places
things to do
blog
deals
Talk to an expert

Things to Do

Travel Ideas

Events

See all blogs

Popular Destinations

All Towns

Places to Stay

Camping
Heritage Stays
Hobart Hotels
See more...

Popular Destinations

All Towns

Latest Deals

View all deals

Wishlist

As you browse the site, add accommodation, tours, events and attractions to your personalised trip by clicking the heart icon. When you’re done, click the heart icon in the menu at the top of the website to view your wishlist.

Review your list, remove any items you no longer need, then select “View your itinerary” to see your trip on a map, or send it to a friend.

VIEW YOUR ITINERARY
EMAIL THIS WISHLIST
Close

Edge of the Earth: 7 Dramatic Walks in the Tasman Region

  • Three Capes Track - Cape Pillar and the Blade. Image Credit Pierre Destribats

On the wild and windswept Tasman Peninsula, where the land meets the roaring Southern Ocean, some of Tasmania’s most dramatic walks await.

The region’s rugged cliffs, ancient forests, and breathtaking coastal vistas offer a sense of standing at the very edge of the Earth.  In this article, we explore unforgettable walks that showcase the raw beauty and untamed spirit of the Tasman region, each promising a unique adventure and a glimpse into nature’s awe-inspiring power.

Navigation: Home / Places / Tasman Peninsula / Edge of the Earth: 7 Dramatic Walks in the Tasman Region

Explore the Tasman Peninsula on Foot

Chuck that bag of primo popcorn in the microwave and settle in – the turrakana / Tasman Region is all about the drama! The peninsula is famed for its breathtaking coastal scenery, including the tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere. At just over an hour’s drive from Hobart, all the excitement is within easy reach.

Exploring this pocket of the world on foot is a great way to immerse yourself in the drama (and great exercise for the body and soul before you go for that Home & Away audition). We’ve picked five of our favourite walks to get you going (if you’re within the Tasman National Park, don’t forget to grab a Parks Pass).on

Safe walking guidelines

We want all walkers to have a safe and enjoyable experience, so please plan to walk safely, be prepared, avoid walking alone, tell someone where you are going and record your trip intentions in the log books. Please read the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Safe Walking guidelines before heading out.

Cape Hauy, Tasman National Park (c) tripinaus
Cape Hauy, Tasman National Park (c) tripinaus

1. The Three Capes Track

The Three Capes sound like a group of superheroes, and that’s exactly how you’ll feel standing on top of the giant sea cliffs at the edge of the world! The Three Capes Track is one of those transformative experiences that stays with you for a lifetime.

This cliff-hugging coastal walk plonks you smack bang in the raw drama of nature, beginning from the Port Arthur Historic Site. You’ll trek 46km on a meticulously crafted track, through tall eucalypt forest and colourful coastal heath, with the swirling Tasman Sea your constant companion. A highlight is climbing The Blade at Cape Pillar and gazing across to Tasman Island.

Challenge yourself to complete the walk over three days or take a little easier in four with Tasmanian Walking Company or go pack-free with Life’s an Adventure. 

Three Capes Track
Port Arthur Historic Site

2. Cape Hauy

If the Three Capes Track appeals to you but you’re short on time, the walk from Fortescue Bay to Cape Hauy (4hrs return / 4.4km one way) is a nice little taster. Trek through a variety of heath and woodland, then behold the awe-inspiring views of steep cliffs and interesting rock formations. See if you can spot any adrenaline junkies on the ‘Candlestick’ and ‘Totem Pole’ – the dolerite columns and cliffs at Cape Hauy are popular spots for climbing and abseiling.

Cape Hauy
Cape Hauy, Tasman National Park (c) phylicia131
Cape Hauy, Tasman National Park (c) phylicia131
Waterfall Bay (c) @camblakephotography
Waterfall Bay (c) @camblakephotography

3. Waterfall Bay

The walk from the Devils Kitchen, at Eaglehawk Neck, to Waterfall Bay (1 – 1.5hrs return / 1.7km one way) is an exciting coastal trek within the Tasman National Park. Enjoy awesome vantage points along the way for amazing views of the epic sea cliffs and beyond. This hike is particularly stunning after rainfall, as you can gaze across the cliff-lined bay and watch a waterfall plummeting spectacularly down into the sea.

Eaglehawk Neck
Tasman National Park

4. Crescent Bay & Mt Brown

The walk to Crescent Bay is a delight, ending with a beautiful secluded beach which you’ll likely have all to yourself. Begin from the carpark near Remarkable Cave (make sure you go for a gander at the cave while you’re there). Around 20 minutes in, you’ll come across the Maignon Blowhole (take care), and around 45 minutes in you’ll enjoy a superb view of the beach you’re about to descend onto. When you arrive, sit under the humungous sand dunes and feel like a tiny dot (very Instagrammable).

If you’re keen for a longer walk, turn off and add in the hike up Mt Brown (4hrs return / 8km total) – the extra steps will reward you with top views of Cape Pillar and Tasman Island as well as Cape Raoul.

Crescent Bay

5. The Coal Mines Historic Site

A walk AND an education in convict history? Sign me up! The Coal Mines Historic Site, at Saltwater River, is home to one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. You can choose from several route options ranging from a few minutes to several hours (we recommend setting aside an hour or two so you can pause to read the interpretation panels along the way).

You’ll learn about the dramatic history of the coal mines as you explore the ruins, including the penitentiary, underground cells and mine shaft. As you walk, imagine what life would have been like for the poor souls who lived and worked at the site! There are no entry fees so it’s easy on the budget too.

Coal Mines Historic Site

6. Cape Raoul

What starts as a pleasant bushwalk soon turns into a stunning, often breathtaking journey. The newly refurbished track climbs through open forest to a cliff edge that may take some walkers by surprise. From there on the 14km return walk, through heath and light forest, it’s never far from those jaw-dropping cliffs. The stunning coastal scenery continues all the way out to Cape Raoul. The dolerite cape drops dramatically into the ocean. Keep an eye out for seals on the rocks and small islands below.6

Cape Raoul

7. Bivouac Bay

A delightfully varied coastal walk that feels remote but is quite accessible. Starting on the tranquil sands of Fortescue Bay, the walk climbs to a modest clifftop, then undulates through light bush and forest. You’re never far from the water, and are sure to see sea birds, and perhaps even seals, dolphins or whales in the bay. At Canoe Bay, a bit over halfway to Bivouac Bay, keep an eye out for the rusting metal of the sunken dredge William Pitt. From Canoe Bay the track follows the unique coastline before a moderately steep climb into Bivouac Bay.  After reaching Bivouac Bay, you return on the same track. ​

Bivouac Bay
The Candlestick, Cape Hauy. Image Credit: Jason Charles Hill
The Candlestick, Cape Hauy. Image Credit: Jason Charles Hill
Explore the Tasman Peninsula
Other Nearby Attractions
Find Accommodation

Discover turrakana / Tasman Peninsula

Where nature’s beauty and rich history converge to create an unforgettable experience.

turrakana / Tasman Peninsula

Download Touring Maps

Stay in touch with what’s happening in Hobart & Beyond

Sign up for our mailing list

We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

sign up for our newsletter
Talk to an Expert

Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre
16-20 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000

(03) 6238 4222
bookings@hobarttravelcentre.com.au
hobarttravelcentre.com.au

Popular links

Places
Things to Do
What’s On
Blog
Deals
Touring Maps
Newsletter

Visitor information

Visitor Information
Contact Us
Contribute Images

Hobart & Beyond is managed by
Destination Southern Tasmania

southerntasmania.com.au 
List your business & events

  • Hobart & Beyond 2024

Sign up for our mailing list

Subscribe for updates on what's happening in hobart and beyond