Tasman Peninsula

The Southern Hemisphere's highest sea cliffs (300 m), the Tasman Arch, the Tessellated Pavement and the Totem Pole at Cape Hauy. Sea-cliff cruises and the Three Capes Track are the highlights beyond Port Arthur.

The Tasman Peninsula lies southeast of Hobart and connects to the main island via the Eaglehawk Neck isthmus, which is only 100 m wide. The whole peninsula is a mix of dolomite sea cliffs, sea-carved landforms and eucalyptus forest, and the Tasman National Park, established in 2019, covers much of the coastline. Highlights from north to south: the Tessellated Pavement beside Eaglehawk Neck, where rock layers are split by joints into regular square blocks, most photogenic at dawn at low tide; the Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen (a sea-carved gorge 60 m deep) and the Blowhole, all a short walk from the car park; the Pirates Bay lookout; the walk from Fortescue Bay to Cape Hauy (9.4 km return, about 4 hours), which ends at 300-m cliffs and the famous climbing sea stack known as the Totem Pole; and the 3-day, 4-night Three Capes Track (Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy, booking required, with overnight stays in comfortable lodge-style huts). The easiest yet most dramatic option is the Pennicott sea-cliff cruise from Port Arthur or Stormy Bay (3 hours, about AUD 160), which passes close to the 300-m cliffs, sea caves and seal colonies, and with luck you may see dolphins, albatross and whales. On the peninsula, the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo offers close-up views of Tasmanian devils at feeding time, and Port Arthur Lavender has lavender fields and coffee. Getting there: it's a 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Hobart to Eaglehawk Neck, and the peninsula is usually combined with Port Arthur as a day or two-day trip. Note: there are no guardrails at the cliff edges, so stay well back in strong wind; cruises can be bumpy and cause seasickness, so take medication beforehand and wear the waterproof jacket provided on board; bring plenty of water and sunscreen for walks; and after dusk, there are many kangaroos and wombats on the roads, so slow down.

Tasman Peninsula

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Places to eat nearby