
Rounding the cape even farther, you’ll discover views looking up the coast over more rocky headlands toward the Friendly Beaches north of the Freycinet Peninsula.
Free binoculars are available to look for, the seals on The Nuggets, and lots of great information and interpretive boards along the walk.
There is also the chance to see various sea birds, eagles, whales, seals and dolphins.
The closest toilet, picnic, and electric barbecue facilities are at Ranger Creek and Honeymoon Bay, approximately 7.5 kilometres away.
Notes:
Lovely, easy, flat walk suitable for wheelchairs.
Toilets, picnic tables and BBQs are available at Ranger Creek and Honeymoon Bay. (7.5 kilometres)
.A valid Tasmanian National Park pass is required.
Directions to Freycinet National Park
The park is about 2.5 to 3 hours from either Launceston or Hobart. Turn off the Tasman Highway (A3) onto Coles Bay Road (C302), 12km south of Bicheno. The main park entrance and Freycinet Visitor Centre are accessed by driving straight through the Coles Bay township, 28km from the highway, on a sealed road.
Camping at Freycinet National Park.
We stayed at Friendly Beaches in the Freycinet National Park, a lovely spot right near the beach but protected from the wind by coastal bushes surrounding the campsite. You can stay for a maximum of 14 nights. There are toilets available near the day-use area. Cost for 2 Adults - FREE!
The turn-off is approximately 19km before the Coles Bay township and the main Freycinet National Park entrance.
On a powered site, you can also camp at Richardsons Beach, Honeymoon Bay and Ranger Creek for $16.00 per night. These areas are popular, and you must book with the Visitor Centre.
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