From Coles Bay: Wineglass Bay Cruise with Lunch

The best thing about this cruise is that it shows you Wineglass Bay from the water, where the full sweep of Freycinet’s cliffs, beaches, caves, and headlands comes into view. Instead of hiking to one lookout and seeing one angle, you spend 270 minutes moving along the coast, with the scenery changing every few minutes.

I like the crew’s strong wildlife focus, especially the way they keep watch for dolphins, seals, whales, albatross, and sea eagles. I also like the simple Ploughman’s lunch, which gives you a proper meal without interrupting the sightseeing. The main consideration is the weather: Tasmanian conditions can change quickly, and rough seas may alter the route or make the ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

The cruise at a glance

• Wineglass Bay by boat: See the famous beach, Hazards mountain range, granite cliffs, and coves from an angle you cannot get from the road or walking trails.
• Wildlife is a central part of the trip: Dolphins, fur seals, whales, penguins, albatross, sea eagles, and other birds may appear along the coast.
• Captain Noah and the crew: Commentary covers local wildlife, geology, landmarks, and history, with crew members often helping passengers find the best viewing spots.
• A useful four-and-a-half-hour outing: The cruise is long enough to reach the main sights without feeling like a rushed harbour trip.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: You receive a Bento box-style Ploughman’s lunch, while coffee, soft drinks, and other beverages are available at the onboard bars.
• Comfortable facilities onboard: The vessel has indoor seating, floor-to-ceiling windows, viewing decks, toilets, heating, air-conditioning, and baby-changing facilities.

Leaving Coles Bay aboard Schouten Passage II

You check in with Wineglass Bay Cruises at the corner of Jetty Road and the Esplanade in Coles Bay. This is not a Hobart day trip with a coach transfer. You need to arrange your own transport to Freycinet National Park, which is roughly two and a half to three hours from Hobart by car.

That distance matters. If you are staying in Hobart, the cruise works best as part of a wider east coast trip rather than as a quick side excursion. Staying near Coles Bay, Swansea, or another nearby town makes the morning far easier and leaves you more time to enjoy Freycinet before or after the boat trip.

The vessel, Schouten Passage II, is built for sightseeing rather than bare-bones transport. You can sit inside in the Vista Lounge behind large windows, or move out to the viewing decks when the weather allows. Both levels have seating, toilets, heating, and air-conditioning, so you have somewhere to retreat when the wind picks up.

For the best experience, bring warm layers even in summer. Flat, comfortable shoes are sensible because you may be moving around the boat and need a steady footing on deck. The crew takes safety seriously, including reminders to keep three points of contact when walking around in choppier conditions.

Following Freycinet’s granite coast

Once you leave Coles Bay, the cruise follows the edge of Freycinet National Park. The first reward is the scale of the coastline. Granite cliffs rise from the sea, with colours and markings that are easy to miss from land. A cruise gives you time to look straight up at the rock faces and then back toward the beaches and wooded slopes.

The route includes sea caves, coves, rocky points, and beaches tucked into the coast. The crew points out local landmarks and explains how the rock formations and shoreline fit together. The commentary is designed to add context without filling every quiet moment with talk. That balance is useful: you learn what you are seeing, then get time to simply watch the water.

The scenery can change sharply with the weather. On a clear day, the water may look bright turquoise and the granite edges appear crisp. In mist or rain, waterfalls become more noticeable and the cliffs take on a softer, moodier look. One of the pleasures of this trip is that a grey day does not automatically ruin it, although strong wind and swell can affect the route.

Wineglass Bay from the sea

Wineglass Bay is the main goal, and the view from the boat is different from the famous land lookout. From the water, you see the curve of the beach set between the granite headlands, with the surrounding Hazards range rising behind it. The boat gives you a broad view rather than the single framed scene you get from a lookout platform.

Lunch is served onboard, with Wineglass Bay providing the setting. The meal is a Bento box-style Ploughman’s lunch, usually built around meat, cheeses, bread, and accompanying items, with Tasmanian products included. It is not a restaurant meal, but it is more substantial and more thoughtfully prepared than a snack box.

I would call the lunch a strong part of the value, especially since you can eat while looking out over one of Tasmania’s most famous beaches. A few people may find the meat portion light, but the general meal includes a good mix of savoury items and has been praised for freshness and taste. If you have dietary needs, tell the operator in advance. Dietary requirements have been catered for on past trips.

Drinks are extra. The vessel has fully stocked bars, and coffee and other beverages can be purchased onboard. Prices for drinks have been described as reasonable, but you should still allow for that additional cost if you want more than the included lunch.

Wildlife watching along the Tasmanian coast

Wildlife is never guaranteed, but it is one of the best reasons to choose the cruise. The open water and rocky islands create good places to watch for marine life, and the crew actively scans the coast rather than leaving you to spot everything alone.

Dolphins are a frequent highlight when conditions cooperate. They may travel near the boat or circle it, and a large pod can turn an ordinary stretch of ocean into the most memorable part of the trip. Fur seals are another common sight, especially around rocky islands where they rest, argue, or slip into the water.

Whales can appear at various times of year. Sightings have included humpback whales and whales breaching at a distance. You should treat a whale sighting as a bonus, not a promise. The same applies to penguins, albatross, sea eagles, gannets, and other seabirds.

The crew’s approach is careful and respectful. Captain Noah has been praised for explaining even small natural details, including lichen, while keeping the boat at a responsible distance from animals. That makes the trip more than a photo hunt. You get a better sense of how the coast works as a living place, not just a pretty backdrop.

Bring patience and keep watching after the obvious landmark has passed. Wildlife often appears when the boat is moving between the main stops. A camera with a zoom lens can help, but you may also prefer to keep your eyes up rather than spend the whole cruise looking at a screen.

Commentary from Captain Noah and the crew

The live commentary is in English and covers local landmarks, wildlife, geology, and the area’s past. The quality of the guiding is a major strength of this outing. Captain Noah has received particular praise for combining information with humour, while other crew members spend time on the front deck helping people identify wildlife and answer questions.

The commentary is not simply a recorded description of the coast. The crew adjusts what they discuss to the conditions and what appears in front of the boat. If dolphins arrive, the focus shifts to the animals. If the sea is rough, safety and movement around the vessel become more important.

That human element makes a difference on a long cruise. You can ask questions, move between viewing areas, and get help if you are unsure where to look. The young crew has also been praised for being attentive to passengers who feel unwell or need help moving around.

Comfort, seating, and accessibility

You are not required to stay outside for four and a half hours. The Vista Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows, which are useful when the wind is cold or the sea is lively. Outside decks offer better photographs and a stronger sense of the coastline, but indoor seating is a real advantage in changeable weather.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and staff have provided especially careful assistance to passengers using wheelchairs. If you have mobility needs, contact the operator before booking so the crew can prepare for your situation. The boat also has baby-changing facilities.

Families can use the general seating areas, but the Sky Lounge is for adults aged 18 and over. Infants can join the cruise, though lunch is not included for them. A four-year-old has enjoyed the trip in the past, but the length of the cruise and the possibility of rough water are worth considering with very young children.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit toward the centre of the boat and use the indoor areas when the sea becomes rough. The crew is attentive to passengers with unsettled stomachs, but no boat can guarantee smooth water. Wind and swell are part of the real coastal experience.

What the $141 price includes

At $141 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing boat, but it is more than a short ride to a single viewpoint. The price includes the 270-minute cruise, onboard commentary, access to indoor and outdoor viewing areas, and a Ploughman’s lunch.

The value is strongest if you want several experiences in one outing: a coastal tour, a wildlife search, a guided look at Freycinet’s geology and history, and lunch with Wineglass Bay in view. You also avoid arranging separate transport by water or trying to fit several coastal viewpoints into a short visit.

The price is less appealing if you only want a quick look at Wineglass Bay or dislike spending several hours at sea. You will also need to budget for drinks and your own transport to Coles Bay. There are no concession prices for students or seniors.

A fair way to judge the cost is to compare it with what you would otherwise pay for a shorter boat ride plus a meal and a guided visit. The cruise covers a large section of coast, and the wildlife opportunities add real value when conditions are favourable.

Weather, route changes, and the need for flexibility

Freycinet’s weather can be changeable at any time of year. Sunny conditions can shift to rain, mist, wind, or a noticeable swell. Pack a warm layer, even if the morning looks mild, and choose shoes that are comfortable and flat.

The cruise is subject to weather and availability. The boat may take an alternative route when conditions prevent it from reaching Wineglass Bay. That can be disappointing if the bay is your main reason for booking, but an alternative route may bring better wildlife sightings or calmer water.

One trip that could not reach Wineglass Bay instead travelled around Oyster Bay and included dolphins, seals, gannets, albatross, and an eagle. Another alternative route produced close dolphin encounters and views of an island covered with fur seals. The scenery and wildlife can still make a changed itinerary worthwhile, but you should book with an open mind.

If the forecast is poor, check the operator’s advice rather than assuming the cruise will run exactly as planned. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Christmas Day is excluded from the available options.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want the broadest possible introduction to Freycinet without committing to a full day of hiking. It suits couples, families with older children, photographers, wildlife fans, and anyone who prefers seeing a national park from the water.

It is also a good choice for people who value guiding. The crew does not just point out Wineglass Bay. They explain the cliffs, animals, birds, landmarks, and local history, which gives the scenery more meaning.

The cruise is less suitable if you need a guaranteed visit to Wineglass Bay, cannot tolerate a potentially choppy sea, or have only a short window in the area. It also requires more planning than a tour with Hobart pickup because you must reach Coles Bay yourself.

Should you book the Wineglass Bay Cruise?

Yes, if you are already staying near Freycinet and want a polished, informative way to see the coast. The strongest reasons are the wide views from the water, the active wildlife spotting, the helpful crew, and the included lunch.

Book with flexibility about the route and weather. Wineglass Bay is beautiful, but dolphins, seals, whales, caves, waterfalls, and changing light may become the unexpected highlights. For a four-and-a-half-hour cruise at $141, that mix makes the outing good value for a first visit to Freycinet.

FAQ

Where does the Wineglass Bay Cruise depart from?

Check in at 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. The meeting point is approximately a two-and-a-half to three-hour drive from Hobart.

Is lunch included in the price?

Yes. The cruise includes a Bento box-style Ploughman’s lunch. Lunch is not included for infants.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase from the onboard bars.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The cruise is wheelchair accessible, and seating, toilets, heating, and air-conditioning are available on both levels.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable flat shoes and warm clothing. Tasmanian weather can change quickly, and conditions may be colder on the water.

What happens if the weather prevents the boat from reaching Wineglass Bay?

The cruise is subject to weather conditions. If the planned route cannot be taken, an alternative route may be used. You may still see wildlife, cliffs, caves, beaches, and other coastal scenery.