Around The Tasman Peninsula Overview

Peter and Shirley Storey’s handy Tasman Tracks, available at tourist shops on the peninsula, maps out many walks around Tasman National Park. A great way to view the spectacular cliffs of the park is with Port Arthur Cruises on the Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise. This 2hr. cruise views the highest sea cliffs in Australia. (☎03 6231 2655 or 1300 134 561. Book 24hr. in advance. Departs Oct.-May M and Th 8:15am. $65, concessions $59, children $49.)

One of the region’s most intriguing sights is the Tessellated Pavement, just before Eaglehawk Neck. The grooves and splits across this natural rock platform were etched by salt crystals left behind as sea water evaporated. The crystals dried in the cracks and expanded, cutting open the rock and giving it the appearance of tile. The carpark is 500m up Pirates Bay Dr., an easy 15min. round-trip walk to the beach. Nearby, just behind the Officer’s Mess, is the magnificent Pirates Bay, perfect for a stroll across the sand.

Just past Eaglehawk Neck, the C338 intersects the A9 and leads to the Devils Kitchen and Tasman Arch carparks. Both remarkable cliffside sights were carved by centuries of waves and are easy 10-15min. round-trip walks from both their respective carparks and each other. Continue along the moderate gravel track to Patersons Arch (15min.) and Waterfall Bay (45min.), where it links up with the steep Tasman Trail (1hr.) to the falls and Waterfall Bluff (1hr.). Walking from Devils Kitchen to Fortescue Bay is a breathtaking 6-8hr. walk. Basic camping is available, with drinking water, showers, and toilets ($5.50, park fees apply). The campsite manager (☎03 6250 2433) has details. To get to Waterfall Bay by car, take the first right off the C338 and follow the road 4km to the cul-de-sac; for Fortescue Bay, follow the sign-posted, unsealed road east off A9, south of the B37 Taranna junction.