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Just a 20-minute drive from Hobart, this secluded cove offers visitors a chance to explore millions of years of natural history while taking in breathtaking coastal views. If you’re looking for a short adventure combining stunning scenery and Tasmania’s prehistoric past, Fossil Cove is a must-visit.
The Fossil Cove walk begins at a small car park on Fossil Cove Drive in Tinderbox. This short but moderately steep track is around 1 1-kilometre return, making it ideal for those looking for a quick escape into nature.
As you descend through native bushland, towering eucalyptus trees surround you, and the sounds of local birdlife add to the atmosphere.
At the bottom of the track, you’ll arrive at Fossil Cove, where a natural sandstone archway frames the entrance to this unique coastal spot. The area is particularly captivating when rock pools reveal various marine life and exposed fossils at low tide.
Fossil Cove is aptly named for its abundant fossilised remains of ancient marine creatures embedded in the sandstone. These fossils date back millions of years and offer a glimpse into Tasmania’s geological history. Take your time exploring the rocky shoreline, where the fossilized formations tell the story of life from long ago.
This natural wonder is not only a geological marvel but also a photographer’s dream, with the sandstone arch and fossil-laden rocks providing the perfect backdrop for capturing the raw beauty of Tasmania’s coastline.
Low tide is the optimal time to visit Fossil Cove, as the tide recedes to reveal rock pools and the most accessible areas of the shoreline. Make sure to check tide times before your visit.
The walk back from Fossil Cove is uphill, so allow extra time for the return journey and bring plenty of water.
Fossil Cove is a protected site, so please respect the environment by leaving fossils and rocks undisturbed. Take only photos and leave only footprints to ensure this special place remains pristine for future generations.
Image Credits: Darren Wright
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.
Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre
16-20 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000
(03) 6238 4222
bookings@hobarttravelcentre.com.au
hobarttravelcentre.com.au