What are The Hazards in Freycinet National Park?
The Hazards are a chain of pink granite mountains on the Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania. They rise behind Coles Bay and glow pink and orange at sunrise and sunset.
The granite formed about 400 million years ago when molten rock cooled slowly underground. Its pink colour comes from feldspar crystals, while orange lichen adds extra colour to the rock faces.
The range includes Mount Amos, Mount Dove, Mount Mayson and Mount Parsons. The climb up Mount Amos is steep, involving scrambling over smooth granite slabs, and rewards walkers with famous views of Wineglass Bay.
Name and views
The range is often said to be named after Captain Richard Hazard, an African American whaler who worked in the area in the 1800s.
The Hazards dominate the view across Great Oyster Bay from Coles Bay and Swansea.
Walkers should take care, as the granite is slippery when wet.
The full Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach circuit is about 11 kilometres and takes most walkers four to five hours. Sea eagles often soar over the cliffs, and dolphins can sometimes be seen in the bay below. Kayak tours from Coles Bay paddle beneath the mountains for a different view of the granite.
Did You Know?
The Hazards Beach walk links Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach in a popular day loop.