For such a small area, the Tasman Region offers plenty of amazing spots. Crossing the Dunalley bridge marks your entry into a historic Tasmanian region filled with award-winning hospitality and endless escapes for families and friends.
After crossing the bridge, Dunalley Bay on your right offers spectacular sunsets. To your left, Blackman Bay looks across to Marion Bay and Maria Island just beyond it. This is the Forestier Peninsula and is home to award winning wines, bush adventures, secret coves and the welcoming communities of Murdunna and Sommers Bay.
Further south, Eaglehawk Neck and Pirates Bay introduce stunning beaches, historical sites, world-renowned bush walks, and exceptional food and drink. This area boasts the famous Tessellated Pavement, Doo Town, Waterfall Bay, Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen. For sunrise lovers, this spot is ideal.
The eastern Peninsula offers the Tasman Unzoo (where you can come face to face with real Tasmanian Devils), dining, and access to the breathtaking Fortescue Bay and two of the Three Capes award winning hikes.
With spectacular natural beauty, historical sites, ample accommodation and many places to eat, drink and enjoy local art and culture, the southern Peninsula is the region's heart. Here generations of families and friends have grown up, spent their summer holidays and millions of visitors have connected with a community that’s well known for its welcoming spirit and warm hospitality.
The western Peninsula's rolling hills and fantastic historic sites like the Coal Mines blend with serene retreats at Norfolk Bay and quaint towns like Nubeena, Roaring Beach, Koonya, Premaydena, Saltwater River. It's the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.
Cape Hauy
Pronounced by locals as "Hoy", this absolutely stunning cape takes you to the very edge of some of the southern hemisphere’s highest cliffs. The walk is 9.4 km or four-hours return, so do-able in a day, but not for the very young or faint of heart. It's worth every step and will never disappoint those looking for a truly remarkable and award winning natural escape.
Cape Pillar
Cape Pillar is best achieved as a 2-3 day return walk (29 km) camping at the designated camp sites at Fortescue Bay and Bare Knoll (toilets provided; carry own food and water; fuel stove only).
The departure point is from the entry road into Fortescue Bay, just before the campground office. Half of this journey is along the Old Cape Pillar track which connects with the Three Capes Track.
It’s a special hike taking you through many different and pristine, ecological habitats and to the very tip of South Eastern Tasmania. It’s the closest you can get to Tasman Island and its historic lighthouse.
For walkers wanting to incorporate Mount Fortescue, Cape Hauy and the coastline, this section can only be walked in a south to north direction. This walk is a 34km circuit and recommended to walk over 3 days.
Cape Raoul
Of the three capes, Cape Raoul is often the trail many call their favourite. Easily accessible, this spectacular cape is found at the end of Stormlea Road via the small hamlet of Highcroft. Within the first 45mins of your 5hr (14km) return, this well maintained trail takes you to the famous Look Out and a view that is guaranteed to fill you with wonder. From there you can turn left to explore the cape in all its glory or turn right and discover Shipstern Bluff and Tunnel Bay. No matter which way you go on this wonderful trail, you’ll be rewarded with exceptional natural beauty and some of the cleanest air in the world.
Coal Mines Historic Site
Taking the right fork in Saltwater River Road, you’ll discover one of the best historical experiences in the region. The Coal Mines Historic Site is a part of the Port Arthur story where you get to understand the Coal Mines convict experience in its full raw archaeological glory.
Doo Town
This quirky little hamlet features home names that really “do” something. Instigated by a shack owner in the 1930s who named his home ‘Doo I’, all of his neighbours decided to join in coming up with names like 'Doo Me' and 'Doo Us'. Since then, most properties have a ‘Doo’ themed name along with one of the best spots for local fish and chips, the famous Doo-lishus. A few extra ‘must doos’ in the area include the Blowhole, the Waterfall Bay walk and some of the best sport-fishing in Australia.
Eaglehawk Neck
The historic Eaglehawk Neck is the narrow and beautiful isthmus that joins the Tasman Peninsula to the Forestier Peninsula. In the penal days, a line of vicious dogs would keep convicts from escaping. A bronze statue of a Rottweiler still stands watch and is just a short walk from the Officer’s Quarters, which is now a museum. Eaglehawk Neck is home to amazing natural experiences, including the Tessellated Pavement and one of the best beaches for both surfing, long walks and sea-life.
Fortescue Bay
If you love experiencing pristine nature on the water, on the beach or on world famous trails, Fortescue Bay is an absolute must. This heart of the Tasman National Park makes for a great base camp. Explore Cape Hauy, Cape Pillar or the stunning Canoe and Bivouac Bays trails. For anyone looking for a truly far-away feeling, Fortescue Bay is somewhere to spend a day or an entire week.
Koonya
Nestled at the foot of Mount Koonya, this small hamlet was originally part of the Port Arthur colony and today is home to a vibrant community of writers, artists, farmers and retirees. At the heart of Koonya is the Koonya Hall, an impeccably preserved historic building that plays host to numerous live music, food and art events and is home to the world famous Koonya Garlic Festival that takes place each year towards the end of February.
Lime Bay
Just down the road from the Coal Mines Historic Site is the wonderful Lime Bay. A perfect place to camp, Lime Bay is a State Reserve and an area that has bush walks, lagoons and wildlife. If ‘away from it all’ is what you want, Lime Bay has beaches that look like they came straight out of a high end magazine called Paradise.
Murdunna and Sommers Bay
Murdunna and its residential community of Sommers Bay is a great first experience of the Tasman Region. Here you can visit the Murdunna Roadhouse, taste some delicious local honey or walk the challenging MacGregor Peak Track. Jackson Park is a good rest stop for children to play.
Nubeena
Aboriginal for 'crayfish', Nubeena is the civic centre for the Tasman Region and provides opportunity to top up on food, drink and local insights. Set above the picturesque Parsons Bay, Nubeena has two IGA supermarkets, bottle shops, a bank, medical centre, police station, pharmacy, ex-services club, children's playground and civic grounds that are used for food, craft and music festivals. Nubeena is the biggest town in the region and like many rural towns, most shops close around 6pm, so get in early and don’t expect a hopping night life.
Pirates Bay
The body of water that stretches from Eaglehawk Neck to Doo Town is called Pirates Bay. Here you can breathe the freshest air in the world. When the conditions are right, the Tasman sea sends waves that are perfectly formed for avid surfers and will remind you how small you really are and how wild nature can really be. Scuba diving is popular in Pirates Bay.
Port Arthur
As one of Australia’s most significant convict places, the UNESCO listed world heritage Port Arthur Historic Site is a must see attraction for anyone visiting the region. The area that surrounds the historic site includes the stunningly tranquil Stewarts Bay and Safety Cove beaches, along with the picturesque Mount Brown hike and Remarkable Cave experience.
Premaydena
As you follow Nubeena Road heading west, you’ll crest Premaydena Hill and enjoy another of the best views in the region. Looking across Norfolk Bay, you’ll see the beauty and grandeur of the Forestier Peninsula and beyond to Dunalley, Marion Bay and even further to Maria Island in the far distance. At sunrise and sunset, this outlook becomes even more beautiful and dramatic.
Remarkable Cave and Mount Brown
Sharing the same parking area, these two natural experiences are not to be missed. If you’re short on time, Remarkable Cave is only a 15min walk down steps to a landing to watch the sea land crash together to form a truly remarkable experience (the best view at low tide). If you have more time, the 8km (4hr) return walk to Mount Brown is worth the effort for spectacular sea cliff and water views. Taking you across natural heaths, dramatic shorelines and craggy rocks, Mount Brown comes with the option of walking into the secluded and stunning, Crescent Bay.
Roaring Beach
A short drive west of Nubeena is Roaring Beach. Though mostly a low-density residential area, Roaring Beach Road ends with a car park and access to a stunning conservation area and south west facing beach that is guaranteed to impress. After parking, follow a short trail over sand dunes to what many feel is a place preserved from Jurassic times. Wild and often windy, swimming and surfing here should be done with extreme caution as rips are known to be strong and wild.
Safety Cove
A short drive south west of Port Arthur is Safety Cove Road, that will take you to some beautiful beaches, trails and natural experiences. Safety cove is one of the most pristine beaches you’ll find in the region and is just beyond Carnarvon Bay. From here, you can see out to the famous Tasman Island and Cape Pillar. Beyond Safety Cove Road at the end of the road is the amazing Remarkable Cave and the start of the walk to Mount Brown and Crescent Bay.
Saltwater River
If soft rolling hills, gently winding roads and spectacular coastlines dotted with secluded bays are what you’re looking for, then put Saltwater River on your itinerary. This area of the western Peninsula makes for a great drive, and is the perfect way to take in all the majestic beauty of Norfolk Bay. Even better, at the end of Saltwater River Road, is a fork, one direction takes you to the Coal Mines Historic Site and the other to Sloping Main, and it’s world class beach.
Shipstern Bluff
Known by professional surfers around the world as the ‘most dangerous wave in Australia’, Shipstern Bluff is accessed via the walk to Cape Raoul and is often called “Shippies” by those in the know. At low tide and calm conditions this trail takes you all the way down to the rocky coastline and the infamous ‘step’. But if the big wave is what you’re after, the best times to view are often in autumn and over winter and when the swell is coming from the south and the wind from the north.
Sloping Main
Sloping Main is a stunning area and home to some of the oldest weatherboard structures in Tasmania. A quintessentially far-away place, Sloping Main has one of the most wonderfully long, brilliant white beaches, with calm azure waters, that is simply perfect for anyone looking for a long walk set to a soundtrack of gentle waves crashing on a beach.
Stewarts Bay
Stewarts Bay is a local favourite beach located near Stewarts Bay Lodge, just below the 'On the Bay' restaurant in Port Arthur. It is the perfect spot to unwind and wade into the eternally calm waters of Port Arthur. Great for families and romantics, it's the perfect place for a picnic, for children to play or to relax.
Taranna
In the convict days Taranna was one of the main supply stations for Port Arthur. Today it is a small hamlet with places to stay, eat and drink and explore. Here you will find the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, that will bring you face to face with the best of the local wildlife. If sweet indulgence is what you’re looking for, drop in to the Tasmanian Chocolate Foundry to see chocolate making in action.
Tasman Island
With the highest operating lighthouse in Australia, Tasman Island is an icon of Tasmania and is known as the home stretch for the world famous Sydney to Hobart race. Surrounded by 300m dolerite cliffs, this rugged and seemingly indestructible island can be viewed from Tasman Island Cruises on a near daily basis. A breeding sanctuary for fairy prions and safe haven for whales and sea life, Tasman Island is emblematic of the soul and spirit of Tasmania.
White Beach
For well over 100 years generations of families have flocked to the Tasman Peninsula, and White Beach in particular, to spend their summer holidays. This family friendly beach, with picture perfect sand and upmarket shacks that surround it, is almost always calm and only crowded during the peak of the school holidays. With westerly views that sweep across Storm Bay, on a clear day one can see all the way to Hobart and Kunanyi / Mount Wellington towering above it and some of the most incredible sunsets in Tasmania.
Things To See and Do
