Tasman National Park is a dramatic area that protects one of Australia’s most astounding coastlines, the Tasman Peninsula. Dizzyingly high dolerite cliffs plunge into the surging ocean below, where waves have sculpted fascinating formations in the rock. Check out viewpoints from precipitous cliffs or go on a hike to experience some of the remarkable coastal flora that thrives on the park’s weathered headlands.
Go on a self-guided driving tour around some of Tasman National Park’s most notable landmarks. See intriguing rock formations, such as Tasman Arch and the Blowhole. Find the craggy mouth of the Remarkable Cave or hop across the rocks at the Tessellated Pavement. Waterfall Bay and Pirates Bay present breathtaking beach views framed by rocky cliffs. You might spot sea eagles soaring overhead or dolphins and whales migrating across the ocean waters.
You can also explore the national park via a series of walking tracks, ranging from short bushwalks to day-long trails. Walk along tracks that overlook plunging cliffs and the roaring ocean, such as the paths to Cape Raoul or Shipstern Bluff. Find secret white-sand coves and look out to some of the awe-inspiring rock stacks that stand offshore. Rock climbing and abseiling fans will be in awe of the vertical dolerite columns and sea stacks on the park’s southern coastline. Highlights include the Candlestick and the Totem Pole at Cape Hauy and the sea stacks north of Fortescue Bay.
If you have a little more time to spend exploring, be sure to take on the Three Capes Track. This challenging multi-day hiking trail presents a 28.5-mile (46-kilometer) showcase of the Tasman Peninsula’s scenery, from Cape Pillar to Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul. For a more laid-back camping experience, visit the campgrounds at Fortescue Bay and go boating and fishing. There are also hostels, comfy motels and self-contained accommodations within Tasman National Park.
Tasman National Park is located on Tasmania’s southeastern coast. It is a 90-minute drive from Hobart. Explore the park by car and check out the different destinations at your own pace, or join a charter tour. There is a fee required for entry to this national park.
