Tasmania provides fantastic year-round paddling, exploring the spectacular coastline, pristine beaches, expansive lakes and river systems and the breathtaking coastal wilderness. Nature may be beautiful and inspiring, but it is not always gentle – sea conditions can change quickly. As such, unguided sea kayak rentals are suited to experienced and confident paddlers who understand sea conditions and how to manage risks. Freycinet Adventures also offer the unique service of guided rentals for those with less experience who want to explore for a number of days and benefit from the knowledge and experience of an accompanying guide. Rental kayaks come comprehensively equipped with safety equipment, local information and weather forecast. Kayaks are chosen for their ease of paddling, stability in a variety of conditions and carrying capacity. Rental Features - Single and double sea kayaks
- Safety equipment and maps
- Equipment briefing
- Equipment hire
- Minimum group size - 2
(We do not hire to solo paddlers - they do not have to have hired a kayak but you must be paddling with at least one other person )
Rental Inclusions The following is provided per person:- Single / double kayak
- spray deck
- personal flotation device
- paddle
The following is provided to each group: - bilge pump/s
- flares
- spare paddle
- waterproof map
- weather forecast
Freedom / Unguided Rentals need to provide: - Own clothing, food, water, National Park fees and camping equipment
- A mobile or satellite phone is highly recommended for emergency communication. Please check the coverage for your network – e.g. the western coast of the Freycinet Peninsula provides good coverage for Telstra Mobilenet and CDMA only (as at May 06).
Rental Prices The prices below are per person (pp) per day and include gst. | Rental Period | 1-3 Days | 4+ Days | Sea kayak
- single
- double | $55pp per day | $50pp per day | Dry bags
Spray jackets | $5
per item | $10
per item | Tents
Sleeping Bag
Self inflating mat | $15pp
per day
for set | $10pp
per day
for set | | Accompanying guide | $250
per day | $250
per day |
Freedom Rental - General ConditionsResponsibilities and Challenges Sea Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the coastline – it is the ultimate in minimal impact; silent and pollution free. The peace and tranquility experienced in a sea kayak enables you to feel at one with your surroundings. Yet, sea kayaking also involves risk. Nature may be beautiful and inspiring, but it is not always gentle – dangerous sea conditions can develop quickly. Paddlers need to understand sea and weather conditions and be able to consider the groups paddling skill and ability before setting out. Skills and Experience Required Sea kayaking is a magical experience which to be done safely requires a combination of understanding, planning and technical skill. Freycinet Adventures requires the following of its Unguided Rental participants: **Please note: You may be required to provide a practical demonstration of your paddling and rescue skills – unguided rentals only – prior to hiring. Freycinet & Strahan Adventures reserves the right to refuse rental clients and/or limit the areas in which rental clients can paddle.
Day HiresDay Hires are outfitted with either double or single kayaks. We also encourage day hires to remain within the Coles Bay area for the duration of their trip. Multi Day HiresMulti Day hires are outfitted with either double or single kayaks, these kayaks also feature storage hatches and secure deck lines for securing gear and supplie Additional Fee’s National Park entry pass is required when entering the Freycinet National Park. Please contact Parks and Wildlife Tasmania for current rates. As at 1/2/07: 24hr single person pass $10; Holiday Pass (8 wks) $30
24hr vehicle pass $20; Route SuggestionsWhile a map is provided during your rental, we highly recommend the Freycinet National Park 1:50 000 map to assist you in your trip planning and during your adventure. 2 Day Itinerary Day 1: Coles Bay to Hazards Beach. Afternoon walk to Wineglass Bay. Overnight camp at Hazards Beach. Day 2: Return to Coles Bay*
3 Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Coles Bay to Cooks Beach, overnight camp. Day 2: Return walk to Bryan’s Beach, overnight again at Cooks Beach or Hazards Beach. Day 3: Return to Coles Bay* 3+ Day Itineraries Day 1: Coles Bay to Cooks Beach Day 2: Full day hike up Mt Freycinet Day 3: Return to Coles Bay* orDay 1: Coles Bay to Cooks Beach Day 2: Cooks Beach to Schouten Island Day 3: Schouten Island Day 4: Schouten Island to Cooks / Hazards Beach Day 5: Return to Coles Bay *The typical sea breeze experienced in the area is a north easterly – as such it is recommended to return around the headlands into Coles Bay before lunchtime to avoid the strongest breeze. You can then spend the remainder of your time exploring the many coves and beaches of the Coles Bay coastline. Frequently Asked Questions How far can we paddle? Paddling distance is determined by weather conditions, paddler’s experience and fitness. As a rule of thumb 5km hour is a leisurely paddling pace. 10-15km can be considered an comfortable amount of paddling for one day. Kayaking is not permitted on the eastern side of the Freycinet Peninsula, without permission of Freycinet Adventures. How much gear can we take? Double kayaks have storage for approximately two backpacks-worth of gear. Single kayaks can fit the equivalent of 1½ backpacks-worth of gear. Given the shape and size of the compartments, several small bags are preferable to one or two large ones. What is the weather like? The weather in Tasmania is varied. Be prepared for all extremes – including sun, rain, wind and cold. During December to February the average daily temperature is around 25o Celsius. During these months a daily sea breeze of an average 15 knots is typically experienced – the direction varies around the state. E.g. the Freycinet Peninsula experiences a north-east sea breeze (offshore on the western-side of the Peninsula). During the remainder of the year air temperatures are cooler (frosts are experienced in winter), hours of daylight shorter and sea breeze less prominent. What is the water temperature? May vary from 12 degrees Celsius in the winter months to 18 degrees in the summer months. What facilities are there? Facilities available in Coles Bay include: - accommodation and camping
- grocery stores, post office, bakery, tavern
- petrol stations, restaurants, take away
- Parks & Wildlife Service office (03) 6256 7000.
There are several designated campsites on the Freycinet Peninsula that are managed by Parks & Wildlife. Facilities are limited to a basic bush toilet. The Freycinet Peninsula can be very dry and as such the availability of water is often limited. It is recommended to take sufficient water with you to last your trip. | 
