Freshwater Lagoon via Coles Bay

Freshwater Lagoon via Coles Bay is a 12.3-mile round-trip out-and-back from Coles Bay Road to the coast beside the lagoon. Allow about 5.5 to 6 hours. The route follows a rough ground track north, with a side trip to Middleton Creek Tinfield before continuing to the coast west of Freshwater Point. It is a remote day walk, not a loop.

The 12.3-mile version includes a roughly 2.9 km out-and-back spur to the tinfield. Skip it and continue to the coast for about 10.5 miles round trip. The spur climbs steeply; the current track surface and wayfinding have not been verified.

The spur climbs to Middleton Creek Tinfield, where the historic plan records connected dams, spillways, tailings and scattered remains of mining machinery and occupation sites. Tin was worked here off and on from 1872; the most recent mechanical mining phase ran from 1972 to 1980. The tinfield is a real side trip, not a separate trailhead.

The track emerges on the coast just west of Freshwater Point. Freshwater Lagoon sits at the southern end of the Friendly Beaches, with pale sand along the water and scrub-covered hills reflected across the lagoon. At the water's edge, frame the pale sand and reflections together; this is the route's clearest signature view.

The documented access is on Coles Bay Road about 1 km north of Coles Bay. No formal parking area, toilets or drinking water were verified, and current access and track condition remain uncertain. Confirm access and legal parking with Parks Tasmania before setting out. A valid Parks Pass is required, and dogs aren't allowed in Tasmania's national parks. A past walk reported little phone coverage, so don't rely on reception.