The Freycinet Experience Walk was established in 1992 by former town planner Joan Masterman. Together with architect Ken Latona, Joan had been 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. She also has a talent for attracting outstanding people to staff her walks:  the wonderful guides and lodge hosts that help to make the walk such a special experience.

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

Pristine Tasmania at its very best, peaceful, secluded, quiet. Exploring the peninsula with Tom, Jess, Gil and Shep - who are all so knowledgeable, passionate committed people, just topped it off- Therese Rein 2010

I have lived in quite a few different countries and have experienced all types of travel and food ranging from backpacker level to top-end glitzy luxury in Asia, Europe, and the Emirates and I have to say The Freycinet Experience is up there with my favourites - Petra Nov 2009

In an age in which every luxury resort calls itself ‘eco’, here is truly a place deserving of the epithet. 
It is small, remote and private and the echidnas have right of way - Peter Timms, Writer & Art Critic 2008

Of the dozen treks I have made in Tasmania, that organized by The Freycinet Experience is the most picturesque, varied and memorable. Nicholas Shakespeare -  Author 2008

I climbed Mt. graham, played Frisbee for 8 kilometres with Abby, blow torched a créme brulee, saw lots of birds and read my 206 page book. And I did 30 kilometres! - Clancy (Age 12)

It’s fitting that a region of Australia known for its heightened environmental awareness should be the winner of our Best Eco-Tourism Experience award. Freycinet was gazetted as a national park back in 1916 (making it Tasmania’s oldest), and it’s also home to Coles Bay, Australia’s first plastic-bag-free town. This four-day guided walk explores the many natural highlights of the park, including Schouten Island, Mt Graham, Bluestone Bay and the world-renowned Wineglass Bay while treading lightly on the earth. Each evening, walkers bed down in the purpose-built, environmentally sensitive Friendly Beaches Lodge, where the solar-heated water supply, and recycling and composting practices ensure guests leave a minimal mark on the local ecosystem. The Freycinet Experience’s combination of gorgeous landscapes and prevailing ethos of “luxury without harm"is enough to leave visitors on a natural and sustainable high. Click here for full awards review

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

On the morning of the fourth day’s walk on The Freycinet Experience on Tasmania’s east coast, April Kiffin-Petersen and Tony Gibson were surprised to hear that their walking guide wanted to wash their souls.
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