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Category: Geology

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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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The Orange Rocks of the Bay of Fires

The Gardens on the Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires Tasmania

Famous for the stunning orange granite rocks that line the shore, The Bay of Fires is not, as we discovered named for this amazing feature. Instead, in 1773 when Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure, sailed past, he saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches and gave it its name.

The Gardens

The shore of the Bay of Fires is lined with lovely beaches separated by granite outcrops. We drove from St Helens to The Gardens in 20 minutes, passing camping sites, before reaching the carpark at the end of the road. Many of the beaches in the area have the orange rocks, but this one has easy access with lots of orange lichen.

A short walk from the carpark takes you to the rocky outcrop. Being careful not to slip because the rocks were covered in water, we spend 30 minutes or so exploring. The orange colour was amazing, especially in the morning light.

The track from the carpark also branches off to a beautiful little beach.

Camping

Although we didn’t camp here, many areas are set up for it so that people can enjoy the beaches and water. This would be a great place to stay and relax for a few days to fully experience the area.

  • The Gardens on the Bay of Fires
    The Gardens on the Bay of Fires
  • Orange Coloured Rocks Bay of Fires
    Lichen Colouring the Granite Rocks to Become Orange
  • Lichen Colouring the Granite Rocks to Become Orange
    Orange Coloured Rocks Bay of Fires
  • Orange Coloured Rocks
    Orange Coloured Rocks

What Did We Think?

What an amazing place, full of colour and stunning views. Easily accessible on Tasmania’s east coast and certainly worth the trip to see.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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