TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to Tasman National Park

Tasman National Park is a coastal wonderland with soaring sea cliffs and monumental rock formations. Breathe in the briny sea air, feel the crisp coastal wind, and hear the unbridled roar of the raging sea.

This peninsula in the state’s far southeast hangs by a thread to the Tasmanian mainland, with only the 100m-wide isthmus of Teralina / Eaglehawk Neck preventing it from becoming an island. Covering much of the rugged coastline of Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula, the park features 300m-high sea cliffs – the highest in Australia – and a curious collection of geological oddities.

It is the setting for the famed Three Capes Track, and a host of other unique walks offering an up-close encounter with nature. Trek past remote white-sand beaches and isolated islands. Hike intrepid paths to the edge of sheer drops, which fall away dramatically into deep chasms and surging seas. Or gush in wonder at a majestic waterfall tumbling down a sheer cliff-face into the sea below. Tasman National Park overflows with natural splendour!

Marvel at the ocean’s power to carve and create at the turbulent trench of Devils Kitchen, or the natural bridge of Tasmans Arch.

Go camping by the deep-blue waters at Fortescue Bay, or kayak to the base of the Totem Pole and Candlestick sea stacks: these stark slivers of dolerite rock stretch like bony fingers towards the sky.

The waters here are home to little penguins, fish, dolphins, fur seals and sometimes whales. Other must-do attractions outside of the National Park include the World Heritage-listed convict site Port Arthur, tasting delectable whisky and wine at McHenry Distillery and Bangor Vineyard Shed, and visiting uncaged wildlife that are free to come and go at the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo.

Blustery, raw and breathtaking – Tasman National Park is rich with diverse and distinctive marine life, wildlife and geology.

Three Capes Track

Spectacular rock formations and moody, atmospheric ocean collide on this iconic four-day walk.

This 48km track showcases the national park’s most dramatic cliffs. Crossing from the Port Arthur Historic Site by boat, the track rises to the clifftops around Cape Pillar high above the ocean and craggy Tasman Island. Nights are spent in some of the most comfortable and best-equipped public bushwalking huts in Australia. These metal and timber quarters have received awards for innovative, sustainable design and feature cosy sleeping digs, sociable eating spaces, decks and equipped kitchens. Bookings are essential.

Begin with a short Pennicott Wilderness Journeys eco cruise – perhaps you’ll be greeted by some seals, dolphins or white-bellied sea eagles. Step ashore at the glassy, tree-lined Denmans Cove and trek past eucalypt trees to a secluded cabin overlooking the sharp and arresting Cape Raoul. Nearby is the epic surf break, Shipstern Bluff. Only the best surfers will want to tackle Shippies – Australia’s heaviest wave, also regarded as one of the world’s wildest, with its signature step-like break.

On day two, wander through coastal heath and climb Arthur’s Peak above the plunging sandy slopes of Crescent Bay. Day three will have you standing high above the crashing ocean at Cape Pillar, tapering out to a desolate Tasman Island lashed by waves – sometimes stoney-grey, other times intensely blue.

Scale Mount Fortescue on day four along a track draped with green forest and ferns. Venture to the elemental Cape Hauy where the breeze whistles through the short green scrub and the towering dolerite column known as the Totem Pole juts straight up from the ocean floor. Walk down until you reach the dreamy, secluded Fortescue Bay. Celebrate with an invigorating dip in the clear waters: this is possibly the most effective and revitalising cool-down method after a big hike.

Crescent Bay

With steep, velvety sand dunes plunging into the gleaming waters of an arc-shaped bay, the four-hour return walk to and from Crescent Bay is well worth the effort. It’s a rewarding hike through 7.5km of Tasmanian coastal environment on the picturesque Tasman Peninsula.

The journey begins at the Remarkable Cave car park and ventures past Maingon Blowhole: a now sunken sea cave that shoots forth dramatic bursts of sea spray from its blackened crevice. Take in the rhythmic sounds of the waves lashing, then receding, on an endless loop.

Walk onwards through a serenade of pleasant birdsong punctuated by the enchanting calls of yellow-tailed black cockatoos. Small, brushy coastal scrub surrounds the track, with the occasional echidna waddling through the vegetation to keep you company. Eucalypt trees rustle gently around you in this quintessentially Aussie soundscape. Continue on to reach Mount Brown, then wander down into the sandy surrounds of Crescent Bay.

This remote paradise is shaped as though someone has taken a big scoop out of the vast, treelined coastline. Here, the sun beats down on the gargantuan sand dunes and twinkles in the shallows. Take your time swimming around and listening to the cool lapping of the water. Snorkel in the shallows or lay down a towel, close your eyes and inhale the salty sea air. It’s easy to feel as if you could be absolutely anywhere in the world here on the edge of the vast Tasman Sea.

Waterfall Bay

This walk high upon the rugged peninsula clifftops will take you to a rare ecological phenomenon – a glorious, 100m-high waterfall cascading dramatically into the surging sea below.

Before you begin your walk, stop in at two other natural beauties: Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen. Tasmans Arch is an epic bridge of brown and yellow stone looming over a shadowy passage of swirling, gushing water that produces cavernous echoes. A string of bushy-green gumtrees adorns the suspended mass of rock which forms the top of the arch.

Devils Kitchen is similarly dark and atmospheric, but takes its form as a trench rather than an arch. This deep shaft leads to a dark ocean abyss. The cliffs here comprise of a slightly paler, dusty shade of rock, with horizontal stripe-like patterns etched into the stone, and a smattering of short, fluffy vegetation.

Now for the Waterfall Bay walk. This is a 3.4km return jaunt from the Tasman Arch car park, taking between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. Follow the coast south from Devils Kitchen and walk along clifftops to a soundtrack of bushland birdsong, oftentimes turbulent water swelling beneath you, and wind blowing through the hardy gum trees. The cliffs on this isolated south-east coastline seem to stretch on forever, creating an undeniable impression of walking on the edge of the world.

Waterfall Bay itself is always breathtaking, but even more so after a good day of rainfall. The towering waterfall gushes hypnotically – trickling over a series of steps before finally taking a 100m leap over high cliffs into the Tasman Sea. Eucalypts cling to the crevices across the dolerite cliffs. The water beneath is a bold, shadowy blue, almost always churning with waves, but can quieten to a soft rippling on calmer days.

Accessibility

Visitors to Tasman National Park require a parks pass. Trained guide dogs assisting people with vision and hearing impairments are permitted in national parks. However, you will need to obtain a permit for them and carry identification with you. To obtain this permit or for enquiries relating to other assistance animals, please phone the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service or email parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au ahead of your visit.

The gateway to Tasman National Park is Teralina / Eaglehawk Neck, which is accessible via a one-hour drive about 75km south-east of Hobart. The number 734 Tassielink bus takes you between Hobart and Teralina / Eaglehawk Neck, also stopping at other sites like Nubeena and Port Arthur. This bus service departs Hobart from stop D outside the Town Hall.

If you plan to camp at Fortescue Bay, bookings are recommended in November to April. A parks pass is required, and camping fees apply. The campground office has basic supplies for sale, and Fortescue Bay has limited food available at the campground office.

Other accommodation is available in nearby Port Arthur, Taranna, Teralina / Eaglehawk Neck and Nubeena.

Pack warm and windproof clothing when hiking, as Southern Ocean winds often blow strongly across the peninsula. Stay within barriers on walks, keep away from hazardous cliffs and be mindful that some bushwalking experience is recommended before undertaking hikes here. For more detailed information about park facilities and track gradings please contact the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service or visit their website at www.parks.tas.gov.au.

Sprawling Tasman National Park has several access points: Pirates Bay, Fortescue Bay, Safety Cove and Stormlea. It’s about a one-hour drive, or 75km, from Hobart to Pirates Bay, and a 90-minute drive, or 110km, from Hobart to Stormlea.