~ news and upcoming events ~

Snake alert! The early warm weather has brought out the snakes early this year - active since September - so remember to wear gaiters, keep an eye out and allow snakes to move away: keep your distance and never annoy them, stomp on the ground and they will wake up and move away from you in time.

~ Celebrating 90 years of National Park in 2006 ~

Tasmanians are being invited to help celebrate 90 years since Freycinet became the State's first national park. Freycinet activities are scheduled to run from Saturday 26th to Tuesday 29th August, with free entry and activities on Sunday 27th. Camping will be free for WildCare members.

Saturday 26 August
• 3pm ‘Tales of Whales and Shipwrecks’ (meet at Cape Tourville carpark)
• 5:30pm ‘The History of Freycinet’ slide show (outdoor theatre)
• 7:30pm ‘Great Freycinet Quiz Night and Birthday Dinner’
(Illuka Tavern, Coles Bay. Choose from the bistro menu)
RSVP 18 August Ph. 6256 7000
 
Sunday 27 August
• 10am to 3pm Family walks and talks (all commence at visitor centre)
FREE park entry Sunday 27 August!
 
Monday 28 August
• Enjoy the natural peace and quiet of winter at Wineglass Bay, the Friendly Beaches, Sleepy Bay, Hazards Beach and Honeymoon Bay
 
Tuesday 29 August - Happy Birthday Freycinet National Park
• 10am to noon Plant a birthday tree in the park (meet at the visitor centre)
• 3pm to 5pm Walk a section of the new Wineglass Bay lookout track. Take a look at how a track is created. Sturdy shoes necessary and be prepared to walk off track (meet at Wineglass Bay carpark)
• 5pm ‘Sunset Sausage Sizzle’ at the start of the new track (Wineglass Bay carpark)

~ Annual Summer Ranger Program ~

Activities, including slide shows, various guided walks offered each week and children's activities are conducted by the annual Summer Ranger Program, running for approximately 8 weeks commencing mid December.

~ More commercial developments ~

The State Labor government has approved more commercial development (not nearby on private land, but) within the National Park. With one luxury hotel complex already invaded into the National Park, there is set to be more precious public land in its natural state given over to defilement by profiteers - not only land for a hotel site, but also for two dam sites and associated facilities.

~ Trackworks ~

Work has commenced to upgrade, harden and reroute some of the Wineglass Bay Lookout track. This will include diversion and a bifurcated loop section, designed for increasing visitor numbers, but leading to more widespread impacts and loss of natural habitat.

~ Roadworks ~

The Wineglass Bay trackhead carpark has been enlarged and sealed. This work was completed in recent months, and is intended to cater for already increased visitor numbers and some future growth.