The Freycinet Experience Walk was established in 1992 by former town planner Joan Masterman. Together with architect Ken Latona, Joan was instrumental in setting up Tasmania’s first hut-based guided walk along the famous Overland Track in 1987. That background laid the groundwork for the establishment of Friendly Beaches Lodge and the creation of The Freycinet Experience Walk. Joan is deeply committed to caring for the environment and is still involved in every aspect of operating the walk and the lodge. 

Along with the spectacular natural setting of the Freycinet Pensinsula and the award winning architecturally designed lodge, the quality of the friendly and knowledgeable staff at the Freycinet Experience Walk is what makes this an outstanding walking experience. Joan hand picks her team and guests are delighted with the intelligent and enthusiastic group that has she has gathered together.

We are proud members of both the Great Walks of Australia and Great Walks of Tasmania.

Joan Masterman’s passion for the arts has seen her build up a collection of prominent Tasmanian artists at Friendly Beaches Lodge. Each year adding a new piece to the eclectic mix, influenced by the natural beauty of the environment in which the lodge and collection reside. After a days walking guests can return to Friendly Beaches to contemplate works by Richard Wastell, Helen Wright, Kerry Gregan, Barbie Kjar, Tim Burns, Sally Curry, David Keeling, Bea Maddock and Ricky Maynard.

This passion also inspired her in collaboration with David Handley (Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea) to create Ephemeral Art at the Invisible Lodge in 2006 and 2008. Interstate and Tasmanian artists such as Ron Robertson-Swann OAM, Sasha Reid, Peter Adams and Julie Gough used sand, casurina pods and burnt wood to create temporary, contemporary masterpieces that were scattered amongst this sublime landscape, which was magical. You can view the works here.

We encourage all guests to go to the exciting new gallery in Hobart, the Museum of Old and New Art, MONA, before or after their trip (closed Tuesdays). Visit our enquiries page for details about our exclusive package with MONA.

Cooks and caretakers Sonya and Tyler greet us with ginger cordial and brilliant chocolate brownies. The secret of the brownies is simple, according to Sonya - you just double the amount of Lindt chocolate in the recipe. None of us is missing cooking at home.

It is a priceless place, unlike any other know, giving you a chance to be out of touch with the world and yet in contact with yourself.

Breathtaking views, rugged adventure and cubic poo: it doesn’t get more beautiful - or stranger - than Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula.

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How often, in the humdrum of ordinary life, does one find a place so evocative it sends a shiver of goosebumps down the spine? On Tasmania?s east coast, on the gorgeous Freycinet Peninsula, there?s just such a place. This was the territory of Tasmania?s Oyster Bay tribe, the area?s original inhabitants, and the path we are following was once trodden by their feet. There?s noone else around and the bush is whisperquiet.
Flitting wrens and our breathing are the only movement and sound. To be here in this quiet feels like it must have to its first inhabitants: just a breath away from Garden of Eden perfection.  download the full article here

We’re perching on stools and chairs around a table in Geoff King’s cabin like a family of parakeets, heads cocked for the slightest noise coming over the baby monitor. The lights are off and the curtains drawn. Dipping into abalone stew by candlelight, we’re as quiet as possible, trying not to scrape the chairs or clatter our spoons. Outside the Southern Ocean is bashing the coast straight from the shores of Patagonia.  Download the full article here

Best Eco-tourism Experience- 2008 Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards.
Best Eco-tourism (runner up) - 2007 Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards.
Jaguar Award 2000 - Gourmet Traveller Australia for Innovation in Travel.
National Commercial Architecture Award -1993
Environmental citation from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects - 1993