The world is full of beautiful beaches and that's no surprise to anyone. What is a surprise is the fact that there might be one beach, in particular, to rule them all, and it exists in Tasmania. This uniquely shaped beach is one that's well-known by Australian locals and has a name that's equally as unique.
Its shores are filled with pristine white sand that doesn't even look real, and its waters? Even more ethereal. These aquamarine currents barely make an impression on the sand as they're so gentle, another reason it's so hard to believe such a beach actually exists.
For those who are serious about their beaches, there's no way this one should be escaping anyone's bucket list.
The Beach At Wineglass Bay
If there was any question that the beach at Wineglass Bay is the most beautiful in the world, one need only check the official travel reviews. It's perfect in practically every way, and it's only enhanced by the fact that it's part of Freycinet National Park. Its natural beauty aside, the weather in this part of Tasmania is also quite incredible. According to Atlas Obscura, the beach sees at least 300 days of sunshine a year, which means only 65 days of poor weather - those are pretty great odds for the world's most beautiful beach.
In addition to having the title of the most scenic beach shoreline, Freycinet National Park is also the oldest of two parks in Tasmania. Since its founding in 1916, it has become a haven for a myriad of beach activities, some more out-of-the-box than others.
The Unique Appearance Of Wineglass Bay
While the shape of the bay is all Mother Nature's doing, it's also flanked by beautiful pink granite outcroppings. This is what gives the beach its unique shape and structure, and must be fully appreciated from an aerial view to see the full landscape. The western side of this stunning peninsula gives way to remote stretches of beach and shallow, calm waters, while the eastern side features dramatic cliffs, rugged beaches, and hidden coves.
The Intense History Of The Bay
While most people presume that the bay was named due to its unique shape, this is actually not the case. Dating back to 1802, brothers Louis Claude and Louis Henri de Freycinet joined forces with a French explorer named Nicholas Baudin. The three were responsible for mapping out the park as we now know it today, which paved the way for more to arrive. In the 1820s, whalers made their way to Wineglass Bay (before it was named) and as they cleaned and prepared the whales they'd harpooned on the beach, the water in the bay resembled the same color as that of red wine. Thus, the bay was (morbidly) named for the appearance it took on after the whalers came back to clean their catches. While this ended three decades later in the 1850s, the name stuck.
What To Do At Wineglass Bay
Of course, spending a lazy day on the beach is the top thing to do at Wineglass Bay. However, to do so would be to ignore all of the other enticing activities that exist in this pristine environment.
Camping At Coles Bay
At the northern end of the bay, visitors can find the Hazards. Climbing uphill through these will bring them to a beautiful lookout point before a descending climb will bring them to Wineglass Bay from the campground. It could easily be turned into a multi-day excursion thanks to the campsites here, and it's one that's worth doing for those looking to see more of Freycinet National Park.
Bird And Wildlife Watching
This national park is home to native Tasmanian species, including the Brushtail Possum, New Holland Mouse, Long-nosed Potoroo, lack swans, wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, and the Tasmanian Bettong. As far as bird species, visitors can often spot White-bellied Sea Eagles, Back-Cockatoos, and Green Rosellas. An eco-cruise is a great way to see more of the bay and lagoon, and potentially some of its marine life, such as Bottlenose dolphins and Southern Right whales.
Recreational Excursions
Those looking to experience the marine side of things should make the visitor center their first stop. There, one can familiarize themselves with the layout of Wineglass Bay; bathrooms, electric BBQs, picnic tables, and fresh water can also be found here. From this point, visitors can do any number of things, including:
- Sea kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Rock climbing
- Scuba diving
- Deep-sea fishing
- Go on quad tours
- Book a helicopter flight tour
No matter how one plans to enjoy the landscape at Wineglass Bay, there's no wrong way to experience it. With so much to do and such a tranquil setting in which to do it, it's a worthy trip.