During our three months travelling around Tasmania, we managed to tackle a lot of incredible adventures here.
One of our absolute highlights was the Mt Amos hike in Freycinet National Park.
We’d heard a lot about this walk (our local mate even told us it was his favourite short hike in all of Tasmania), so when we started driving our way down the east coast we made sure to lock in a couple of days here to do the climb.
Not for the fainthearted, the Mt Amos climb is a short yet steep rock trail that navigates its way up polished granite boulders, through native bush and onto the summit, where hikers are rewarded with panoramic views over Wineglass Bay and the southern section of the Hazards Mountains on the east coast of Tassie.
We knew the vistas would be incredible, especially if we got good weather, so we decided to take the challenge of climbing Mt Amos for sunrise.
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Mount Amos Hike, Freycinet National Park
- Time: 3 hours
- Distance: 3.6km return
- Difficulty: Moderate (Not safe in wet weather)
Our alarm went off at 3:45am, and despite the freezing weather and darkness, we got dressed in our hiking gear and headed to the base of Mount Amos.
Leaving the van in the car park, we grabbed our cameras, some water, headlamps, extra layers and started the Mount Amos hike.
The trail started out quite easy, and with the beams from our head torches illuminating the path, we pushed through bushland before gaining altitude.
Soon enough we hit the first granite section, and following the reflective yellow markers on the rock slabs, we traversed across and up the boulders.
At times we found ourselves almost on all fours, struggling to grip to the granite rock slabs in the early morning mist.
READ MORE: Looking for more hikes in Tasmania? Don’t miss our comprehensive guide to hiking the Overland Track in Cradle Mountain National Park!
The sky was dark and visibility low, so we took our time walking the slippery Mount Amos track.
As we neared the summit the bushes became more dense and the wind picked up in ferocity.
With a final push we crawled over the final boulders and reached the Mount Amos peak in just over an hour.
The wind was harsh, cutting right to the skin in the freezing temperatures, and we found shelter under a large rock while we waited for the sun to come up.
There were a few early risers up there already, all photographers, and as the landscape began to light up below us we all snapped away.
The sun peaking over the horizon, casting its golden rays across the glistening sea of Wineglass Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula below us was a sight to behold.
The Mount Amos view was every bit as magical as we had could have hoped, and we’d go so far to say as it might be one of the most stunning coastal vistas in all of Australia.
Don’t believe us? Check out our video of the Mount Amos hike below!
Once we had captured all of our photos of Wineglass Bay below us we began the climb back down.
It was only then, in the light of day, that we could see what we had ascended a few hours earlier.
The granite mountains of Mount Amos are bare and steep, and one wrong move could potentially send a weary hiker dozens of metres straight down.
We took our time on the descent, making sure our feet were properly anchored on each step.
It was just under an hour to get back to the car park, where we said goodbye to some new friends we met on the way down and headed down to the beach to make coffee.
The incredible Mount Amos hike was without a doubt one of our top things to do in Tasmania, and we’re so glad we did the walk for sunrise.
If you’re looking for a true adventurous experience with epic reward on a limited timeframe, you can’t go past climbing Mount Amos in Freycinet National Park.
Mount Amos Trail Conditions
Despite only being a short trail at 3 hours return, including time at the summit, the Mount Amos hike is quite challenging thanks to the slippery and steep terrain.
Parks Tasmania classify the Mount Amos track as Grade 4, just below the Cradle Mountain summit hike, and is only recommended for people with bushwalking experience.
In bad weather the Mount Amos hike would be very dangerous, bordering impossible, as the granite rock slabs lose all grip with the slightest hint of moisture.
Under no circumstance should you attempt to climb Mount Amos in wet conditions.
If it has rained the day before, or there is rain in the forecast, skip this Mt Amos and instead consider the Wineglass Bay walk in Freycinet National Park (which we also have an awesome guide about).
There are yellow reflector markers to guide you up the mountain, and these are easy enough to follow, even in the dark.
There are a few sections where you will be rock scrambling on all fours.
The track to the Mount Amos summit is steep and strenuous, but when you get to the top the panoramic views are worth it. Just take your time and be cautious.
There are no facilities on the Mount Amos hike. We recommend going to the toilet in the car park before hiking Mount Amos.
Remember that this isn’t the Wineglass Bay Lookout in Freycinet National Park, but the vistas are even better.
What You Need to Bring for the Mt Amos Hike
It’s only a few hour’s walk and leaves straight from the carpark, so you don’t need to bring a lot of things when hiking Mount Amos.
Here is what we recommend to pack for the Mount Amos summit walk.
- Comfortable day pack
- Supportive and grippy walking shoes or hiking shoes (no thongs)
- Comfortable walking clothing, pants/shorts and a shirt
- Water (at least 1.5 litres per person)
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Snacks or lunch
- Fleece if doing sunrise
- Rain jacket (just in case)
- Camera
Getting to Mount Amos in Freycinet National Park
Mount Amos is located in Freycinet National Park on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia.
If you’re flying into Tassie, it’s about 3-4 hours driving from either Hobart or Launceston to get to the Freycinet Peninsula.
You can access the National Park via the Tasman Highway (A3) towards Bicheno and turn-off onto the Coles Bay Road (C302) to Coles Bay.
As this is a popular tourist destination for many people heading to the top places to visit in Tasmania, there are signs along the way to direct you to Mt Amos.
For the Freycinet National Park entrance you drive through the town of Coles Bay to get to the Freycinet Visitor Centre.
Once you have your National Parks Pass, drive another 3.3km to get to the car park for the Mt Amos Track. It’s the same place the Wineglass Bay Walk leaves from.
The road is sealed the whole way from the Tasman Highway, right through Coles Bay and into the Freycinet Peninsula.
Please drive with caution as there are a lot of native animals on the road, especially at dawn or dusk.
If you do not have your own car there are guided tours from Hobart that head out to Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay too.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars, which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Where to Stay in Freycinet National Park
The Freycinet Peninsula has limited accommodation options, so make sure you book ahead if you want to stay in the national park.
Accommodation in Freycinet National Park
Accommodation in the Freycinet National Park and Coles Bay ranges from budget to luxury, but even if you go the cheapest options you’ll still be paying more than most places in Tasmania.
Here are our recommendations for this section of Tasmania’s national parks. Remember to pre-book online as far ahead as possible, especially in the summer.
Budget
Definitely check out the BIG4 Iluka Holiday Centre for the best value in town.
Mid-Range
Our personal favourites for couples and families are Acacia Cottage and Mayson Holiday House.
Luxury
If you want to stay in the absolute best resort in the area, and one of the best in Australia, then you’ll need to check out Saffire Freycinet.
Camping in Freycinet
There are a few options for camping in the area but you need to get in quick.
As this is a popular destination campsites can book up and you may find yourself struggling to sleep the night somewhere.
The national park campground, located behind the Freycinet Visitor Centre, has limited powered sites.
Ring the information centre on (03) 6256 7000 or email freycinet@parks.tas.gov.au to make a booking.
Check out our guide on camping in Tasmania while you’re in the state.
Camping in Coles Bay
You have a few options in Coles Bay but you may have to pay or get there early or outside peak season for the free camps.
The Freycinet Golf Club is $10 per night with a flushing toilet at the nearby clubhouse. Self-contained vans only.
The River and Rocks Campground is free and found at the entrance of Moulting Lagoon.
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1 thought on “The Ultimate Guide to the Mt Amos Hike in Tasmania (2024)”
Wow, this guide is incredibly detailed and helpful! I’m planning to hike Mt Amos in a few weeks and this has given me all the information I need to know. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!