On Tour: Wineglass Bay Cruises

As we boarded Wineglass Bay Cruises’ boat for our four hour cruise around Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula my travelling companion had one major wish – to see albatrosses.

She politely explained that wish to our captain and by the end of the cruise he had delivered many times over and she knew all about albatrosses.

Having access to the captain on the bridge was one of several advantages of our decision to pay a little more for our cruise.

Like many tour operators we came across during our Tasmanian trip, Wineglass Bay Cruises offers two classes of travel – Vista Lounge and Sky Lounge. Only Sky Lounge passengers can access the bridge.

Extra food is another advantage of the Sky Lounge. While a Bento ploughman lunch is included in the cost of the cruise in both classes, Sky Lounge passengers also receive morning tea and freshly shucked oysters with their lunch. All drinks, including Tasmanian wines, beers and ciders are free while Vista Lounge passengers need to purchase their drinks.

The Sky Lounge is also far smaller catering for around 30 guests as opposed to the Vista Lounge which caters for over 100.  Furthermore no children are allowed in Sky Lounge.

Both lounges offer wonderful sightseeing opportunities thanks to large floor to ceiling windows and outdoor viewing areas – two around the Vista Lounge and one outside the Sky Lounge.

While watching and learning all about albatrosses and the other wildlife we saw was the highlight of the cruise for my companion, for others it was the beauty of the Freycinet Peninsula coast.

The design of the company’s boat, The Schouten Passage 11, allows the captain to get very close to huge cliff faces and deep caves and into small bays which are features of the coast.  Informative commentary ensured we knew exactly what we were seeing, including geological facts and any relevant history.

And most importantly we experienced the beauty of Wineglass Bay without exerting the energy needed to undertake the 2.5 hour walk from the Freycinet National Park carpark!

Sadly it was rather overcast during the time we spent anchored here enjoying lunch. However it’s easy to see why on a sunny day it is such a popular destination.

While the sun was missing during most of our cruise so, fortunately, was the wind. It seems the cruise can get a little rough, hence the suggestion of the company’s reception staff we take complimentary ginger tablets.

Luckily no one was sea sick during the cruise but the customer service and care shown by these staff was also evident on our cruise. Nothing seemed too much trouble for crew members including the captain who happy answered the many questions he received about albatrosses!

A Wineglass Bay Cruise in the Vista Lounge costs $150 from adults and $95 for children 4 to 14.  Sky Lounge cruises cost from $220 for adults. For more information visit Wineglass Bay Cruises.

Visit travelswithjb.com.au-tasmania for more Tasmanian reviews.