Whitehaven is larger, for a start, and has the bonus of Hill Inlet lurking behind the beach itself. The lookout that delivers the view across the two of them, on the other hand, is relatively low, easily accessed, and poorly set up as far as the volume of visitors is concerned.
The Pernickety Reader will question why Hughesy is banging on about a location in the Whitsundays when he's supposed to be talking Tassie, but there's a method in the madness, and we're talking two iconic features that are largely composed of pure white sand.
It may have been the time, but it seemed that Whitehaven was receiving a flow of visitors with an anarchic disregard for protocols that would maximize the enjoyment of the vista at the top. I took a look and headed off, glad to be away from the jostle on a crowded platform that needed to be substantially bigger.
There's no question Wineglass Bay attracts a multitude of visitors, and at $12 per head it must be a real gold mine as far as the Tasmanian National Parks are concerned. Admittedly, their Visitor Centres reflect a fair degree of capital expenditure, and they've got a substantial workforce on the payroll.
It's also very well managed, and there's no quibbling about paying the fee. If you want to see the attraction, you pay your money and take your chance with the weather. In return for the money, you also get a decent viewing platform at the top, some spectacular views back across Great Oyster Bay on the way up, and further options going onward assuming you have the time, energy and inclination.
Most particularly, once you've got yourself up to the view you can take your time to enjoy it. There's enough space on the rail at the top lookout to allow for a goodly number of photographers, and room to sit away from there if you just want to take in the view. There is, of course, the small matter of getting your breath back.