Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay gets $7.2 million tourist boost

Tasmania’s tourism industry will get a significant boost from a $7.2 million upgrade to facilities at the famous Wineglass Bay lookout funded by the Morrison Government, with a second lookout officially opened today.

Visitors to Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park will enjoy spectacular new views of Wineglass Bay thanks to the Morrison Government’s $50 million National Tourism Icons program.

The Morrison Government is funding

• $5.7 million towards a new Visitor Gateway, including transit hub with new road access and car parking, shelter and information area.
• $450,000 for a new Wineglass Bay lookout.
• $400,000 for a foreshore walkway connecting Coles Bay to the National Park.
• $650,000 for an Aboriginal education program and expanding the Discovery Ranger Program.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the upgraded tourist facilities would cement Freycinet as a world-leading tourist attraction.

“Wineglass Bay is one of the Tasmania’s most visited tourist sites, attracting more than 300,000 visitors per year,” Minister Tehan said.

“Our Government’s investment in upgrading the facilities at Freycinet, will improve the tourist experience which will attract more visitors from Australia and internationally. This is good news for Freycinet, and good news for Tasmania and the businesses and jobs supported by tourism.

“We have a launched an advertising blitz to promote local holiday destinations to Australians. We want everyone to start planning and booking a domestic holiday this year to support our local tourism industry so these new facilities at Wineglass Bay will help put Tasmania at the top of the wish list for many people.”

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Assistant Minister for Industry Development Jonno Duniam said the upgrade would help preserve a genuine tourism hotspot for generations to come.

“Wineglass Bay is one of Tasmania’s premier tourist attractions, and it's important the facilities to match the expectations of visitors,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.

“As the state’s economy recovers from the pandemic, it’s project like this that will encourage visitors out of the city centres to explore Tasmania’s beautiful regions, and support our regional communities.”

Minister for Environment and Parks Roger Jaensch said the new lookout would reduce congestion in peak times at the ever-popular Wineglass Bay.

“With visitor numbers steadily starting to increase to the iconic Freycinet National Park following the pandemic, it is so important we have the infrastructure in place to uphold the values of the Peninsular,” said Minister Jaensch.

“This new second lookout was designed to blend into this landscape, and will ease congestion in peak times by providing multiple viewing points for the many people seeking to capture the breathtaking views of Wineglass Bay.”

The project was co-funded through the Federal Government’s National Tourism Icons Program, and the Tasmanian Government’s Tourism Infrastructure in Parks and Improving State-wide Visitor Infrastructure.

The new lookout offers two new viewing platforms with spectacular views of the crystal-clear waters and white beach of Wineglass Bay. Additional space for visitors to snap their holiday pictures will reduce congestion, minimise off-track impacts of over-crowding and preserve the area as a key visitor destination for tourism in Tasmania.

ENDS