Tasman National Park Lookout
Located on Pirates Bay Drive, this lookout offers magnificent views along the southern coast of the Tasman Peninsula. A “must not miss”.
Tessellated Pavement
Located on Pirates Bay Drive, opposite the Lufra Hotel.

This unique natural rock formation is found only in this section of the coastline. The nearest thing to the Pavement is the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.
Officer’s Quarters
Located at Eaglehawk Neck, adjacent to the Officer’s Mess store. This is reputed to be the only timber military building left standing in Australia. Its original purpose was to house guards whose only duty was to stop the escape of convicts from the Port Arthur Penal Colony. Free entry to this building allows people to explore the building and re-live some of the history of the area.
Pirates Bay and Clydes Island
You can’t miss the kms of ocean beach. The northern end of the bay is punctuated by Clydes Island.

A walk along the beach, past the Tessellated Pavement, will reward you with some fantastic views of the coastline, a blowhole which starts on one side of the island and blows on the other, and get up close and personal with some bull kelp. Access at low tide is easy. Pirates Bay beach is a great surfing beach, but be warned it is not patrolled by lifesavers.
Doo Town
Located on Blowhole Road. A great example of quintessential Australianism, check out the house names (and don’t forget the dog kennels). A word of warning for the driver of the car, stay alert. Penguins
Blowhole
Located at the end of Blowhole Road. A natural rock feature, but does not always “blow”. A walk up to the lookouts provide another opportunity to experience the sheer beauty and majesty of the Tasman Peninsula coastline. The jetty near the Blowhole is a working jetty, servicing fishing and crayfish boats, and a couple of tourist operators. There are public toilets at the Blowhole.
Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen
Located off Blowhole Road (follow the signs). These are examples of what happens when the sea pounds the base of cliffs over time.
Waterfall Bay
Located at the end of Waterfall Bay Road, off Blowhole Road. There is a 1 to 1½ hour return walk starting at the Devil’s Kitchen carpark, following the cliff top to Waterfall Bay. The lookouts along this walk offer spectacular views of this natural and pristine area. This walk is wheelchair friendly. Alternatively you can drive to the Bay via Waterfall Bay Road.
Remarkable Cave
Located at the end of Safety Cove Road. Another “must not miss”. Check out the lookout at the end of the road. The waters of Maingon Bay can be spectacular when the weather comes from the south or southeast. A walk down a few steps (maybe quite a few steps) takes you to the Remarkable Cave. From a particular angle, the cave takes on the shape of Tasmania! There are public toilets at the Remarkable Cave.
Port Arthur Historic Site (an admission fee applies)
Located off the Arthur Highway at Port Arthur. This historic site is one of the best known tourist attractions in Tasmania. A colony for transported convicts from England in the 1800s, it’s main purpose was to house those convicts who re-offended in Australia. To get an insight into the life of a convict serving time at Port Arthur, see the record of George Timbrell later in this compendium.
Tasman Devil Park (an admission fee applies)
Located on the Arthur Highway, above 2½ kms south of Mason’s Cottages. By day you can see devils feeding and a live bird show. Additionally you can meet interesting and unique animals, such as the rare golden possums, eagles, owls and colourful parrots. You can hand feed kangaroos and walk among friendly wallabies.
Eco-Cruises (Ticket price applies)
Experience the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Peninsula as the early explorers would have seen. See the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere on Tasman Island, get up close and personal with the seal colonies at Cape Huay and on Tasman Island. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot pods of dolphins, migrating whales and swimming penguins. But you’ll always spot albatrosses, sea eagles, cormorants and other pelagic bird species.
Saltwater River Convict Coal Mines
The Coal Mines site has World Heritage Listing, and is one of the many convict settlements in the region. The site is not manned, but is well sign posted to provide information for visitors. The underground cells can be entered to experience what some prisoners had endured
Federation Chocolate Factory
See two attractions in one stop – a chocolate shop where the chocolate is made on the premises and a museum dedicated to local timber and sawmill activities of days gone by.
Walks on the Peninsula.
Engage with the environment by traversing the sea cliffs, wandering through rainforests, walking along pristine beaches and ambling through beautiful pasture lands. There are more than 35 documented walks available from 20 minutes to three days, graded from family easy ,medium and hard.
Fishing.
Chill out with your favourite pastimes. The crystal clear water surrounding the Peninsula prove bountiful to the avid fisherman. Jetty and beach fishing are popular. There are many operators offering deep sea fishing, birdwatching or sightseeing charters.
Golfing.
Did you bring your golf clubs? The Tasman Golf Club offers a unique 9 hole experience set within stunning coastal scenery.
Surfing.
Like surfing without the crowds? There are a number of great surfing beaches around the Peninsula. The world famous “Shipstern Bluff” break lies off one of the Tasman’s spectacular Capes, Cape Roaul. Sadly this wave occurs only a few times a year – but you may just be lucky!!
Horse Riding.
The Seaview Riding Ranch offers scenic trail and pony rides.
Kayaking.
Being a peninsula, the Tasman Region caters to the more adventurous sea kayaker with the rugged Sea Cliff Coast; or for the relaxed kayaker the calmer waters of the beautiful Norfolk Bay.
Diving.
Experience some of the world’s best temperate water diving on the Tasman Peninsula. There are kelp forests, sea dragons, reefs, walls, sea caves and wrecks.