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Category: Bushwalking

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Tasman Peninsula Tasmania Australia

Remains of the Low Courts

Tasman Peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula has an wonderful array of historical and natural locations explore. Containing some of Australia’s oldest convict sites, it tells the story of early colonial life while being surrounded by amazing natural beauty.

During our stay here, we visited the sites below. This is by no means all there is to see and do, as there are many more bush tracks to walk, and places to visit. We spent three days here, but could easily have taken a whole week.

Port Arthur Historic Site

Tasmania’s best known historical site, Port Arthur was once a penal settlement for convicts. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Inside The Penitentiary
Inside The Penitentiary

Geological Sites of the Tasman Peninsula

Tasmania is full of natural beauty. The wind, rain and sea have combined in places to produce wonderful geological features. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Tasman Arch

Tasman Arch
Tasman Arch

The Blow Hole

The Blowhole
The Blowhole

Remarkable Cave

  • Remarkable Cave
    Remarkable Cave

Tessellated Pavement

Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck
Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck

The Dog Line

To prevent escaped convicts leaving the Tasman Peninsula, a dogs were placed at the narrowest point. These vicious dogs are commemorated with a full sized bronze sculpture. Tasmania is full of natural beauty. The wind, rain and sea have combined in places to produce wonderful geological features. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Bronze Sculpture at the Dog Line
Bronze Sculpture at the Dog Line

Coal Mine Historic Site

Although not as popular as Port Arthur, the Coal Mine Historic Site is also an important relic of the convict past. The first coal mine in Tasmania and a place of punishment for repeat offending convicts, its ruins are worth a visit. Unlike Port Arthur, entry here is free. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Ruins at the Main Settlement Tasman Peninsula
Ruins at the Main Settlement

Cape Raoul Track

Bushwalking and hiking tracks range from under an hour to several days. We chose a five hour return walk to Cape Raoul because it provided temperate rainforest, coastal views and wildlife in the one walk. For the Full blog of our trip here, click this link.

Dolerite at Cape Raoul Tasman Peninsula
Dolerite at Cape Raoul

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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Amazing Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula

The Blowhole

Amazing Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula

The rugged Tasmanian coastline lends itself to the formation of amazing geological sites, with many grouped together on the Tasman Peninsula.

Tessellated Pavement

Best accessed at low tide, the tessellated pavement at Eaglehawk Neck resembles human-made pavement. During our visit it was raining, and the tide was still going out, but we were still able to walk over most of the pavement.

A tessellated pavement is formed near the shore when fractures in the rock are eroded, forming polygons. These formations are rare, and the one at Eaglehawk Neck is one of the best examples found worldwide.

Accessing the pavement is via a staircase which leads from a carpark via a viewing platform. When walking on the rocks, be careful because the algae that grows on them is very slippery.

A café located above the carpark was a great place to have a coffee and something to eat to escape the rain once we had explored.

  • Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
    Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck
  • Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
    Tessellated Pavement Eaglehawk Neck

Tasman Arch

Once a sea cave whose roof has collapsed, Tasman Arch forms an amazing natural arch over the rocks and sea below. A large carpark provides easy access to the area and a walking track allows you to walk around both sides. Viewing is great from the safety of the surrounding fence, so don’t climb them, the cliffs are very high.

Tasman Arch Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
Tasman Arch

The Blow Hole

Only a short drive from Tasman Arch the Blow Hole is another collapsed sea cave. When the sea is rough, or the tide is high, water is sprayed high into the air. A nearby carpark provides easy access to the blowhole, which is only a short walk away.

The Blowhole Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula
The Blowhole

Remarkable Cave

A narrow sea cavern, Remarkable Cave looks spectacular at low and high tide.

Steps lead down to the cave from the large carpark. On the way down, there are several places where you can admire the views. From the platform, the long thin cavern is amazing, and you can watch the waves wash in, while you remain safe and dry.

A viewing platform near the carpark provides views of the rugged coastline surrounding the area.

  • Coastal View at Remarkable Cave
    Coastal View at Remarkable Cave
  • Stairs Down to Remarkable Cave
    Stairs Down to Remarkable Cave
  • Remarkable Cave
    Remarkable Cave
  • Remarkable Cave
    Remarkable Cave

What Did We Think of the Amazing Geological Sites on the Tasman Peninsula?

Tasmania’s natural beauty is a major drawcard for tourists and the Tasman Peninsula has some excellent examples. These amazing sites are accessible without difficult walks, enabling people to see some of nature’s wonders. All of them were great to see and highly recommended.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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Cape Raoul Track Tasmania

Cape Raoul

Cape Raoul Track Tasmania

Getting There

Located in the south-western section of the Tasman Peninsula, the Cape Raoul Track has a large carpark and toilet facilities at the trailhead. There are no facilities on the track, so take all of the food water and spare clothing you will need. Weather in Tasmania changes quickly, so be prepared for cold windy conditions as well as rain and possibly sunshine.

The Track

A disinfecting boot wash at the trail head prevents invasive bacteria infecting the national park, so ensure you use it correctly. Rising gently, the track makes its way through tall eucalypt forest before reaching a junction to Ship Stern Bluff Lookout.

  • Boardwalk At the Start of the Cape Raoul Track
    Boardwalk At the Start of the Track
  • Large Trees in the Open Forest Cape Raoul Track
    Large Trees in the Open Forest
  • Chair not far From the Start of the Track
    Chair not far From the Start of the Track

Ship Stern Bluff Lookout

At this point, you can either take a 30-minute return detour or continue on the main track. We chose the detour, knowing that we would be too tired to attempt it on our return. The views at the lookout are amazing, but not as spectacular as those along the main track.

  • Signpost to Shipstern Bluff
    Signpost to Shipstern Bluff
  • Shipstern Bluff Lookout
    Shipstern Bluff Lookout

Cape Raoul Lookout

Only ten minutes past the intersection to Ship Stern Bluff, the first lookout provides a glimpse of the amazing views on offer. From here the coastline to Cape Raoul is visible, giving you an idea of how far you have to go.

  • View From Cape Raoul Lookout
    View From Cape Raoul Lookout
  • View of Cape Raoul From the Lookout
    View of Cape Raoul From the Lookout

Descending to the Plateau

Descending to the plateau takes you through dense forest. Although the grade from the top to bottom is very steep, the track uses switch backs to limit the grade. This is the steepest section of the track and the one we found hardest on the return walk. We had regular stops to catch our breath, we were surprised how quickly it was to get back to the top of this section.

  • Track Descending Through Dense Growth Trees Cape Raoul Track
    Track Descending Through Dense Growth Trees
  • Steps Going Up on the Return Trip
    Steps Going Up on the Return Trip

Cape Raoul Plateau

Once of the plateau, the topography flattens out, making the walk much easier. On this windswept area, the vegetation is hardy coastal banksia around 2m high. The closer you get to the cape, the smaller the vegetation, until only ankle high bushes are growing.

The trail starts as a cleared path but is replaced by boardwalk as the vegetation becomes more prone to damage by hikers. This certainly makes walking easier.

  • Track Through Low Coastal Banksia Scrub
    Track Through Low Coastal Banksia Scrub
  • Boardwalk on the Plateau Cape Raoul Track
    Boardwalk on the Plateau
  • Small Pond on the Plateau
    Small Pond on the Plateau

Cape Raoul

On reaching Cape Raoul, you are rewarded with breathtaking views of sheer dolerite cliffs and crashing waves. At this point, we decided to have lunch while admiring the views before walking a little further to view the seals.

  • Dolerite at Cape Raoul
    Dolerite at Cape Raoul
  • Dolerite Cliff Face
    Crashing Waves and Dolerite Cliff Face
  • Dolerite Cliff Face
    Dolerite Cliff Face

Seal Rock Lookout

Only a five-minute walk from the main lookout, the seal lookout not only gives even better views, but you also get to see seals. The signpost also conveniently tells you that it is a 3 hour walk back to the car park.

From this point, the dolerite forms a narrow but high spine running into the ocean which look amazing. Looking carefully at the base of the cliff, the white section is a seal colony, but without binoculars you may not see them. The photo below was taken using a 300mm zoom lens and you can only just see them.

  • Sign Post
    Sign Post
  • Cape Raoul
    Cape Raoul
  • Dolerite at Cape Raoul
    Dolerite at Cape Raoul
  • Dolerite at Cape Raoul
    Dolerite at Cape Raoul
  • Seal Colony on the Rocks at Cape Raoul
    Seal Colony on the Rocks at Cape Raoul

What Did We Think

This was an amazing walk, which took us over four and a half hours to walk the 14km return track. With the track recently upgraded and more sections undergoing repairs while we were there, it was fun to walk. Remember to take plenty of water, warm clothes, high energy snacks and be prepared for a weather change. Although the weather may be pleasant when you start it may change drastically while you walk.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

Our photos are available for purchase on