One of the things I've learnt about free camping in Australia is that if you want a good spot, you have to arrive by lunchtime. Most people have left for day and are yet to arrive. I usually wake up predawn, so get a lot done before moving to the next spot. This time I'm at Friendly Beaches, just at the gateway to the extraordinarily beautiful Freycinet National Park. More on this later - I'll be returning with Jamie next week to do a big walk here.
The camp spots are great - neat bays surrounded by natural hedges to shelter from the wind. Mine is so big that later I'll invite a couple in from Nova Scotia who don't have anywhere to camp as they arrive late.
The beaches are beautiful. You do have to share them with birds who nest all along the shore, but hey, there's plenty of space.
In the morning I wake up early, like pre dawn, and make my way toward the end of the Peninsula to watch the sunset from a gorgeous little beach called Sleepy Beach.
It's an incredible little spot and there's no one around so I hazard a swim in the creek. It's freezing but invigorating.
I also walk around the lighthouse, but there's enough there for another post. After that I wonder and wander around a few other coves and beaches, agog with the natural beauty, and also find this amazing mushroom, twice as big as my hand!
At Coles Bay I think about paddle boarding as the quiet bay where the boats are moored is crystal clean and clear and there's not a drop of wind. There's a post office, supermarket, and a couple of other shops. I go to order a coffee but it's a half hour wait, so decide to head off on the inkling there's surf down the coast - and boy am I right!
Have you been to the Freycinet Peninsula?
I'll be returning there soon to walk to the famous Wineglass Bay. Prepare to be amazed!
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