Things to Do in Coles Bay and Freycinet When It Rains

East Coast weather changes quickly, and a wet morning often clears by the afternoon. If the rain sets in, Freycinet still has plenty to fill the day, much of it involving good food, local wine and a warm fire.

1. Settle in by the fire at the cellar door

Kitty's Mistake, the cellar door at Wineglass Bay Estate, sits in a barn on the shore of Moulting Lagoon, with six-metre ceilings and a fire. Order a glass of Kitty's Mistake and a cheese platter and watch the weather roll across the water. Open daily from 12pm to 5.30pm, and walk-ins are welcome. Visit the cellar door →

2. Make lunch last at WADE

WADE cooks over an Argentine asado grill in the same barn. Lunch runs from 12pm to 3pm, seven days. Book ahead on wet days, when everyone has the same idea.

3. Eat oysters straight from the farm

Freycinet Marine Farm on Coles Bay Road serves oysters and mussels grown in the waters nearby. Rain doesn't make them any less fresh.

4. Go birdwatching on Moulting Lagoon

Moulting Lagoon is a Ramsar-listed wetland, home to black swans and many other waterbirds. Grey days are often good for birdwatching. Read our guide to Moulting Lagoon.

5. Meet Tasmanian devils near Bicheno

Natureworld, five minutes north of Bicheno, is a good wet-weather option with devils, wombats and other native wildlife. After dark, penguin tours run in Bicheno every night.

6. Walk anyway, with the right gear

Light rain needn't stop you walking. Bring a good rain jacket and sturdy shoes, and take care on the granite steps, which get slippery when wet. Check conditions with Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania before you set out.

A rainy day is a good day to stay in

At Wineglass Bay Estate, every retreat has a king bed, a stargazer window and views across the water, so watching the weather from bed is no hardship. Book your stay →