Mount Amos Hike, Tasmania | Everything You Need To Know

Mount Amos is arguably the most popular short hike you can do in Tasmania and as soon as you scramble over the last boulder separating you from the summit, you’ll understand why.

Located in the famous Freycinet National Park on Tamania’s east coast, Mt Amos is one of the five peaks forming The Hazards – a pink granite mountain range that dominates the iconic coastline. 

There’s no denying that the short but mighty ascent will leave you breathless in more ways than one, but the effort is 1,000 times worth the reward of experiencing the absolute best view of Wineglass Bay.

We’ve completed the Mount Amos hike on multiple occasions – our favourite being for sunrise – and in this post, you’ll find an in-depth guide to summiting Mt Amos from a locals perspective, including tips on when to visit, what to bring and inspiring images to fuel your wanderlust.

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Everything You Need To Know About Mt Amos, Tasmania

Quick Statistics For Summiting Mt Amos

Distance
4 km return

Time
2 – 4 hrs

Grade
Grade 4

Elevation Gain
400 m

Highest Elevation
454 m 

Entrance Fees
Tasmania Parks Pass

Facilities
Trailhead: Toilets, bench seats, drinking water, car park, walker’s information sign
Along the track: none

Where Does The Mt Amos Track Start?

Mount Amos is part of The Hazards range, a collection of five pink granite peaks that soar above Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park on the east coast of Tasmania. The Mt Amos hike begins at the large Wineglass Bay car park found at the end of Freycinet Drive, 10 minutes south of Coles Bay. This is the starting point for most of the walks in Freycinet National Park and can be used as a base while exploring the many trails. 

How To Get To The Mount Amos Trailhead

The Mount Amos trailhead is 2.5 hrs north of Hobart and just over 2 hrs south-east of Launceston. Unfortunately, there are no consistent or direct public transport options for Freycinet National Park, meaning the best way to reach the trailhead is by car. If you don’t have access to a vehicle, we recommend checking out Rental Cars for the best deals.

By Car

The directions to the Mt Amos trailhead are quite straightforward. Plenty of signs can be found along the scenic coastal road – Tasman Highway – to prepare you for your turn-off onto Coles Bay Road. The turn-off is 11km south of Bicheno and 32km northeast of Swansea and will take you all the way to the end of Freycinet Drive where the Wineglass Bay car park is located.

Click Here For Directions

Who Is This Hike For?

Mt Amos is for the adventurous, for those that are looking for an exhilarating climb to a summit viewpoint that will leave you breathless. You will spend the majority of the short 2 km ascent scrambling up and down exposed rock slabs, relying on hand holds for grip on more than one occasion.

There’s no doubt that the Mount Amos hike requires some scrambling experience and a good head for heights. But for intermediate to advanced hikers, this is quite an easy walk. However, if you don’t have much experience with basic scrambling, the steep exposed slab can be quite intimidating.

That said, you still need a decent pair of hiking shoes or trail runners with good grip, a good level of fitness and dry conditions for this summit walk. Any old runners are not the best option for this hike, the chances of slipping on the smooth rock slabs are increasingly probable if you are wearing poor-quality shoes.

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Pro Tip: It’s almost always more difficult descending than ascending steep (and sometimes slippery) rock slabs. If you begin to feel uneasy on your way up to Mt Amos, turn around and ensure you’re comfortable descending before moving on. If at any time the track becomes too technical for you, you can turn back.

What To Bring For The Mt Amos Hike

Mount Amos is a short yet physically demanding hike that can take anywhere between 2 and 4 hours to complete. We suggest bringing a comfortable day pack with a warm layer for the summit, some snacks and at least 1 – 2lt of water – you’re exposed to the elements almost the entire way and many underestimate the fierceness of the Tasmanian sun!

You will also want to wear a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or trail runners that provide good grip on rocky terrain. You’ll be relying on this grip on multiple occasions along the hike. If you’re in need of a pair of hiking shoes, we highly recommend The North Face Vectiv Exploris which have exceptional grip and breathability.

Best Time To Hike Mount Amos

Due to the extreme steepness of the Mt Amos track, it is highly recommended only to attempt this hike in dry weather. Even when it is dry, you’ll often find a few damp spots that give you a little insight into how hairy the climb could be in the wet!

Luckily, the Freycinet Peninsula receives quite a mild winter compared to other parts of Tasmania, such as Cradle Mountain and Mount Field, which means that the hike is doable year-round. 

However, to avoid the crowds, the highest chance of rain and the blistering heat (yes, it does get hot here sometimes!), consider visiting Freycinet National Park in early spring or autumn.

Best Time Of Day To Hike Mt Amos

The best time of day to hike Mt Amos is unquestionably for sunrise. While this does require waking at the crack of dawn and summiting in the dark, it’s beyond worth it to watch the sun creep over the horizon and illuminate the Freycinet Peninsula in a soft golden light.

But if walking in the dark sounds less than ideal to you, we still suggest leaving early to beat the majority of the crowds. This will also allow you to avoid the hottest part of the day if you are visiting in summer.

The Mount Amos Hike Track Notes

The Trailhead To The Beginning Of The Rock Slabs

Beginning at the southern end of the Wineglass Bay car park, the well-signposted trail will lead you along a slightly ascending journey through deep ruts and over gnarled tree roots as you wander beneath the lush coastal eucalypt forest.

Note: At the beginning of the track, you’ll be met with a warning sign stating that the walk is challenging and suitable for physically fit and well-equipped walkers only. While we aren’t here to deter you, we would have to agree with this sign.

After 800m, you’ll be met with yet another warning sign as you leave the safety of the forest and emerge onto the first of many massive rock slabs that inhibit the Mt Amos walk. Here you’re afforded glimpses of Coles Bay and Honeymoon Bay in the northeast as you test the grip of your shoes on your introductory slab ascent.

Ascending the First Rocks Slabs

This section of rock is quite grippy and allows you to gain confidence with the exposure before attempting the steeper and more worn slabs to come.

Continuing to traverse southeast over smaller slabs and between sparse shrubs, you’ll slowly make your way to one of the slipperiest sections of the trail. The saving grace is that it’s not as steep as some other slabs, but take your time and avoid the shiny worn surfaces where possible.

Note: This part of the trail is a great indicator as to whether you should continue on or enjoy the beautiful vistas from here before returning. While this is one of the slipperiest sections, it does get more steep and technical closer to the peak.

Once you navigate the worn slab, the track continues to curve to the right, weaving between boulders and crossing a number of soggy sunless patches of ground before arriving at a long horizontal fracture (crack in the rock) that will deliver you to your next granite scramble.

Relying solely on the grip of your hiking shoes to ascend the following giant rock slabs, and the orange triangle markers to lead you along the safest route, you’ll slowly inch your way closer to the peak while the impossibly beautiful landscape unfolds around you.

The trail gets a little spicier from here on out, with more technical sections and a steeper gradient. At some points, the correct route isn’t as obvious so take the time to ensure you’ve chosen the best path before attempting any unnecessary scrambles.

Dipping briefly back into the safety of the trees for roughly 200 m, your arms get to join the workout as you pull yourself up and over exposed roots and large boulders before making your way to the second tier of pink granite rocks.

The Second Tier Of Slabs To The Summit

After emerging once again from the treeline, approximately 1.5km into the Mt Amos hike, you’ll have one last technical section to contend with before the gradient lessens slightly for the last 500m. 

The best course of action for this steep and exposed slab is to follow the vertical fractures (cracks in the rocks), which are handy to wedge your feet in for extra grip as you make your way closer to the summit.

Soon after, the exposure decreases and shrubs and stunted trees crowd the trail once more as you continue along the remaining 500m. Taking respite in the gentler gradient, you’ll follow the orange markers that force you to shimmy between rock slabs and an overgrown mess of spiky shrubs before funnelling you to the final scramble.

 And finally, after 2km and roughly 1 – 1.5 hrs, you’ll clamber over one last boulder and arrive at the vast summit of Mt Amos.

Exploring The Summit Of Mount Amos

You will be blown away once you step foot on the summit of Mt Amos and finally witness the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay arcing toward the distant peaks of Mount Graham and Mount Freycinet. This is without a doubt the best view of the Freycinet Peninsula, only rivalled by Mt Freycinet!

An abundance of boulders scattered across the peak beckon you to scale their rough exterior in order to access the best possible uncrowded view. Soft calls from the native birds and an unruly wind tickling your face are the only distractions as you stand in solitary, admiring the total bliss of nature.

You could spend hours bounding about the summit, exploring different vantage points and enjoying some additional rock scrambling. But once you’re ready to return, follow the trail markers back the way you came.

Descending Mount Amos

Having the force of speed propelling you down when you’re not quite stable is stressful to say the least, making the descent the most difficult part of the Mount Amos hike.

A couple of methods can be used to descend the steep slabs of rock that the Mount Amos Hike is so famous for. The favourite for the timid is bum shuffling – no one is going to judge in this situation. Or a slow and steady foot shuffle, taking your time to find secure handholds on the rock ledges and sparse neighbouring treeline, is also popular.

However you decide to descend, make sure to take in the beautiful surroundings. It’s funny how a view can take on a completely different perspective when in reverse.

The Mt Amos hike took us 2 hours to complete, with a little additional time spent exploring the summit at sunrise. However, it’s best to allow anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to ensure you can move as slowly as is comfortable.

We highly recommend adding this hike to your Freycinet Itinerary if you’re searching for a little adventure and a whole lot of incredible views. But remember to check the weather and only choose to summit on clear days, we certainly wouldn’t want to try climbing Mt Amos in the wet!

Best Alternative Walks For The Mount Amos Track, Tasmania

If you’re feeling a little uneasy about the technical difficulty of Mt Amos, the weather is gloomy or you’re simply trying to avoid the crowds, we’ve got a few alternatives for you to consider.

Wineglass Bay Lookout

Wineglass Bay Lookout is a short and easy 1-hour circuit that leads you to the second-best viewpoint of the iconic white-sanded shores of Wineglass Bay. The lookout is by far the most popular walk in Freycinet and is easily doable for families and beginner hikers and allows you to descend to the alluring turquoise water of Wineglass Bay if you’re feeling up for a longer walk.

Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit

When the skies are threatening to unleash rain, the Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit provides a fantastic alternative option. This 3 – 5 hour walk descends to the course yellow sand of Hazards Beach before crossing the isthmus and arriving at the starkly contrasted Wineglass Bay. This walk also includes the Wineglass Bay lookout so you won’t need to miss out on the iconic view completely.

Mount Freycinet

If you’re attempting to avoid the crowds, the views from Mt Freycinet are arguably even better than that of Mt Amos. However, it is quite a mission to reach the peak, requiring either a 3-day hike along the Freycinet Peninsula Circuit or a boat ride to Hazards Beach where you can begin the ascent to Mt Freycinet.

For more information on these alternative hikes and additional options for trails to complete on the Freycinet Peninsula, check out our guide to the best walks in Freycinet National Park.

Other Important Information For Summiting Mount Amos

Leave No Trace

Freycinet National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Tasmania and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. This is a huge strain on the already fragile landscape, but we can help reduce the potential damage by following the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

It’s as simple as taking your rubbish with you – including food scraps and tissues – and sticking to the formed trails where you can. There are no toilets along the Mt Amos hike so ensure you’ve used the ones provided at the Wineglass Bay car park before beginning your hike.

Where To Stay Near Mount Amos, Freycinet National Park

While it is possible to complete the Mt Amos hike as a day trip from either Launceston or Hobart, we suggest spending a little extra time on the Freycinet Peninsula and staying in Coles Bay.

Located just 10 minutes north of the trailhead, Coles Bay has everything you need from fuel and groceries to quaint cafes and delicious restaurants with stellar sunset views. To find the best place to stay on the Freycinet Peninsula, take a look at our guide to the best accommodation in Coles Bay.

Camping In Freycinet National Park

There are multiple options for camping in Freycinet National Park, our favourite being the free River and Rocks campsite which is located 2km north of Coles Bay. This campsite offers a drop toilet and stunning views of The Hazards range.

FAQs About Summiting Mt Amos, Tasmania

Is The Mount Amos Hike Dangerous?

While there have been some instances where hikers have needed to be rescued from Mt Amos, if you’re prepared, wear the right gear and allow enough time to safely complete the hike then it’s not that dangerous. That said, it is considerably more dangerous in wet weather and shouldn’t be attempted unless it’s dry.

Should I Choose The Wineglass Bay Lookout Track Or Mount Amos?

The view from Mt Amos is undoubtedly the best compared to the Wineglass Bay lookout and provides a more exciting adventure. However, if you’re uncomfortable scrambling on exposed rock slabs then Wineglass Bay Lookout is the perfect alternative.

How Long Does It Take To Climb Mt Amos?

The climb to Mt Amos can take anywhere between 1 to 2 hours depending on your level of fitness and scrambling abilities. To play it safe, allow at least 1.5 hrs to climb and roughly the same time to descend.

Is Mount Amos Better For Sunrise Or Sunset?

Mt Amos provides the best experience for sunrise. Where you’ll witness the sun rise above the horizon over the Tasman Sea and light up the famous Wineglass Bay in hues of orange and yellow.

At sunset, the sun dips below Mt Mayson before sunset begins so you’ll miss the main event and the best colours. The best place to watch the sunset is from Honeymoon Bay or Hazards Beach.

Is The Mount Amos Walk Difficult?

The Mount Amos walk is graded 4 by Tasmania Parks and requires some scrambling experience and a good level of fitness. It’s not as difficult as some other summit hikes in Tasmania, such as Mt Eliza and Barn Bluff, but it is exposed and steep.

Final Thoughts

Mt Amos is one of our all-time favourite short hikes in Tasmania and offers one of the best sunrise summit viewpoints we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. But there’s no denying it’s not for the faint of heart. Remember to wear grippy shoes and only embark on this adventure in dry weather.

Have you hiked to the summit of Mt Amos? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. And if you have further questions about the hike, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help you.

Happy Hiking 🙂