National park · Australia
Kent Group National Park
Go only if you own or charter a seaworthy boat and can pick a settled Bass Strait window: anchor at Deal or Erith Island, walk the lighthouse and cliff tracks, and expect no facilities, no ferry and fewer than 1,000 visitors a year.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
313 km²121 sq mi
approximate
Established
1971
Best months
Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10
- 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.
- Tasmania ↗Most national parks charge a per-vehicle entry; a holiday pass covers multiple parks for one vehicle — check current prices and buy before you drive in.
- Tasmania ↗Rental cars generally may not cross on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry and may not be driven on unsealed roads unless the vehicle is a 4WD.
- Tasmania ↗Wildlife is active between dusk and dawn; the state advises about 65 km/h after dark and lower on the Tasman Peninsula.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 313 km²121 sq mi
- About 23.74 km² is land and roughly 290 km² is marine park.
- Established
- 1971
- Best months
- Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
The Kent Group is the northernmost national park in Tasmania: three main islands (Deal, Erith and Dover) plus the Judgement Rocks, sitting in Bass Strait about halfway between Wilsons Promontory and Flinders Island, inside the federal Beagle Marine Park. Only about 24 km² is land; the rest of the park is sea. It is a haul-out for Australian and long-nosed fur seals, a breeding site for seabirds, and home to the tallest lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere. There is no public transport, no mooring at the East Cove jetty, no rubbish bins and no toilets. Access is by private boat or a chartered trip, usually staged from Flinders Island or Wilsons Promontory.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandThe Kent Group islands are listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
Size and age
313 km²121 sq mi · national park since 1971
About 23.74 km² is land and roughly 290 km² is marine park.
Why go
- A lighthouse from 1848 that is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, with a small museum beside it.
- Seal haul-outs and seabird colonies on islands that see fewer than a thousand people a year.
- Genuine solitude: on many days you will not see another boat.
- Walking country with no tracks to speak of, so you navigate the cliffs and heath yourself.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarmest sea; settled spells, but watch for summer fronts
- FebMost reliable window for a Bass Strait crossing
- MarMild and often calm; fewer boats about
- AprCooling; fronts return
- MayGales and big swell more frequent
- JunWinter storms; short days, no shelter ashore
- JulColdest and roughest month for small craft
- AugSqually; landing on the rocks is risky
- SepImproving but still unsettled
- OctSeabirds nesting; weather mixed
- NovGood walking temperatures and calmer seas
- DecWarm; book charters early for the holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian and long-nosed fur sealsAll year · Present year-round on the rocks; pupping peaks in summer. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Seabirds nesting (including little penguins and shearwaters)Oct–Mar · Keep to the shoreline and do not walk through burrow areas after dark. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory waders and ternsMar–Apr, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Kelp and reef life in the marine parkNov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Flinders Island (Whitemark)
Private or chartered boat across about 55 km of open Bass Strait; no public service runs to the islands.Private or chartered boat across about 34 mi of open Bass Strait; no public service runs to the islands.
3–5 h
Open the page →
From Wilsons Promontory, Victoria
Longer open-water crossing for well-found boats, usually staged with a weather window.
6–9 h
From Hobart or Launceston
Fly or drive to Flinders Island first, then arrange a boat; there is no road or ferry link to the park.
1–2 days
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Deal Island | The largest island, with the 1848 lighthouse, the Kent Group Museum and the old keeper's settlement. | Land by dinghy on the beach or rocks; no jetty berthing. |
| Erith Island | The middle island, with a sheltered anchorage and heath walking toward the Murray Pass. | Anchor and go ashore; no facilities. |
| Dover Island and the Judgement Rocks | Steep, exposed islands used by seals and seabirds. | Landing is difficult and often not possible; keep well clear of colonies. |
| Marine park | The surrounding sea inside Beagle Marine Park, with reefs, kelp and seal haul-outs. | Open to boats; fishing rules follow the marine park zoning (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Deal Island lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-39.494, 147.3221848 tower, tallest in the Southern Hemisphere; museum beside it.Map ↗
- 2East Cove jetty, Deal Island · Ranger station≈-39.488, 147.340Public jetty; mooring not allowed.Map ↗
- 3Erith Island anchorage · Sleep≈-39.450, 147.290Sheltered anchorage used by visiting boats.Map ↗
- 4Murray Pass · Trail≈-39.455, 147.300Low saddle between Deal and Erith; rough walking.Map ↗
- 5Dover Island · Summit≈-39.430, 147.260Steep island; landing usually not possible.Map ↗
- 6Flinders Island (Whitemark) · Town≈-40.090, 148.010Nearest base with services, about 55 km northwest.Nearest base with services, about 34 mi northwest.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 is charged for this park; you pay for your own boat or charter. |
| Chartered boat from Flinders Island or Wilsons Promontory | AUD 2,000–6,000 (≈ US$1,400–4,000) | group | 2026 estimate; day rate for a suitable vessel and skipper, weather dependent. |
| Tasmanian national park pass | Free | vehicle | Holiday passes apply to parks with fees; this park charges none, so a pass is not needed here. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Mooring at East Cove jetty permit or guide
Commercial charter or research landing permit or guide
Park rules
- No facilities
- There are no toilets, no bins, no water and no shelter on the islands; carry everything in and take everything out.
- Mooring
- Mooring is not allowed at the public jetty on East Cove; anchor at Deal or Erith Island instead.
- Wildlife distance
- Do not land on or approach seal haul-outs and seabird colonies; keep a wide berth by boat and dinghy.
- Fires
- No fires on the islands; use a stove on board and do not cut vegetation.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.check
- Fishing
- Recreational fishing is governed by the Beagle Marine Park and Tasmanian rules; check zoning before you drop a line.check
Where to stay
In the park
Your own boat
Anchoring at Deal or Erith Island is the only way to stay in the park; there is no accommodation ashore.
Near the park
Flinders Island
The nearest beds, shops and fuel, about 55 km northwest; use it as the staging base.The nearest beds, shops and fuel, about 34 mi northwest; use it as the staging base.
Near the park
Wilsons Promontory area
Alternative mainland staging point in Victoria for a longer crossing.
Safety
Bass Strait weather high
Landing by dinghy high
No help nearby high
Exposed walking medium
Cold water medium
Accessibility
- There is no jetty berthing, no formed path and no accessible landing; the park is not suitable for limited mobility.
- The lighthouse and museum sit above rough ground reached on foot from the shore.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish back to Flinders Island or the mainland; nothing is collected on the islands.
- Keep well clear of seal haul-outs and nesting burrows, and do not fly drones over colonies.
- Anchor on sand where possible and avoid dragging chain across reef.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kent Group National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee and no ticket gate; the real cost is your own boat or a chartered crossing, which runs into thousands of Australian dollars for a group (2026 estimate). A Tasmanian holiday pass is not needed here because the park charges no fee.
What are the best hikes in Kent Group National Park?
There are no formed tracks. The two realistic walks are the climb from the shore to the Deal Island lighthouse and museum, and the rough heath crossing over Murray Pass to Erith Island. Both are unmarked, so take a map and compass and expect uneven rock and scrub.
When is the best time to visit Kent Group National Park?
January to March gives the most settled Bass Strait weather and the warmest sea, with November and December also good. June to August is the worst window for small boats, with frequent gales and short days.
How do you get to Kent Group National Park?
By private or chartered boat only. There is no ferry and no airstrip. Most trips stage from Flinders Island, about 55 km northwest, or make the longer crossing from Wilsons Promontory in Victoria.
Can you stay overnight in the park?
Only on your boat. There is no accommodation, camping area, toilet or water on the islands, so most visitors anchor at Deal or Erith Island and sleep aboard.
Are there toilets or rubbish bins on the islands?
No. There are no facilities of any kind, so carry out everything you bring and plan to manage without a toilet ashore.
Can you moor at the jetty?
Mooring is not allowed at the public jetty on East Cove; anchor at Deal or Erith Island instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go