Freycinet Peninsula

Freycinet Peninsula

The Freycinet Peninsula and Schouten Island, as seen from NASA space (false color).
Map showing the location of Freycinet Peninsula
Freycinet Peninsula
Location in Tasmania
Location East Coast Tasmania, Australia
Coordinates 42°12′36″S 148°18′00″E / 42.21000°S 148.30000°E / -42.21000; 148.30000Coordinates: 42°12′36″S 148°18′00″E / 42.21000°S 148.30000°E / -42.21000; 148.30000
Designation Freycinet National Park

The Freycinet Peninsula is a large peninsula located on the eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia. The peninsula is located north of Schouten Island and is contained within the Freycinet National Park.

Features and location

Wineglass Bay: Mount Freycinet (right) and Mount Graham (left) are visible behind

The peninsula is a large, dramatic land formation carved into Tasmania's eastern coastline. Known for its pink granite mountain range, The Hazards, and its sheltered, white sand beaches, the peninsula is the location for Freycinet National Park, the first national park to be declared in Tasmania, along with Mt Field National Park.[1] Also on the peninsula is the village of Coles Bay, the Friendly Beaches Reserve, and Wineglass and Honeymoon bays.

Early history

The Hazards, as seen from Hazards Beach.

The "Vanderlyn Island" was the last sighting of Australia by Abel Tasman in 1642 before turning east to New Zealand.

The first landing by Europeans was by Captain Weatherhead of the transport ship Matilda on 27 July 1791. Due to the narrow northern isthmus, Weatherhead and Tasman mistook it for an island. Nicholas Baudin named the peninsula after French explorer Louis de Freycinet. Baudin also named Cape Baudin, Cape Faure, Cape Forestier and Thouin Bay, although that bay is now known as Wineglass Bay.[2][3]

See also

References

  1. "The wild charm of the peninsula". Freycinet Lodge. Freycinet National Park. 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  2. Freycinet National Park. Tasmap. Tasmania: Department of Primary Industries and Water.
  3. Tench, W (1793). "Chapter XV". A complete account of the settlement at Port Jackson including an accurate description of the colony. London.

Further reading


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