National park · Australia
Tasman National Park
Base at Port Arthur or Eaglehawk Neck and give the park one full day: drive the C338 to the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen in the morning, then walk Cape Raoul (5 h return) or the Waterfall Bay track in the afternoon. Skip the park entirely if you have no parks pass and no time for a 3-hour walk — the short coastal stops are the only thing you get without one.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
108 km² (42 sq mi)42 sq mi (108 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–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
- 108 km² (42 sq mi)42 sq mi (108 km²)
- About 107 km² of land plus a marine extension; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Tasman National Park covers the southern tip of the Tasman Peninsula, an hour and a half south-east of Hobart. Its dolerite sea cliffs — Cape Pillar and the columns off Tasman Island — are among the highest coastal cliffs in the world, and the park is the eastern end of the Three Capes Track. Most visitors see it in half a day from a car, stopping at the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and Remarkable Cave. The serious walking — Cape Raoul, Cape Hauy, the Waterfall Bay track — needs a full day and a Tasmanian parks pass.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
108 km² (42 sq mi)42 sq mi (108 km²) · national park since 1999
About 107 km² of land plus a marine extension; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Dolerite sea cliffs up to about 300 m — Cape Pillar and the columns off Tasman Island are the headline.
- Cape Raoul is one of the best half-day coastal walks in Tasmania and needs no booking.
- The short stops — Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen, Remarkable Cave — fit into a Port Arthur day without a long walk.
- Seals, dolphins and (in season) whales are visible from the cliff tops, not from a boat.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanLong days, warm; book Port Arthur accommodation early
- FebMost settled month; dry tracks
- MarMild, fewer people after school holidays
- AprCool and often clear; shorter days
- MayWet and windy; tracks muddy
- JunCold, short daylight; sleet possible on the clifftops
- JulColdest month; wind chill on exposed tracks
- AugCold and wet; whales start passing offshore
- SepWildflowers, whales, changeable weather
- OctWhale season peaks; tracks drying
- NovWarm, long days, wildflowers
- DecWarm but busy; strong afternoon wind
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback and southern right whales offshoreMay–Nov · Peak September–October; visible from Cape Raoul and Cape Hauy on clear days. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Australian fur seals and occasional leopard and elephant sealsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Little penguins coming ashore at duskSep–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wombats, wallabies and pademelons on the tracksAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk; drive slowly at night. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wedge-tailed eagles and white-bellied sea eaglesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Hobart
Drive the A3 and A9 via Sorell and Dunalley to the Tasman Peninsula, then the C338 or C347.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Port Arthur
C347 south to the Remarkable Cave and Safety Cove turn-offs; C338 north-east to Eaglehawk Neck.
10–20 min
From Eaglehawk Neck
C338 south to the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen.
10 min
From Tasman Field Centre, Taranna
5803 Arthur Highway; stop for maps, passes and track conditions.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Eaglehawk Neck sites | Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen on the C338; short boardwalk stops. | Open; parks pass required. |
| Safety Cove and Remarkable Cave | Maingon Bay Lookout, Remarkable Cave and the Maingon Blowhole track. | Open; stairs and steep sections. |
| Cape Raoul | The western clifftop walk to a lookout over the sea stacks. | Open; long day walk, no booking. |
| Cape Hauy and the Three Capes Track | The eastern cliffs, Cape Pillar and Tasman Island views. | Cape Hauy is a day walk; the full Three Capes Track is booked. |
| Fortescue Bay | Campground, beach and the end of the Three Capes Track. | Open; camping fee. |
Sketch map
- 1Tasman Field Centre, Taranna · Headquarters≈-43.044, 147.867Passes, maps and track conditions.Map ↗
- 2Eaglehawk Neck (Blowhole, Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen) · Gate≈-43.033, 147.933Map ↗
- 3Maingon Bay Lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.188, 147.845Map ↗
- 4Remarkable Cave · Cave≈-43.187, 147.844Map ↗
- 5Cape Raoul lookout · Viewpoint≈-43.208, 147.776Map ↗
- 6Fortescue Bay · Beach≈-43.150, 147.950Campground and the end of the Three Capes Track.Map ↗
- 7Port Arthur · Town≈-43.145, 147.850Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the Tasman Peninsula, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmanian parks pass (day, per vehicle) | AUD 45 (≈ US$30) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers the whole state's parks for 24 hours (check current rate). |
| Tasmanian parks pass (annual, per vehicle) | AUD 90 (≈ US$60) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; worth it if you visit Cradle Mountain or Freycinet too (check). |
| Tasmanian parks pass (annual, per person, walkers and cyclists) | AUD 45 (≈ US$30) | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Fortescue Bay camping | AUD 13–16 (≈ US$9–11) | night | 2026 estimate: about A$13 for two people, A$5 per extra adult, A$2.50 per child 5–17, A$16 per family (check). |
| Three Capes Track (3 nights, guided lodge walk) | Free | person | Booked and priced by the operator; the self-guided version is a ballot — check before planning. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tasmanian parks pass permit or guide
Three Capes Track permit or guide
Cape Raoul and Cape Hauy no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$45≈ US$30
- A$90≈ US$60
- A$45≈ US$30
- A$13–16≈ US$9–11
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Tasman National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Parks pass
- Every vehicle entering the park needs a current Tasmanian parks pass; buy it before you arrive.
- Cliff edges
- Stay behind barriers and do not approach the edge for photos; the dolerite crumbles and the wind is strong.
- Drones
- Not allowed in Tasmanian national parks without a permit (check).check
- Camping
- Only at the Fortescue Bay campground; no camping on the clifftops or at Cape Raoul.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or handle wildlife; keep 5 m from seals and penguins.
- Fires and rubbish
- No fires outside designated fireplaces; carry out everything you bring in.
Where to stay
Near the park
Port Arthur
Motels, guesthouses and the historic-site cottages; 10–20 min from the park's southern tracks.
Near the park
Eaglehawk Neck and Taranna
Small lodges and holiday houses close to the C338 sites.
In the park
Fortescue Bay campground
The only camping in the park; two campgrounds near the beach, book ahead in summer.
In the park
Cape Pillar Lodge
Lodge accommodation for walkers on the Three Capes Track only.
Safety
Wind and cold on exposed clifftops high
Slippery tracks after rain medium
No phone signal on the long walks medium
Wildlife on the road at night medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The C338 boardwalk stops at the Blowhole, Tasman Arch and Devil's Kitchen are short and mostly level.
- Remarkable Cave involves a long staircase; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Cape Raoul and Cape Hauy are rough, long and exposed; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the formed track; the clifftop vegetation is fragile and slow to recover.
- Take all rubbish out — there are no bins on the long walks.
- Keep your distance from seals and penguins; disturbance at colonies is a real problem.
- Buy your parks pass; the money funds track maintenance in this park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tasman National Park?
There is no per-park ticket. You need a Tasmanian parks pass: about A$45 for a day per vehicle or about A$90 for an annual vehicle pass (2026 estimate, check current rates). Walkers and cyclists pay a lower per-person rate. Buy it online or at the Tasman Field Centre at Taranna before you drive in.
What are the best hikes in Tasman National Park?
Cape Raoul is the classic: about 14 km return, 4–5 hours, to a clifftop lookout over the sea stacks. Cape Hauy from Fortescue Bay is shorter and steeper at about 8 km return. The Waterfall Bay track links the clifftops near Devil's Kitchen and can be walked one way with a car shuffle. All three need a parks pass and a full day.
When is the best time to visit Tasman National Park?
November to March for warm, long days and the most settled weather. October and November add whale season and wildflowers. Winter is cold, wet and windy with short daylight, though the cliffs are dramatic in rough weather. Book Port Arthur accommodation well ahead in January and over Easter.
Do I need a parks pass for the Blowhole and Tasman Arch?
Yes. Those sites sit inside the national park even though they are a short drive from Eaglehawk Neck, so a current Tasmanian parks pass is required for the vehicle.
Can I see the Three Capes Track without booking?
No. The full Three Capes Track is a booked walk with lodge accommodation. You can walk the individual day sections — Cape Hauy from Fortescue Bay, or the Waterfall Bay track — without a booking, as long as you have a parks pass.
Is there anywhere to eat in the park?
No. There are no shops or cafes inside the park. The nearest food is at Port Arthur, Eaglehawk Neck or Taranna; carry water and food for any walk longer than an hour.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Tasman National Park
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Fortescue Bay camping
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Cape Raoul
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Remarkable Cave
- secondaryWikivoyage: Tasman National Park, revision 5234962 (CC BY-SA 4.0)