8 Amazing days on the Tasman Peninsula!

We spent 8 days on the Tasman peninsula and experienced loads of 4WDing adventures, bush walks, lookouts and beach days.

We were completed stoked to be back on the coast and camping at one of our most favourite spots in Australia – Fortescue Bay. We spent some time here on our first lap around Australia and in our opinion, its a must do! Its on the Tasman Peninsula, which has a rich convict history, including the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site.

The options for camping are limited. You can choose to pay to stay at the Fortescue Bay campground in the Tasman National Park, where we highly recommended you book ahead as its a popular place. The Day use facilities are new and there is also a new amenities block with hot showers. Another option, is to free camp in the State Forest a few kms back from the Bay.

Good Bits.

Fortescue Bay has plenty of short 4WD tracks and there is a crackn track that will take you out to a bay on Port Arthur. There is an awesome camp site at the end of this beach. Access is suitable for an off road camper trailer or tent. Our off road van was a smidge too wide to get it down the track.

Beach driving near Port Arthur.

Stunning sunsets are a the norm on the peninsula.

Sunset at our free camp site in the State Forest.

Handsome Wolly Boy.

When there is a will theres a way – Off Road Scooters at our free camp.

The Port Arthur Historical Site is one of the major tourist attractions on Tasmania. It operated as a convict penitentiary for some time and many of its original buildings are still intact. The least expensive Family entry is $99 and gives you two days access to the whole site and a short cruise. We enjoyed the Asylum the most and the kids could see how small the cells and the exercise yards were. We also visited the memorial garden to reflect on the tragedy that occurred at the site in 1997.

The Asylum for convicts

The Gardens

The Tasman Peninsula has really stunning geological rock formations including sea caves, blowholes and epic cliffs.

Eaglehawk Neck is the gateway to the region and features the Blowhole, Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch, the Dog Line and Tessellated Pavement. We managed to visit all except Tessellated Pavement. It began pouring with rain, we were wet, hungry and the kids needed to get some school work completed. The struggle was real, people.

Tasmans Arch

Wolly sussing out the Dog Line at Eagle Hawk Neck

Beyond Port Arthur, it is a short drive to Remarkable Cave and one the shortest walks on the Tasman Peninsula. A little stair work (10 minutes) will get you to the viewing platform of the ocean cave. We were all fairly wrecked from an epic bushwalk we did the day before and those stairs were a fine line between pleasure and pain!

Lookout at the start of Remarkable Cave Walk.

On the walk to Remarkable Cave.

Port Arthur Lavender has a cafe, shop and distillery. You can wander around the grounds with your pet on a leash. We enjoyed a delicious meal there and it is well worth a visit.

Walk the grounds with your leashed pet at Port Arthur Lavender.

Over on the western side, you’ll discover gorgeous bays with shallow and perfect blue water.

We came across a busted up wooden jetty and without any swimwear with us we all jumped in the water for an impromptu swim. A couple who had returned to their anchored dingy at the jetty appeared as Adam was drying himself with a towel on the shore. Its a bit awkward having a yarn with fellow travellers in your underpants. Everyone is Tasmania is so friendly and always up for chat and we love it!

Broken Jetty at Koonya.

Wolly loving it!

Couldn’t resist a dip!

The Cream.

Hands down, the best thing we did as a family was the Cape Hauy walk.

It is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, is 8.8 kms and 4 hours return. This ‘Short Walk’ is part of the Three Capes Track and we would love to do the complete 3 night, 4 day walk some day. It begins at the boat ramp at Fortescue Bay.

We packed water, lunch and snacks and ventured into the most HECTIC bushwalking experience we have done together so far. The first hour consisted of fairly easy terrain and loads of lizards which kept the kids easily amused. The rest was natural stone stairs which got our heart and legs pumping. Once we reached the Cape, we peered over the edge and were in awe of the beautiful ocean crashing against the cliffs.

The amazing vista features Pacific Ocean and Australian bush views and it is this perfect combination that makes The Cape Hauy walk a stunner. The Cape scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and if you are going to visit Tasmania, this walk is a must do!