The Best Free Things to do on The Tasman Peninsula
Many people visit the Tasman Peninsula as a day trip to the Port Arthur Historic Site. However, there is so much to see and do here that you couldn’t possibly squeeze it all in one day!
Given the amount of amazing free things to do on the Tasman Peninsula, it’s also a great place to explore when you’re on a budget. This was us! We travelled around Tasmania in a motor home with two young children and lucky for us, Tassie has a lot of natural attractions that don’t burn a hole in your wallet.
Free Things to See and do on The Tasman Peninsula
Relax at Fortescue Bay
Fortescue Bay is a very inviting stretch of white sand! There is camping available here as well as a day-use area with barbecues. Bring a picnic and enjoy the peaceful location. Even if it’s too cold to swim when you visit, it’s still worth a trip just for the serene environment.
Hike the Cape Hauy track
This hike is one of Tassie’s 60 great short walks and possibly one of the most exhausting things to do on the Tasman Peninsula. The National Parks Brochure has the walk at 4 hours and 9.4 km however I suspect this length of time is for fitter people not carrying 17kg of kid on their back. It took us 6 hours with a few well-earned snack breaks due to the heavy loads we were both carrying.
The track is well maintained and clearly marked throughout the walk. It begins and ends next to the boat ramp at the far end of the Fortescue Bay campground.
Check out my post on the Cape Hauy Walk to get an idea of what to expect.
Visit The Coal Mines Historic Site
The Coal Mines Historic Site was the first operational mine in Tasmania and was also a place to punish the most misbehaved convicts. This easily managed stroll around the historic site is listed as one of Tassie’s 60 great short walks. If you don’t feel like walking, strolling around the main site near the parking lot is fine as it’s home to most of the fascinating, crumbling buildings anyway.
The ruins that remain today include the penitentiary, underground cells, and mine cells. There is excellent signage throughout this self-guided site. Check out my post on the Coal Mines Historic Site for what to expect.
Check Out The Tessellated Pavement
This rare natural phenomenon is really fascinating. However, make sure you arrive at low tide otherwise it will be underwater! It’s an easy stroll from the parking lot down to the tessellated pavement and if you are into photography, google ‘Tessellated Pavement at sunrise” for some inspiration. Unfortunately, the low tide didn’t equal sunrise or sunset when we visited.
Pay a Visit to The Tasman Arch
The Tasman Arch is breathtaking and the best views are actually from right next to the main car park. The viewing is from behind a fence for safety reasons, but it’s easy enough to get a photo without the ugly fence in view.
Watch The Blow Hole in Action
I read great reviews of this attraction, but it was actually fairly disappointing when we visited. I thought I had timed the tide right but clearly, I didn’t, because it certainly wasn’t acting like a blowhole. It was basically a pool of stinky seaweed water that was moving around with the swell of the ocean. The nearby toilets could be smelt from quite a distance away too. Hopefully, the conditions will be right the next time!
Watch the Waves Roll in at The Remarkable Cave
The Remarkable Cave is truly a sight to see when the incoming tide is thundering through the cave towards you. There is a short walk from the car park down sturdy, steep stairs to reach the cave. I couldn’t see a way down into the actual cave itself, but there are still great views from the viewing platform.
I’ve seen plenty of photos online of people walking in there at low tide so there must be a sneaky way down!
At high tide when there is a decent swell, the water comes rushing through the cave with force and splashes up on the rocks right in front of you. Mother Nature reminds you she is a force to be reckoned with here. Adjoining the parking lot is also a lookout with good views of the surrounding rugged, cliff coastline.
Visit The Devils Kitchen
The Devils Kitchen is another natural attraction. Maybe it’s because I’m short, but I could barely see the water below due to the overgrown foliage. The cliff walls are still great to see but if you are short like me, you will most likely need to stand on tiptoes to get the full effect of the Devils Kitchen.
Check Out The Dog Line
Eaglehawk Neck is a narrow 30 metre-wide isthmus that joins the Tasman Peninsula to the rest of Tassie. When the Port Arthur penitentiary was operational, a line of ferocious dogs guarded the isthmus, preventing the escape of convicts. Dogs were not only on the platforms but in the water as well and it is said that the slightest disturbance would set the dogs off, alerting the guards.
At one stage, the site included a guardhouse, store, jetty, and military barracks. These days you can check out the museum inside the remaining officers quarters and gain an understanding of what life was like on the Tasman Peninsula in the 1800s. The remains of the jetty can still be seen as well as a statue of the dogs.
Stroll Through and Experience Port Arthur Lavender
The Port Arthur Lavender Farm is at its most photogenic from December through to February. This is when the flowers are in bloom! It’s free to wander around, with an onsite cafe and gift shop that are definitely worth checking out.
You will be surprised at the lavender-infused cuisine on offer in the cafe which includes ice cream, milkshakes, hot chocolate, and fudge. Turns out I love lavender-infused salt!
Visiting The Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Area With Kids?
The Tasman Peninsula is a fantastic place to explore with kids. They can’t possibly be bored with the jaw-dropping natural attractions and lovely beaches to play on.
There are plenty of accommodation options to suit all families and budgets. We stayed at the Port Arthur Holiday Park in a powered site for motor-homes and caravans and loved the natural environment, clean facilities, and the cute little pademelons that visited every day at dusk.
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Tassie with kids, browse our Tasmania page. Alternatively, head back to the home page for inspiration on destinations and activities in Australia and worldwide.
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Planning and booking your holiday to Tasmania
National Parks Pass:
A National Park entrance fee is required to visit most parks in Tasmania. You can buy a single-day pass or if you are exploring more of Tassie, an eight-week pass that gets a whole family into all of Tasmania’s National Parks is better value for money. Passes can be purchased here.
More information:
Check out the official Tourism Tasmania page for more information on great places to visit in Tasmania.
Getting to Tasmania:
Search on Trip.com for the best deals to Tasmania. Flights are available from most capital cities into either Hobart or Launceston.
Alternatively, you can also come across by boat on the Spirit of Tasmania. If you choose to come across by boat, you can bring your own vehicle.
Accommodation in Tasmania:
Accommodation in Tasmania is varied and there are options from budget to luxury. Find a great deal here.
Getting around Tasmania:
Compare rental car prices here.
