Park overview
Guide updated · verify Parks Tasmania for live track and closure status
Tasman National Park protects about 107 km² of the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas — dolerite sea cliffs, sea stacks, northern geology sites and Fortescue Bay — about 90 minutes from Hobart via Sorell (A3) then the Arthur Highway (A9). Most visitors sample one precinct, not the whole park: Eaglehawk Neck, Fortescue / Cape Hauy, Stormlea / Cape Raoul, or a booked Three Capes hut walk. Port Arthur Historic Site sits next door as a separate ticket.
Always verify live conditions on the official Parks Tasmania park page and alerts. This site is independent and unofficial. Desk research — not walked for this URL.
How to choose an area
First visit, limited time: Eaglehawk Neck geology. Arch/Kitchen may be closed in 2026 — Pavement + Blowhole + Waterfall Bay Road still work.
Signature day walk: Fortescue Bay for Cape Hauy (C344 unsealed, Parks Pass, ~4 hours Grade 3).
Longer, rougher cape: Cape Raoul from Stormlea — a different trailhead, not an add-on after Hauy.
Historic Site afternoon: Safety Cove Road for Remarkable Cave. Skip Mount Brown if the ticket already ate four hours. Not Cape Hauy.
Booked hut walk: Three Capes is a separate product. If you cannot book, walk Hauy or Raoul on a Parks Pass.
Recommended order on any day: pick one precinct → check Parks Pass vs camping vs Three Capes till → screenshot alerts (Arch/Kitchen 2026) → add one honest walk only → reverse before a dusk wildlife drive.
Geography in plain English
Think of the peninsula as a highway spine (A9) with four different front doors. C338 / Eaglehawk Neck is northern geology. C344 is Fortescue Bay and Cape Hauy (and the Three Capes finish). Highcroft / Stormlea is Cape Raoul. Safety Cove Road from Port Arthur township is Remarkable Cave and Crescent Bay. Mixing those doors in one Hobart day is how groups invent a 14-hour outing.
The national park holds the tracks, cliffs and Fortescue campground. Port Arthur Historic Site is World Heritage convict tourism with its own ticket. Three Capes uses the Historic Site for check-in and boat, then finishes at Fortescue — still not a day-walk permit. No useful public transport to Cape Hauy. Last fuel/shop: Sorell on the way from Hobart, then Port Arthur / Nubeena on the peninsula. Tasman Field Centre sits at Taranna (published 7 days, 10am–4pm — verify).
Area guides
Open an area for highlights, what not to get wrong, practical tips and related walks. Pair these with walks and itineraries once you know where you will stand.
Eaglehawk Neck & northern geology
Best for: Half-day geology from Hobart; Plan B when cape weather fails
The first-timer peninsula circuit: Tessellated Pavement, Blowhole, Tasmans Arch, Devils Kitchen and Waterfall Bay — if the 2026 Arch/Kitchen works allow. Parks Pass required. Unsealed Blowhole Road (C338), limited parking.
Open area guide →
Fortescue Bay
Best for: Cape Hauy day, overnight camping, Three Capes finish
The camping and Cape Hauy hub: unsealed C344, Parks Pass machine in the day-use car park, Banksia and Mill Creek camping (separate fee), boat ramp, token showers. Three Capes finishes here.
Open area guide →
Port Arthur, Remarkable Cave & Safety Cove
Best for: Combining a short geology stop with a Historic Site day — or Crescent Bay if you have a half day spare
South-western park access via Safety Cove Road: Remarkable Cave, Maingon Blowhole, Mount Brown, Crescent Bay. Three Capes check-in is at the Historic Site — a separate ticket from the Parks Pass.
Open area guide →
Cape Raoul & Stormlea
Best for: Experienced walkers with a full day and no Cape Hauy stacked on top
Grade 4 cape day from Stormlea Road. Shipstern Bluff context on this western access. Different trailhead from Fortescue.
Open area guide →
Three Capes Track (booked)
Best for: People who booked months ahead and want hut-to-hut sea cliffs
48 km, 4 days, 3 nights, Grade 3, max 48 walkers/day. Boat from Port Arthur, bus from Fortescue. Not a day-walk permit.
Open area guide →