Tasman National Park

Tasman National Park is on the Tasman Peninsula, part of Tasmania near Port Arthur known for its coastal scenery. The park is home to the columnar dolerite cliffs at Cape Pillar and Tasman Island, perched at 300 meters high, these are some of the highest in the world.

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Numerous mammals can be found in the national park and species such as the red-bellied filander, the red-necked wallaby and the wombat have become more common ever since the park was protected. While the Tasmanian devil and the spotted marten were more common in the past, it's now believed that they only live in a smaller population in parts of the park.

On the coasts you can observe the South African fur seal, leopard seal and elephant seal. The waters are also frequented by dolphins of various species, pilot whales, southern capers and humpback whales.

Due to the diverse habitats, numerous species of birds also find their habitat here. These include the little penguin, the endangered species Thinornis rubricollis (a plover) and the wedge-tailed eagle and the white-bellied sea eagle.

Climate

Visitor information centre

Tasman Field Centre, 5803 Arthur Highway, Taranna, -43.043536°, 147.866721°, +61 3 6250 3980, TasmanNP@parks.tas.gov.au. 2021-12-05

Get in

The park is a quick and easy drive from Port Arthur by simply just taking the C347 down south, until you're eventually there at the park.

Fees and permits

Get around

See

Remarkable Cave, 7182/446 Safety Cove Rd, -43.18728°, 147.844409°. This sea cavern (not cave, despite its name) may look like any other sea cavern, but when you look at it closely, you'll see the gap looks exactly like the shape of Tasmania but without its many peninsulas on all sides. Getting to the cavern's lookout is a 15-minute walk (return) from Maingon Bay Lookout but has many stairs that you will need to walk up on return. 2021-12-05
Maingon Blowhole, Mount Brown Track, -43.195246°, 147.85337°. While much less well-known than neighbouring Remarkable Cave, if you're into photography, this blowhole is well worth a visit. Visiting the blowhole requires a one-hour walk (return) from Maingon Bay Lookout, but note that sections of the trail are steep and slippery, especially after rainfall. 2021-12-05
Maingon Bay Lookout, Safety Cove Rd, -43.187988°, 147.84519°. 2021-12-05
Cape Raoul Lookout, Cape Raoul Track, -43.20837°, 147.77576°. 2021-12-05

Do

Buy

Eat

There are no places to eat, and the nearest are in Port Arthur.

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

Cape Pillar Lodge, Cape Pillar Track, Port Arthur (No specified address. Just in the southeast areas of the cove), -43.202573°, 147.969265°, +61 3 6392 2211. Lodge only available for those that choose to walk the Three Capes Track. 2021-12-05

Camping

Fortescue Bay. It's the final point of the Three Capes Track and is the only officially designated camping spot. There's two campgrounds to choose from, both not far apart from each other. $13 for 2 people (minimum fee), $5 for each additional adult 18+, $2.50 for each additional child (5-17). $16 per family (2 adults, 3 children) 2022-01-13

Tasman National Park - national park in Australia