Three Capes Guided Walk, Tasmania

Tucked between the Remarkable Caves and Port Arthur, the Crescent Bay and Mount Brown track plays host to the most spectacular beach on the Tasman Peninsula. In addition to the enormous dunes and crystal clear waters of Crescent Bay, the hike to the summit of Mount Brown offers hikers panoramic views of the rugged coastline. We begin today’s walk at the Remarkable Caves car park. The first part of the hike crosses a series of sand dunes covered in coastal heath vegetation, and you may even spot an echidna. This section offers westerly views back towards Cape Raoul. The track then opens out into a gaping cavity known as Maingon Blowhole.

The track then heads inland onto the lower knolls of Mount Brown where a series of cairns will direct your ascent. The walk up to the summit is moderately steep, with views over Cape Pillar, Tasman Island, Arthurs Peak and further south to Cape Raoul and Bruny Island. Once back on the main track, we reach Crescent Bay. This beach is incredibly beautiful and often sparsely populated. After the day’s walk, we head back to our accommodation for a well-earned swim in the crystal-clear waters of Stewarts Bay if you desire, followed by pre-dinner nibbles and a fabulous two-course meal prepared by your guides.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Hiking: 9 km / 5.6 miles, 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Accommodation: Log cabins

After breakfast and lunch preparation, we begin our walk today out to Cape Raoul. Offering some of the most spectacular coastal lookouts in Tasmania, Cape Raoul is an excellent return day walk within the Tasman National Park. With only a few steep sections, the walk is a comfortable walk allowing ample time to relax and enjoy the expansive views of the surrounding Tasman Peninsula and further south to Bruny Island.

The bushland opens up with spectacular views of the incredible dolerite cliffs of the Tasman National Park. A short distance to the right is another open section of the cliff top allowing you a stunning view down to Shipstern Bluff, beyond to Bruny Island and Tasmania’s southern coast. From here, we also may have our first encounter with the intense winds the Capes are famous for (some of the strongest recorded winds in Australia). Once on the plateau, the landscape changes to stunning coastal banksia scrub and soon we see our first glimpses of the northern coastline including Mt Brown, Arthurs Peak, and Mt Fortescue, and a little further east, the 300-meter high cliffs of Cape Pillar. This evening we enjoy nibbles, followed by a two course dinner prepared by your guides.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 14 km / 8.7 miles, 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: Log cabins

This is a well-constructed trail with fantastic views. This walk is spectacular, though it’s graded moderate to hard due to several hundred meters of steps that go up and down (you must navigate these heading out to the Cape and on the way back again). Extra care needs to be taken when navigating these steep steps! The Cape Hauy trail follows the rocky coastline and as the trail climbs, the She Oaks and Banksia’s of the lower coastline give way to dry sclerophyll forest.

We’ll start at a beautiful cove, with some steep sections with stairs that you need to tackle in both directions. There is a steep climb at the start (and end of the walk), but once at the top of the first saddle, panoramic views stretch far north past the Forester coast to Maria Island and Cape Pillar. The track then follows the cliff’s edge, providing thrilling views. The final segment of the trail, before reaching a large plateau, is quite steep and narrow and again, careful here. You’ll finally see rock formations of the Candlestick and Totem Pole, large columns of dolerite rocking out of the ocean. We then return via the same route. The terrain is quite rocky and there are ups and downs but it is magnificent. This afternoon you have the option to visit the Port Arthur Historic Site (at your own expense).

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 8 km / 5 miles, 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Accommodation: Log cabins

Let’s head out for our final day! This morning we’ll go on a 3-hour award winning Wilderness Cruise. Make sure you dress warmly for the cruise – warm jackets, scarves, beanies and gloves are recommended. The boat gets very close to the spectacular rock formations along the coastline and stops regularly for easy viewing and photography. Spot seals, albatross, white-bellied sea eagles, and enjoy an exhilarating ride on this fantastic cruise.

We are back on dry land by 1pm where we enjoy some lunch and make our way back into Hobart with some stops for more sights along the way. We arrive back at approximately 5pm where we drop you back at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Davey St, Hobart. If you’re planning on flying out the same day, don’t book a flight earlier than 7pm. If you’d like to stay longer and explore the area, just ask us for recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast and lunch