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Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula

Walk beneath towering sea cliffs, explore Port Arthur’s convict history, find remarkable coastal formations, cruise beneath the cliffs and discover beaches, wildlife and local producers across turrakana / Tasman Peninsula.

Explore turrakana / Tasman Peninsula

Around 90 minutes from Hobart, turrakana / Tasman Peninsula packs a remarkable amount into one corner of southern Tasmania. There’s the convict history of Port Arthur, some of the country’s highest sea cliffs, curious coastal formations around Eaglehawk Neck, sheltered beaches, wildlife, boat cruises and some excellent walking.

You can stand on the Tessellated Pavement in the morning, walk to the cliffs of Cape Raoul, explore the Port Arthur Historic Site, or see the coastline from sea level beneath Tasman Island. Leave a little room in the day for the smaller stops too, from lookouts and beaches to vineyards and distilleries along the road south.

Use the guide below to find things to do across the Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas, or start with the highlights if this is your first visit.

First Time on the Tasman Peninsula? Start Here

Port Arthur Historic Site – One of Australia’s most significant convict sites and the obvious historical anchor for a visit to the Peninsula.

Tessellated Pavement – An easy coastal stop at Eaglehawk Neck and one of the region’s most distinctive geological formations.

Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and the Blowhole – A group of accessible coastal formations that show just how powerful this coastline can be.

Cape Raoul – One of the Peninsula’s standout walks, leading to towering dolerite cliffs above the Southern Ocean.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys – See the coastline from a completely different angle, cruising beneath sea cliffs, caves and Tasman Island.

Fortescue Bay – A beautiful sheltered bay within Tasman National Park and a base for several walks, including access towards Cape Hauy.

Port Arthur Historic Site. Image Credit: Hillary Dinning
Port Arthur Historic Site. Image Credit: Hillary Dinning

Exploring the Peninsula by Area

Dunalley and the South East

The journey from Hobart starts opening up around Dunalley, with food, wine, spirits and coastal scenery giving you plenty of reasons not to rush south.

Eaglehawk Neck

This is natural wonders territory. The Tessellated Pavement, Pirates Bay Lookout, Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen are all concentrated around this part of the Peninsula.

Port Arthur and the Southern Peninsula

Port Arthur Historic Site is the major attraction, with Remarkable Cave, Safety Cove, Cape Raoul and several other coastal experiences nearby.

Nubeena and White Beach

Head west for beaches, quieter coastal communities and another side of the Peninsula away from the busiest visitor attractions.

This could eventually be paired with your regional touring map.

Tasman Peninsula Guides and Inspiration

Explore turrakana / Tasman Peninsula, Southern Tasmania

Explore Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula

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Located at Port Arthur, William McHenry and Sons Distillery is Australia's southern-most whisky distillery.
Dunalley Bay Distillery Beachfront Tasting Hut is a waterfront café and cellar door located on the only road to Port Arthur.
Welcome to Dunalley Bay Distillery, the perfect spot to relax and enjoy delicious food and drinks with breathtaking views of Dunalley Bay!
Nestled along the stunning coastline of Dodges Ferry, Park Beach Cafe is a relaxed beachside destination.
With sweeping views of the Penitentiary, gardens and grounds, the 1830 restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy a long, relaxed meal with friends.
Located at the Pirates Bay Lookout in Eaglehawk Neck, Cubed Espresso is a distinctive vintage coffee van serving renowned specialty coffee, house-made baked goods.
A good place for nice food and better coffee.
Richmond Bakery on the Coast is a long-established Bakery and Cafe business located in Dodges Ferry Open.
Casual family friendly Bistro offering fresh fish caught by the owners commercial fishing business and cooked by chef and cookbook author Eloise Emmett.
Lufra's Cafe and Bistro, situated at Lufra Hotel and Apartments, offers relaxed dining with unbeatable views of the sunset and moonrise over Pirates Bay.
In Ritual creates immersive, small-group and one-on-one nature-based experiences on the Tasman Peninsula, combining breathwork and flower essences.
Premaydena Hill is a family owned and operated winery and cattle farm, perched on hilltop with sweeping views over the Tasman Peninsula and beyond.
Take in the long view. Timeless design sustainably built. Maintaining the land and its heritage as a working farm.
DineAlley is a new agritourism experience on the spectacular Tasman Peninsula and is a bold and boutique "Meet-the-Farmers" foodie tour of the Dunalley region.
Tasman Transfers is a new regional transport service designed to connect regional and metro communities across South-Eastern Tasmania.

Ways to Explore the Tasman Peninsula

There’s more than one way to tackle the Peninsula. Pick what sounds like your kind of day, or mix a few together.

History and Heritage – Start with the Port Arthur Historic Site, where you can explore the remains and stories of one of Australia’s most significant convict settlements. The Peninsula’s history extends well beyond Port Arthur too, with convict built sites and traces of the region’s past found throughout the area.

Walks and Wild Coastline – Tasman National Park contains some of southern Tasmania’s most dramatic walking country. Cape Raoul, Cape Hauy and the multi day Three Capes Track put walkers high above the Southern Ocean, while shorter tracks provide plenty of options if you have less time.

Natural Wonders – Around Eaglehawk Neck, several of the Peninsula’s best known geological attractions can be explored within a relatively small area. Stop at the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen and the Blowhole, then follow the coast south towards Remarkable Cave.

Wildlife and the Ocean – Take to the water on a wilderness cruise, look for seals, seabirds and migrating whales, or visit local wildlife experiences on land. The waters surrounding the Peninsula are an important part of what makes this region different.

Beaches and Quieter Corners – Fortescue Bay, White Beach, Safety Cove and smaller bays around the Peninsula provide a change of pace from the major attractions. Some are good for a picnic or short wander, others might convince you to stay for the afternoon.

Food, Wine and Spirits – The journey south has become an experience in itself, with vineyards, distilleries, cafés and local producers around Dunalley, Bream Creek and the Tasman Peninsula. If food and drink are part of the plan, follow our South East and Tasman Peninsula Wine and Spirits Trail.

Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman Peninsula. Image Credit: Darren Wright

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the Tasman Peninsula from Hobart?

The northern gateway around Eaglehawk Neck is approximately 45 minutes from central Hobart, depending on where you’re travelling to.

Yes. Port Arthur and several coastal attractions can be combined into a day trip, although staying overnight gives you considerably more time for walks, cruises and exploring beyond the main sights.

For a first visit, Port Arthur Historic Site, the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, Fortescue Bay and one of the Peninsula’s coastal walks are good places to start.

Cape Raoul and Cape Hauy are among the best known day walks, while the Three Capes Track offers a multi day experience. There are also numerous shorter walks throughout Tasman National Park.

A valid Tasmanian Parks Pass is required for vehicles entering national parks such as Tasman National Park. 

Yes. Staying on the Peninsula allows much more time to explore beyond Port Arthur, particularly if you want to walk, take a boat cruise, visit local producers or explore beaches and quieter parts of the region.

Discover turrakana / Tasman Peninsula

Located just a short drive from Hobart, this stunning region is a treasure trove of natural wonders, outdoor adventures, and fascinating cultural heritage.

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Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

The Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team is dedicated to bringing you the best insider tips, local stories, and up-to-date guides to exploring southern Tasmania.

Article Details:

Article Created: 14 January 2025
Last Update: 25 September 2026
Author: Darren Wright
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