Well, not drinking drinking in Wineglass Bay… I mean the kind you do with your eyes, not your mouth. Maybe that sounds less exciting, but wait until you see views of the bay itself.

Let’s start with the beginning of my day-long tour with Tours Tasmania. We depart from Hobart around dawn to head up the coast towards Freycinet National Park. Around mid-morning we pause to admire Maria Island covered in clouds just across the way. Our guide  tells us there’s only one car on the island, belonging to the ranger. “So if you want to check out the highlights, be prepared to walk,” she warns. I suggest we just make nice with the ranger and take it from there.

Here’s a shot I snap out the van window.

Several hours later we are in Freycinet! Our guide explains how the area is named after French explorer Louis de Freycinet.

I see you, Mr. Wallaby!

Signage in the car park of Wineglass Bay. It’s a short hike to the look-out point.

A fellow passenger poses with a wallaby.

This one is quite people-friendly.

We hike up to the look-out. It takes about 20 minutes.

Here’s a shot from my Instagram feed (username = AsHerWorldTurns):

Pretty, right?

So there’s an unfortunately sobering backstory which explains how this bay got its particular name, and sadly it has nothing to do with merlot or sauvignon blanc. At one point in history many whales were slaughtered in this body of water and the blood from their carcasses filled the bay, making it appear like a glass of red wine. I am so sorry to relay that imagery.

Here’s our silly group for the day. We have a blast.

Next we visit Honeymoon Bay for our picnic lunch.

This is Cape Tourville lookout with lighthouse.

This is a clever display which shows the length of various sea creatures. My fellow passengers lay down to see how they stack up to seals, dolphins, and whales.

Our next stop is Sleepy Bay marked by red and pink granite formations that look like the Bay of Fires, another famous beach in Tasmania. I’m disappointed that I won’t have time to visit the Bay of Fires on this trip, but seeing Sleepy Bay is a close second.

Our afternoon highlight is Kate’s Berry Farm, where we stop to enjoy homemade ice cream and candies. This place is heaven.

I sample a few of the ice cream flavors — boysenberry and raspberry.

All of the treats are made on-site.

I try one coconut ice and one dark chocolate salted carmel. I am drooling just thinking about it now.

Kate (who we actually saw behind the counter) also makes outstanding fruit pies. I’m only sorry there isn’t enough time for me to try EVERY dessert in sight.

Cute decor. I am a fan.

We head back to Hobart as the sun begins to set. Our guide stops briefly at an old bridge (there’s a backstory about a local man who appealed to the government to send convicts to build a new bridge. He was denied until a government official came out to visit, got stuck, and immediately approved the bridge request.

A few final shots before sunset.

Tomorrow I’ll share my final batch of photos from Tasmania — taken during my time in Tassie’s two largest cities, Hobart and Launceston.

Many thanks to Tours Tasmania for hosting my day-long trip to Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay. Opinions are my own.