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Cape Pillar from the Three Capes Track
Cape Pillar from the Three Capes Track (photograph: Natalie Mendham)

Tasman National Park

Stunning sea cliffs and tall forests.

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Alerts for Tasman National Park

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Fire ban: Seasonal campfire bans are in place
Applies from 5/11/2024
​​​​Campfires, pot fires and other solid fuel stoves are banned in all parks and reserves in the following local government areas: Tasman, King Island, Flinders, Dorset, Break O’Day, Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Sorell.  

They are also banned in Narawntapu National Park.  ​

This is a seasonal ban to reduce the risk of fire over summer.

​The map​ below shows all affected areas.  You can still use gas stoves and gas barbecues. 

​Decorative Map​
​
 Look out for these signs.



Please note: The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and the Vale of Belvoir Conservation Area are fuel stove only areas at all times of the year.

Last reviewed 4/2/2025 10:29 AM

Closed area: Wughalee Falls Campsite – Tasman National Park
Applies from 2/12/2022

​​​​​​​Wughalee Falls campsite within the Tasman National Park is closed until further notice. Alternative campsite Bare Knoll remains open approximately 400m beyond the Wughalee campsite turnoff. This Campsite has limited capacity and cannot be booked. 

For further enquiries please call: (03) 6250 3980​.​​​​

Last reviewed 11/10/2024 11:41 AM

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Access friendly
  • Barbecues
  • Boat ramp
  • Camping
  • Caravan access
  • Cycling tracks
  • Drinking water
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Overnight walk
  • Park ranger
  • Parking
  • Picnic facilities
  • Scuba diving
  • Short walk
  • Showers (hot)
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
  • Toilets

ContactExpand/Collapse

About

​Tasman National Park is a wild, yet accessible park of tall forests and a truly spectacular coastline.

Waters from the Southern Ocean collide with the towering sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, creating spectacular rock formations, including caves and arches. The coastal vegetation grows precariously close to the edges of the cliffs, creating a blanket of green that contrasts with the surging surf below.

Australia’s highest sea cliffs have walkers on the award-winning, multi-day Three Capes Track in awe. Day walkers can also discover a slice of this beauty high atop the cliffs on shorter coastal walks at Cape Hauy, Cape Raoul and the world-famous big wave mecca, Shipsterns Bluff.

Easily visited from Hobart, Tasman National Park is an area of great beauty and natural diversity that can be explored by car, from the water, on foot and even by helicopter.

National park

A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
Choose from a range of pass options to best meet your needs.

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​​​​In the State’s far south-east, linked to the rest of the island by a short bridge over a dredged canal, lie the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas. The Tasman National Park protects the eastern and southern coastal regions of both, which are joined by a narrow isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck. 

Undoubtedly, the Park’s greatest heroes are its sea cliffs – Australia’s highest. Striking dolerite spires rise from the Tasman Sea, culminating in capes Hauy, Pillar, and Raoul. All three capes can be explored from well-graded tracks, including on the renowned multi-day Three Capes Track, or via one of the 60 Great Short Walks to Cape Raoul or Cape Hauy. 

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Internationally acclaimed geological marvels abound within Tasman National Park, with the greatest heroes the soaring dolerite sea cliffs guarding the Park's eastern and southern boundaries. These cliffs end defiantly in the majestic capes of Pillar, Hauy and Raoul. Elsewhere, less resistant sandstones and mudstones are sculpted into extraordinary features such as Tasman Arch, The Blowhole, and Remarkable Cave.

The Park's varied coastline and offshore islands provide abundant habitats for marine life. Australian fur seals, little penguins, whales, dolphins and a plethora of fish and marine invertebrates flourish in the rich waters, fed by the upwelling of nutrients provided by the meeting of ocean currents and proximity to the continental shelf. On offshore islands, and around the capes, seals haul out and seabirds nest.

For such a tiny corner of the State, it's an impressive fact that over one third of Tasmania's plant species grow in this geographically isolated area, including more than sixty threatened species. Eucalypt forests, heathlands, moorlands, cliffs, beaches and offshore islands provide a diversity of habitats for an equally rich and diverse wildlife.

Birdlife is abundant, with several threatened species finding sanctuary, including the swift parrot, hooded plover, wedge-tailed eagle and white-bellied sea eagle. And the usual suite of Tasmanian mammals (wallabies, wombats, quolls, bettongs, potoroos, antechinus, bandicoots, and possums) is now in company with an ever-increasing healthy population of Tasmanian devils. Learn more about the conservation efforts of our devils on the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program website.

For more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife.

Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals.


The Tasman Peninsula is within the homelands of the Pydairerme clan of the Oyster Bay nation. These people favoured the coastal bays to camp, where they feasted on the ocean's bounty. They also travelled to inland areas of the peninsulas and carried out a variety of social, cultural, economic and spiritual activities. 

The Tasman Peninsula contains a number of significant sites, mainly in the form of middens, quarries and artefact scatters. The Park and adjacent reserves are considered an area of high cultural significance because of the diversity of Aboriginal sites present.   

These sites and the greater landscape have a strong and continuing connection to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. 

The early 1800s saw the arrival of whalers and sealers, who'd come to exploit the abundant marine mammals for their oil. Shortly after, by 1830, this industry was shut down, for the Tasman Peninsula was set to become a prison for hundreds of convicts transported from Britain. The peninsula's peculiar geography and geology guaranteed it the perfect choice: isolated by a narrow isthmus and foreboding sea cliffs, sheltered bays for anchoring, rich with tall timbers for shipbuilding, and soft sandstones for shaping into a settlement.

By the turn of the twentieth century, convict transportation ceased, and the peninsulas returned to free settlement, opening its doors to sawyers, farmers, fishermen and tourists.

These days, the peninsula's cultural heritage is as renowned as its natural beauty. Outside the Park, numerous sites are scattered around the peninsula, including two of Australia's World Heritage convict sites – Port Arthur and the Coal Mines. Within the park, at Eaglehawk Neck, visit the Officer's Quarters beside the famous dogline. It was here that a line of fierce dogs was tethered across the narrow isthmus, guaranteed to change the minds of intending escapees. 

Tasman National Park map Buy a map from TasMap

​Tasman National Park is located in the south-eastern corner of Tasmania. It's a 90-minute drive on sealed roads from Hobart via Sorell on the A3, and then the A9 (Arthur Highway) toward Port Arthur. The park straddles both the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas, however most of its accessible features are on the Tasman Peninsula.

After passing the Dogline on Eaglehawk Neck, the northern sites of Pirates Bay, Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, the Blowhole and the Waterfall Bay Great Short Walk can be accessed via Blowhole Rod (C338.) The road is unsealed and there is limited parking. 

Waterfall Bay Road also provides access to the Tasman Coastal Trail, where walkers can journey south to Fortescue Bay.

​​​​​To reach Fortescue Bay from Eaglehawk Neck, continue along the A9 towards Port Arthur ​until you reach the junction with C344. Follow the C344 until you reach Fortescue Bay. This is a 12km drive along an unsealed road but is suitable for 2WD vehicles and mountain bikes. Beware of towing vehicles, delivery trucks and tour buses. Keep to the left of the road particularly on blind corners.

Access to the south-western part of the park is also via the Arthur Highway (A9), then following Safety Cove Rd at Port Arthur township to access Remarkable Cave and walking tracks to Maingon Blowhole, Mount Brown and Crescent Bay. Further west, on the road to Nubeena, the access to the Cape Raoul Great Short Walk, Shipstern Bluff and Tunnel Bay leave the Arthur Highway at Highcroft Road, which turns into Stormlea Road.

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

With the exception of designated areas in the Fortescue Bay campground, Tasman National Park is a Fuel Stove Only area and campfires are not permitted. 

To find out what fuel stoves are permitted see the Fuel Stove Only area page.

See Campfires and fire restrictions to find out what is permitted and where.

Numerous accommodation and eating options are available on the Forestier and Tasman peninsulas.

Fortescue Bay has limited food available at the campground office.

Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our know before you go section.

There are four major attractions in this area and all the lookouts are within a 1 km drive of each other. 

Tasman Arch & Devils Kitchen – the walking tracks that lead to these attractions and lookouts are relatively wide and flat, although in some areas the gradient increases, and the surface is a little uneven. Wheelchair users may require assistance.

Tasman Blowhole – this relatively wide loop track has some small inclines and does contain some stairs.  Views of the blowhole are accessible from the gravel track, and the lookout provided has a level board surface.  

Fossil Bay – this short gravel walking track has a steeper gradient with a step leading to the lookout at the top.  These track features may make accessibility for wheelchair users more difficult and assistance may be required.

There are accessible toilets at the Blowhole, although assistance may be required with the path leading from the carpark to the toilet block.

Experiences in Tasman National Park

4 hours return, 10km return, Grade 3

Visitors to Bivouc Bay, in Tasman National Park, can enjoy a peaceful, coastal walk starting from the white sands of Fortescue Bay.

Tasman National Park

Bivouac Bay

Visitors to Bivouc Bay, in Tasman National Park, can enjoy a peaceful, coastal walk starting from the white sands of Fortescue Bay.

4 hours return, 10km return, Grade 3
Read more
Ocean view from Canoe Bay, Tasman National Park
2 hours return, 2km one way, Grade 3

Stroll the length of Fortescue Bay Beach, scramble around the headland, and descend into the Canoe Bay. Easy. Picturesque. Perfect.

Tasman National Park

Canoe Bay

Stroll the length of Fortescue Bay Beach, scramble around the headland, and descend into the Canoe Bay. Easy. Picturesque. Perfect.

2 hours return, 2km one way, Grade 3
Read more

1 current alerts

4 hours return, 9.4km return, Grade 3

The Cape Hauy Track starts from Fortescue Bay. The walk passes through a variety of heath and woodland before opening out to spectacular cliffs with magnificent coastal views.

Tasman National Park

Cape Hauy

1 current alerts

The Cape Hauy Track starts from Fortescue Bay. The walk passes through a variety of heath and woodland before opening out to spectacular cliffs with magnificent coastal views.

4 hours return, 9.4km return, Grade 3
Read more
5 hours return, 14km, Grade 4

Stunning coastal seascapes that include rock platforms, towering cliffs and columns, off-shore islands and swirling seas. Take your lunch, spend some time and gaze in awe at majestic views.

Tasman National Park

Cape Raoul

Stunning coastal seascapes that include rock platforms, towering cliffs and columns, off-shore islands and swirling seas. Take your lunch, spend some time and gaze in awe at majestic views.

5 hours return, 14km, Grade 4
Read more
4 hours return, 7.5 km return, Grade 3

A beautiful coastal walk on the southern coast of the Tasman Peninsula

Tasman National Park

Crescent Bay

A beautiful coastal walk on the southern coast of the Tasman Peninsula

4 hours return, 7.5 km return, Grade 3
Read more
Fishing on the rocks at Friendly Beaches, Freycinet National Park

Tasmania has a wealth of excellent inland and ocean fishing locations where you can cast your line.

Statewide

Fishing

Tasmania has a wealth of excellent inland and ocean fishing locations where you can cast your line.

Read more
1 hour, 3.3 km return, Grade 2

The walk to Maingon Blowhole is an easy coastal walk that takes in breathtaking sea views and coastal vegetation before arriving at the blowhole; a deep crevice offering a glimpse into the collapsed sea cave below.

Tasman National Park

Maingon Blowhole

The walk to Maingon Blowhole is an easy coastal walk that takes in breathtaking sea views and coastal vegetation before arriving at the blowhole; a deep crevice offering a glimpse into the collapsed sea cave below.

1 hour, 3.3 km return, Grade 2
Read more
4 hours return, 8 km return, Grade 3

Enjoy views of the Southern Ocean from this coastal walk to Mount Brown.

Tasman National Park

Mount Brown

Enjoy views of the Southern Ocean from this coastal walk to Mount Brown.

4 hours return, 8 km return, Grade 3
Read more
Group rafting on the Franklin River

Tasmania’s oceans and rivers have a well-deserved reputation as some of the cleanest in the world, and what better way to explore these wondrous waterways than up-close and self-propelled.

Statewide

Rafting and kayaking

Tasmania’s oceans and rivers have a well-deserved reputation as some of the cleanest in the world, and what better way to explore these wondrous waterways than up-close and self-propelled.

Read more
15 minutes return, TBC, Grade 3

Follow the steep steps to the viewing platform for this spectacular sea cave.

Tasman National Park

Remarkable Cave

Follow the steep steps to the viewing platform for this spectacular sea cave.

15 minutes return, TBC, Grade 3
Read more
Beachside snorkelling

Bring your wetsuit, mask and fins to discover the underwater life.

Statewide

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Bring your wetsuit, mask and fins to discover the underwater life.

Read more
Walker on the Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park
2-3 days return or circuit, 29 km return via Old Cape Pillar track; 34km circuit via Mount Fortescue and Cape Hauy, Grade 3

Cape Pillar is a hero destination. The journey ticks all the boxes. Doable. Colourful. Fragrant. Varied. Magnificent. Powerful. Intimate. You’ll run out of adjectives – we do.

Tasman National Park

Tasman Cape Pillar

Cape Pillar is a hero destination. The journey ticks all the boxes. Doable. Colourful. Fragrant. Varied. Magnificent. Powerful. Intimate. You’ll run out of adjectives – we do.

2-3 days return or circuit, 29 km return via Old Cape Pillar track; 34km circuit via Mount Fortescue and Cape Hauy, Grade 3
Read more
Walkers taking a break on the Tasman Coastal Trail, Tasman National Park
8 hours one way, 19kms one way, Grade 4

A sensational cliff-top journey between Devils Kitchen and Fortescue Bay on Tasmania’s south-east rim. Plunging sea cliffs, abundant wildlife, colourful and fragrant bushland, and fresh, salt-smacked air.

Tasman National Park

Tasman Coastal Trail

A sensational cliff-top journey between Devils Kitchen and Fortescue Bay on Tasmania’s south-east rim. Plunging sea cliffs, abundant wildlife, colourful and fragrant bushland, and fresh, salt-smacked air.

8 hours one way, 19kms one way, Grade 4
Read more

1 current alerts

4 day, 3 night hut based experience, 48km, Grade 3

Over four days and three nights, walkers will cover the 48 kilometres, taking in tall eucalypt forests, coastal heath and Australia’s highest sea cliffs.

Tasman National Park

Three Capes Track

1 current alerts

Over four days and three nights, walkers will cover the 48 kilometres, taking in tall eucalypt forests, coastal heath and Australia’s highest sea cliffs.

4 day, 3 night hut based experience, 48km, Grade 3
Read more
1-1.5 hours return, 3.4km return, Grade 3

Vantage points that show cliffs plummeting into the sea and swirling ocean waters make this an exciting coastal walk within the Tasman National Park.

Tasman National Park

Waterfall Bay

Vantage points that show cliffs plummeting into the sea and swirling ocean waters make this an exciting coastal walk within the Tasman National Park.

1-1.5 hours return, 3.4km return, Grade 3
Read more

Accommodation

Stay Overnight

  • Bivouac Bay Camping

Bivouac Bay campgrounds provide a peaceful location to rest upon exploring Fortescue Bay, the magnificent coastal bushwalks and abundance of other activities available within the Tasman National Park.

Bookings and more info

Bivouac Bay Camping

  • Fortescue Bay camping

Towering forest meets crashing ocean, trimmed with a rim of soft, white sand. Wallabies bounce, birds chatter and the fish are biting. Just a few reasons Fortescue Bay campgrounds are some of our favourites.

Bookings and more info
CHildren riding bikes around Fortescue Bay campgrounds, Tasman National Park

Fortescue Bay camping

Gallery

Tasman National Park

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off the coast of Cape Hauy, Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off the coast of Cape Hauy, Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park

Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus), Tasman National Park.

Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus), Tasman National Park.

Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), Tasman National Park.

Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii), Tasman National Park.