The Tasman Peninsula
Beyond Port Arthur lies a land of towering dolerite sea cliffs, sculpted coast and deep convict history — from Eaglehawk Neck to Remarkable Cave and the Three Capes Track.
The Tasman Peninsula
Beyond Port Arthur itself lies one of Tasmania’s most dramatic corners. The Tasman Peninsula is a land of towering dolerite sea cliffs — among the tallest in the southern hemisphere — sculpted coastline, wild forest and profound convict history. Cross the narrow isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck and you find the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, the Devils Kitchen and Remarkable Cave, the World Heritage historic site, and a coast alive with seals and sea birds. Here’s how to take it all in.
Natural Wonders
Tessellated Pavement
A rock platform fractured into an eerily tile-like pattern by the sea.
The Pavement → Sculpted coastTasman Arch & Devils Kitchen
A soaring rock arch and a deep, roaring coastal chasm.
Arch & Kitchen → Sea caveRemarkable Cave
A dramatic sea-carved cave reached by a boardwalk and steps.
The cave → Sea cliffsTasman NP & Cruises
Towering cliffs, seals and sea birds on a Tasman National Park cruise.
Park & cruises →Heritage & the Great Walk
Port Arthur Historic Site
The convict penal settlement (1830–1877), harbour cruise and gardens.
Historic site → 48 km · ~4 daysThree Capes Track
Cabin-based walking along the tallest sea cliffs, starting by boat from Port Arthur.
Three Capes → By boatIsle of the Dead
The convict-era cemetery on its own small island, reached by boat.
Isle of the Dead →Around the Peninsula
There’s more still: the nearby Coal Mines Historic Site, Tasmania’s oldest operational mine and a quieter, reflective convict place; the Blowhole near Eaglehawk Neck; and the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, where you can meet the island’s iconic marsupial. It’s a region best treated with care — its convict past, from the penal settlement to the Memorial Garden, is real history to be met with dignity.
- Allow two or more days to combine the coast, the historic site and a cruise
- Start at Eaglehawk Neck and work south toward Port Arthur
- See the cliffs from the water on a wildlife cruise
- Travelling with children? See the peninsula with kids
- Browse everything in things to do
The Tasman Peninsula — FAQ
Where is the Tasman Peninsula?
It’s in south-east Tasmania, about 90 minutes’ drive from Hobart, reached across the slender isthmus at Eaglehawk Neck. Port Arthur sits near its southern tip; see getting there.
What is there to see on the Tasman Peninsula?
A lot: the Tessellated Pavement at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen, the Blowhole, Remarkable Cave, the World Heritage Port Arthur Historic Site, the nearby Coal Mines Historic Site, the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, and towering sea cliffs best seen on a cruise or the Three Capes Track.
How long do you need on the Tasman Peninsula?
A full day covers the coastal highlights and a first look at the historic site, but two or more days let you slow down — combining the site, the ghost tour, a wildlife cruise and the peninsula’s natural wonders without rushing.
Are the sea cliffs really that tall?
Yes — the peninsula’s dolerite sea cliffs are among the tallest in the southern hemisphere. You can see them from the Three Capes Track and on Tasman National Park wildlife cruises past seals and sea birds.
Is the Tasman Peninsula good for families?
Very — the coastal lookouts, wildlife cruises and the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo suit all ages, and the history is handled with care. See the Tasman Peninsula with kids.
Port Arthur, Planned Around You
The World Heritage convict site, the wild sea cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, the Three Capes Track and the ghost tour — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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