National park · Australia
Rocky Cape National Parkpinmatik (palawa kani)
Give Rocky Cape half a day, not a full one: walk the 600 m North Cave and Lighthouse trail first, then the 10 km circuit to Tinkers Lookout if the weather holds; entry is free, so the only cost is the 40 km drive from Burnie.Give Rocky Cape half a day, not a full one: walk the 600 m North Cave and Lighthouse trail first, then the 6.2 mi circuit to Tinkers Lookout if the weather holds; entry is free, so the only cost is the 25 mi drive from Burnie.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
31 km²12 sq mi
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 31 km²12 sq mi
- Small coastal park; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- Not needed
Rocky Cape is a small, free national park on the northwest coast of Tasmania, about 40 km west of Burnie on sealed roads. It is coastal heathland over old rock: more than 40 orchid species have been recorded, and the cliffs and caves hold Aboriginal sites that are sacred and closed to entry. Walks run from 10-minute cave visits to a 15 km inland traverse. There is no entry fee, no gate and no campground in the park, so most visitors base themselves in Burnie, Wynyard or Stanley and drive in for a morning.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1967.
Size and age
31 km²12 sq mi · national park since 1967
Small coastal park; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Free entry and no booking: turn up at the end of Sister Beach Road and walk.
- North Cave and South Cave are rare, protected Aboriginal shelter sites — viewed from outside, not entered.
- The 10 km circuit reaches Tinkers Lookout and 291 m of elevation on a coast that looks flat from the highway.The 6.2 mi circuit reaches Tinkers Lookout and 291 m of elevation on a coast that looks flat from the highway.
- Spring and early summer bring heathland and orchid flowering across the headlands.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarm, dry; long daylight
- FebWarm and settled
- MarMild; fewer people
- AprCooler, changeable
- MayWet and windy; short days
- JunCold, wet, rough seas
- JulColdest and wettest
- AugStill wet; gales common
- SepWildflowers start; showers
- OctOrchids and heath in flower
- NovWarm, dry, flowers out
- DecWarm; busiest local weekends
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orchids and heathland wildflowersSep–Dec · Over 40 orchid species recorded in the park. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coastal heath in full bloomOct–Jan · Low wind- and salt-tolerant shrubs; some species germinate after fire. | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Shorebirds and seabirds on the rocksSep–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Snakes active in warm heathNov–Mar · Watch where you step off-track. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Burnie
A2 Bass Highway west about 30 km to Boat Harbour, then C232 Sister Beach Road to the end.A2 Bass Highway west about 19 mi to Boat Harbour, then C232 Sister Beach Road to the end.
40–50 min
Open the page →
From Wynyard
Bass Highway west to Boat Harbour, then C232 to the park entrance.
25–35 min
From Stanley
B21 east to the Bass Highway, then C232 via Boat Harbour.
45–60 min
From Western Tasmania plan
Where Rocky Cape fits between Burnie, Stanley and the west coast.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse and north coast | Rocky Cape Lighthouse (1968) and the start of the North Cave and Lighthouse trail. | Open; walk in from the road end. |
| North Cave and South Cave | Aboriginal rock shelters with shell and bone deposits. | Track only; do not enter the caves. |
| Inland heath and Tinkers Lookout | Ridges, heathland and the high point of the circuit at about 291 m. | Open on foot; no facilities. |
| Coastline and rock platforms | Exposed cliffs and platforms along the Bass Strait edge. | Open; stay back from edges and off wet rock. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance, end of Sister Beach Road · Gate≈-40.898, 145.536Approximate.Map ↗
- 2Rocky Cape Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-40.855, 145.508Map ↗
- 3North Cave · Cave≈-40.858, 145.512Approximate; view from the track only.Map ↗
- 4South Cave · Cave≈-40.890, 145.520Approximate; view from the track only.Map ↗
- 5Tinkers Lookout · Viewpoint≈-40.880, 145.530Approximate; about 291 m.Map ↗
- 6Boat Harbour · Town≈-40.940, 145.630Approximate; nearest services.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee and no gate at Rocky Cape; Tasmanian parks that do charge are listed on the parks pass page. |
| Parks pass (only needed for parks that charge) | AUD 45–100 | vehicle or person | 2026 estimate; Rocky Cape itself is free (check current Tasmanian pass rates). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Cave access no permit
Park rules
- Caves
- Do not enter North Cave or South Cave; they are sacred Aboriginal sites and signs mark the closure.
- Rock collecting
- Do not remove rock, shell or bone material from the park or the cave sites.
- Fires
- No campfires or stoves outside designated areas; the heath burns easily.
- Camping
- There is no campground in the park; sleep in Burnie, Wynyard, Boat Harbour or Stanley.
- Dogs
- Not permitted in the national park; leave pets at your accommodation.
Where to stay
Near the park
Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach
Closest bases, a few minutes from the park entrance.
Near the park
Burnie
Largest choice of motels, hotels and hostels, about 40 km east.Largest choice of motels, hotels and hostels, about 25 mi east.
Near the park
Stanley
Historic village with guesthouses, 45–60 min west.
Safety
Exposed coastal weather medium
Slippery rock and cliff edges medium
No phone signal in parts of the park low
Snakes in warm months low
Accessibility
- The road-end area and the first section of the North Cave and Lighthouse trail are short and mostly level, but the surface is unsealed and uneven.
- The circuit, Inland Track and Coastal Route cross rough heath and are not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on formed tracks; heathland and orchid populations recover slowly from trampling.
- Do not enter or touch the cave sites — the deposits are irreplaceable.
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins at the road end.
- Park only in the marked area so the road end stays clear for residents.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rocky Cape National Park?
Nothing. Rocky Cape has no entry fee, no gate and no booking system, so the cost of a visit is the drive from Burnie, Wynyard or Stanley. Tasmanian parks that do charge use the state parks pass system.
What are the best hikes in Rocky Cape National Park?
For most visitors the 600 m North Cave and Lighthouse trail is the best short walk, with South Cave (200 m) as a second stop. The 10 km Rocky Cape Circuit, with a side track to Tinkers Lookout, is the best half-day walk. The 15 km Inland Track and the Coastal Route are longer one-way options for fitter walkers.
When is the best time to visit Rocky Cape National Park?
October to March. Spring and early summer bring the heathland and orchid flowering, and the days are long and drier. June to August is cold, wet and windy, and the coastal tracks are at their worst.
Can I go inside the caves?
No. North Cave and South Cave are protected Aboriginal sites and entry is not permitted; signs at the sites ask visitors to stay outside. You can see them from the track.
Is there camping in the park?
No. Rocky Cape has no campground. Stay in Boat Harbour, Sisters Beach, Wynyard, Burnie or Stanley and drive in for the day.
Do I need a parks pass?
Not for Rocky Cape, because it does not charge entry. If you are also visiting parks that do charge, buy the relevant Tasmanian pass before you go.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go