Read Part 1 here, which covers Hobart, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, and Launceston.
Day 5-6: St. Helens / Bay of Fires
St. Helens
The Bay of Fires refers to an area on Tasmania’s north-east coast, renowned for the spectacular bright orange lichen-covered rock formations lining its entire coastline. The cozy town of St. Helens, is the gateway to the stunning Bay of Fires, and also my favourite town in Tasmania.
At this point, we had spent half a week alternating between the rugged weather in Strahan, and the cold wilderness in Cradle Mountain. Despite my unending love for nature, for a lifelong city-dweller like me, driving into St. Helens felt like home – with its sushi restaurants, moderately big brand stores, and modern amenities. Our first Asian meal in Tasmania was a delicious combination of a sushi roll and miso ramen from St. Helen’s Azuki Japanese Fusion, which we brought along with us to Binalong Bay just a few minutes drive away. That was also where we saw our first sunset in Tasmania, which marked the beginning of the glorious summer skies accompanying us till the very end of our trip.
St. Helens was tiny by all measures, but it evoked a Goldilocks-esque feeling of coziness in me throughout our entire stay. The center of St. Helens was its cozy harbour in the sheltered Georges Bay, with fishing boats floating atop the glistening waters. Many intriguing artefacts, like the boat launching instructions and nautical navigational maps at the boat ramp, spoke of the rich maritime culture in St. Helens (and other towns on the East Coast in general). Further accentuating the seaside vibe were the Wharf Bar & Kitchen restaurant and the Skippers Fish Shop at the edge of the water. On the second morning, we parked our motorhome at the harbour and spent more than an hour exploring this very walkable town, in absolutely perfect weather as you will see below.
The A3 Tasman Highway, which spans 410km between Hobart and Launceston, runs directly through St. Helens (of course, this section of the highway has a speed limit and road design befitting of a pedestrian area of a cozy small town). Heading away from the harbour, the first shop we chanced upon was The Reject Shop, a budget variety store selling all sorts of useful and useless items – I thought that this outlet had a higher proportion of interesting “small-town” things you’d expect to see in a charming countryside home.
Down the road was the St. Helens Bakery, where we had an english muffin, a pizza bread, and breaded fish for breakfast. We enjoyed the laidback vibe of this very local joint, with event posters and community announcements plastered all over the walls, and with an elderly couple idly reading the newspapers beside us.
Lastly, I would suggest dropping by the The Tasmania Shop St Helens, a local shop with a wonderful range of local produce and wine. This is where we bought a fine bottle of Tasmanian Pinot Noir from the Pipers Brook Vineyard, which we savoured over the rest of the week in our motorhome at night. The lady running this shop was extremely friendly and helpful, and shared the most detailed map of the area we had seen thus far. This map (and her hospitality) also confirmed that the Tasmanian East Coast was indeed the perfect summer getaway – with countless beaches, campsites, and scenic areas.
We stayed at the BIG4 Tassie Getaway Parks St Helens in relative luxury, with a concrete powered pad and an en-suite bathroom. The weather was much milder here than in Cradle Mountain, which also meant that we didn’t have to shiver our way to the amenities block in the chill of the night. Another incredible thing was how close we were to the shimmering waters of Georges Bay, which made for picturesque drives every time we headed to town.
St. Helens was the perfect base to explore the Bay of Fires from, but it also quickly became my favourite town in Tasmania.
Binalong Bay
Binalong Bay, just a short drive away from St.Helens, is another possible base to explore the Bay of Fires from. Compared to St. Helens, there are less city-like amenities here (think supermarkets, gas stations, bakeries) but this little coastal village is much closer to the open ocean, with direct access to Binalong Bay Beach. We drove past luxury beachfront mansions and saw many more holiday homes available for rent online. The absolutely stunning Skeleton Bay Reserve at the tip of Binalong Bay resembles an archipelago of fiery orange granite boulders – the perfect introduction to the glorious Bay of Fires.
The simultaneously east and west-facing Binalong Bay also offers the possibility of catching phenomenal seaside sunrises and sunsets. On our first evening here, we parked our motorhome at the Binalong Bay Boat Ramp while savouring our sushi and miso ramen dinner from Azuki Japanese Fusion. We alternated between dipping our toes into the water at the end of the boat ramp and resting in the warmth of our motorhome, as we watched the sun set over the horizon.
The Bay of Fires refers to an entire area near St. Helens, renowned for the fiery orange boulders lining Tasmania’s pristine north-east coast. Underpinning these iconic lichen-covered boulders, is a collection of the most stunning white sand beaches and lovely beachfront campsites, set against azure blue waters and the perfect summer weather.
In one day, we must have stopped over at at least ten different locations, most of which were in a straight line between St. Helens and The Gardens – a mere 25 minutes drive away. Each of the sub-sections below will cover one specific area, most of which are within a couple of minutes driving distance of each other.
The Gardens
The Gardens, in my opinion, was the nicest spot in the Bay of Fires area. This was the northernmost point we visited, and also the first place we visited in the morning. We also returned here after an entire day of exploring the coastline, and enjoyed a perfect peaceful sunset here.
Situated at a protrusion on the coastline, The Gardens gave us very memorable panoramic views of the ocean. There were countless orange rock formations, in all permutations and combinations, scattered throughout the entire area. All of them were incredibly beautiful. We hopped from rock to rock, observing the fiery orange lichen up close and pausing to admire the waves continuously crashing on the rocks. Some of these boulders formed their own tiny ecosystems, with sea creatures swimming around in the undisturbed waters of rock pools. These boulders, were also our playground for the day.
On the other side of this protrusion was a pristine white sand beach tucked away in a quiet cove, set against the backdrop of more orange boulders. Crystal-clear, shimmering waters ebbed and flowed gently against the shore. This was a stunning sight to behold but beyond that, the vibes were immaculate as well. The ambient temperature was perfect, with lots of sun and a little constant breeze. The entire area was remote enough for us to have the The Gardens to ourselves, and it felt like I was marooned on an untouched remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, we occasionally crossed paths with fellow visitors, which reminded us that we were actually just a stone’s throw away from our modern motorhome.
We loved The Gardens so much that we returned after an entire day of exploring the Bay of Fires. As golden hour descended upon us, the warm tones of the sunlight accentuated the fiery orange boulders, which now glowed brilliantly in the setting sun. As the sun continued to set behind us, the sky lit up with gentle hues of pastel orange and pink, which complemented the bold orange accents of the boulders. As it got colder, we hopped around the rock formations once more, to admire the sea up close – now darker and quieter. Sunsets like these always manage to create introspective moments where I reflect upon myself and contemplate the meaning of life. Feeling accomplished after an entire day of experiencing the best of the Bay of Fires, we bade farewell to The Gardens, right before the point where we would have to drive back to St. Helens in pitch darkness.
Taylors Beach
A quick scenic coastal drive from The Gardens brought us to Taylors Beach – a much longer, slightly crescent-shaped white sand beach with the same crystal-clear turquoise waters and peaceful tranquility. You would see two things if you pull up satellite images from Google Maps – the alluring blueish ombré of the sea, and the multiple little enclaves every couple of hundred meters along the main road providing direct access to Taylors Beach.
We stopped at one of these enclaves and spent some time walking along the beach. Each of these enclaves offered some privacy, as if it was your own little campsite. If we had been more adventurous, we would have camped overnight in our motorhome, at one of these enclaves. Taylors Beach is directly east-facing and with unblocked panoramic views of the open ocean, we would wake up to what I would imagine to be literally the perfect sunrise.
Sloop Rock Lookout / Seatons Cove
Slightly past the southern end of Taylors Beach was another worthwhile stop located on another protrusion along the coastline. We parked at this unmarked carpark and searched for the trail to Sloop Rock Lookout. A small clearing amidst the thick vegetation signposted the start of this very short and narrow trail through the trees. We crouched under tree branches and pushed through overgrown vegetation, trusting that the supposed “trail” on Google Maps actually existed but also knowing that we were at most 200 meters from either the exit or our motorhome.
After a few minutes, we emerged through a small opening on the other side of the trail, to the familiar sight of the orange boulders all around. From here, I saw my favourite ancient geographical feature – the Middle Finger Rock.
Heading back through the vegetation and returning to our motorhome, we embarked on a thirty seconds drive to Seatons Cove. A quick stop here on the way back to the main route would suffice. Seatons Cove was a small and cozy campsite, with a laidback beach holiday vibe. The scenery here was average (especially coming from The Gardens and Taylors Beach), but I enjoyed people-watching here – seeing locals pull up in their boat trailers, cracking a cold one with the boys, or hanging their wetsuits on makeshift laundry lines.
Cosy Corner / Jeanneret Beach
Another white sand beach, another sheltered cove with clear turquoise waters, more orange boulders – you could skip this (or Seatons Cove) but since it’s directly on the route back to St. Helens, no harm making a quick stop here to immerse yourself in the Tasmanian camping culture. Cozy Corner lived up to its name, as a still cozy but much larger campsite than Seatons Cove. If you miss human contact, you can walk along the beach with other holiday-goers and try to scale some of the more vertically orientated orange boulders on the beach
Similar to Cosy Corner and just down the road, Jeanneret Beach is home to another campsite and has lovely, slightly more rugged views of the orange Bay of Fires rocks.
Stieglitz / St. Helens Point / Peron Dunes
Driving through St. Helens, in the opposite direction of the above places of interest, would take you through the rural localities of Stieglitz and Akaroa, with various boat ramps offering interesting perspectives into the maritime culture of Tasmanian towns.
I recommend one final stop at Beerbarrel Beach, which has some of the best classic combinations of the azure blue waters and bold orange rock formations we grew accustomed to seeing throughout our time at the Bay of Fires.
Day 7: From St. Helens to Coles Bay
The drive down East Coast, from the Bay of Fires to Freycinet National Park, is an incredibly scenic coastal drive with many noteworthy stops, especially the idyllic seaside town of Bicheno.
Shelly Point
Shelly Point is a beach just outside of St. Helens, and was just a convenient stop I didn’t give much thought to. But just a few seconds after stepping onto its crunchy “sand” beach, its name completely made sense to me – Shelly, as in sea shells! The entire beach was covered in a thick layer of sea shells, which was quite a unique sight to behold as I scoured the shelly beach for some pretty souvenirs. Here, the shimmering sea was an even more intense shade of blue and the water, even clearer.
Four Mile Creek
Another brief stop for us to stretch our legs, Four Mile Creek was the first beach in awhile to shed the intense orange palette, reverting back to a somewhat more familiar grey rocks and blue sea colour palette.
I want to highlight this one random turnout along the Tasman Highway, just a few kilometres south of Four Mile Creek, which offered one of the most stunning panoramas of the Tasman Sea, and the winding Tasmanian coastline.
East Coast Natureworld
To interrupt the monotony of the glorious beaches we saw over the past two days, we visited East Coast Natureworld – a wildlife sanctuary housing the most iconic Tasmanian animals. We saw devilish-looking emus, curious kangaroos, and friendly white wallabies which roamed freely alongside us. Of course, there were large Tasmanian devil and quoll enclosures as well. I loved tracking the two resident echidnas as they lumbered around clumsily (but extremely adorably) their enclosure, devouring heaps of ants with their long and sticky tongues. Alas, we didn’t manage to catch a glimpse of the elusive wombat, or of Tasmanian snakes no matter how hard we tried to beat their camouflage.
Bicheno
Bicheno is an idyllic seaside town, with ample things to do, see, and eat. This was our last stop before reaching Freycinet National Park. If you have time for only one stop between the Bay of Fires and Freycinet National Park, Bicheno would be my top recommendation.
Upon reaching Bicheno, we drove straight to Lobster Shack Tasmania for one of the best meals of our trip. We had very fresh fish and chips, a rather average lobster roll, but the most delicious seafood chowder I’ve ever had in my life. This two-story wooden shack overlooked a whiskey distillery and a tiny jetty, giving us the perfect lunchtime view of the crystal clear waters of the beautiful harbour.
If your schedule permits, you can take a stroll along the Foreshore Walking Track, which connects directly to Peggy’s Point at the tip of Bicheno, and Waubs Beach. In the interest of time, we drove directly and parked at the Bicheno point on the National Whale Trail. From this vantage point, we had great views of Waubs Beach and the collection of luxury beachfront villas in the background. When we were here, strong gale warnings were in force across eastern Tasmania. Boats in the harbour rocked turbulently in the choppy waters, waves crashed violently onto the breakwater, and the winds carried the resultant sea spray directly into our faces. We spent a couple of minutes at Peggy’s Point before heading to our last stop in Bicheno – the Bicheno Blowhole.
Day 7-8: Freycinet National Park
Freycinet National Park was one of the most incredible places we visited in Tasmania. If a book on Tasmania needed a cover, a picture of the absolutely stunning Wineglass Bay from atop The Hazards would be a worthy one.
The Hazards is a mountain range consisting of five granite mountains in Freycinet National Park, and is also the gateway to the marvellous wonders of the Freycinet Peninsula. Beyond The Hazards lay some of Tasmania’s most untouched wilderness, including the pristine white sand beaches of the iconic Wineglass Bay.
There is an astounding range of hikes available in Freycinet National Park, from a ten minute stroll atop a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk just outside the visitor center, to multi-day bushwalks around Freycinet Peninsula. Mount Amos, part of The Hazards, offers possibly the best view in all of Tasmania (you will need to work hard for this view).
When you’re done roughing it out in the wilderness, the modern amenities of Coles Bay are just a quick drive away. With an abundance of accommodation and dining options, and beautiful beaches which you can drive right up to, Coles Bay is the best place to stay during the Freycinet part of your trip.
Freycinet National Park Visitor Center / Best Hikes
Your first stop should naturally be the Freycinet National Park Visitor Centre, situated unmissably along the only road leading into Freycinet National Park. Here, you can purchase your Parks Pass if you haven’t already done so. The well-designed infographics will also provide you an enthralling introduction to the geological features of the area. Most importantly, you’ll get safety tips and critical information on the various hiking routes.
The trailheads of the hikes described below are located a short drive from the visitor center, at this carpark, which also has toilet facilities and a drinking water fountain. If you have only two days, these are the ones I’d recommend. It would be prudent to budget an additional day for bad weather.
First Day – Wineglass Bay
Wineglass Bay Lookout Trail: This is a relatively easy 1 – 1.5 hours (return) hike up gravel paths and steps, which will take you halfway up the Hazards to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. Here, you will get a gorgeous and almost unblocked view of Wineglass Bay.
Wineglass Bay Beach: From Wineglass Bay Lookout, if you decide to proceed further, you can actually descend to Wineglass Bay Beach itself. This will take another 1.5 – 2 hours (return) and 1,000 stairs. I would guess this contributes significantly to why Wineglass Bay Beach is relatively “untouched”.
Hazards Beach: From this point, you can either ascend back to Wineglass Bay Lookout and backtrack to the carpark, or take the scenic route across the isthmus (via the Isthmus Track) to Hazards Beach, and then back to the carpark via the Hazards Beach Track. This one way route will take you about 3 hours.
The three hikes above form a very natural circular loop which starts and end at the carpark, so it would make sense to do them at one go, subject to one’s personal fitness. The more areas you want to cover, the earlier you should start your day. Bring plenty of food and water, and keep track of time.
Second Day – Mount Amos
Mount Amos – This iconic hike to the summit of Mount Amos involves steep sections and some boulder scrambling. If you reach the summit, you’ll get utterly breathtaking, unblocked panoramic views of Wineglass Bay and the entire Freycinet Peninsula. I would recommend packing some food for a short picnic at the top. This would take you 3-5 hours (return).
Warning: Only attempt this if you have at least moderate fitness, if there is perfect non-rainy/snowy weather, and I highly recommend doing this with a buddy
You’ll descend via the same route. Some may feel that the way down is more difficult than the way up. After which, you’d probably be recuperating and enjoying the rest of the afternoon over a sumptuous seafood feast in Coles Bay. Then, from one of the many magical beaches in the area, watch the sun set over the dramatic peaks of The Hazards. At least, that’s what we did.
Wineglass Bay Lookout Hike
Starting at the carpark (I’ve provided the exact coordinates here as for some reason, it is unmarked on Google Maps, so ), this is a relatively easy but rather steep 1.3km trail via well-constructed tracks. Along the way, there are various viewpoints where you can admire the alluring waters of Coles Bay behind you. In less than an hour, you will reach the Wineglass Bay Lookout – a series of boardwalks and spacious viewing platforms from which you can see an almost unblocked view of the crescent-shaped Wineglass Bay.
We embarked on this trail right before closing time, having made it here after spending half a day on the road from St. Helens. As you can see from the pictures below, we were blessed with relatively good weather, with golden hour bathing the entire Freycinet Peninsula in a warm glow. Interestingly, throughout the entire hike, there was a smoky burning smell in the air. I wondered if there was a bushfire nearby, and I wondered if we would quickly be trapped in a 9-1-1: Lone Star kind of wildfire. Mobile data was patchy and we couldn’t confirm our suspicions initially, but some small talk with fellow hikers revealed that there was indeed a bushfire nearby. This explains the smoggy skies you see in the pictures below, despite the apparent clear weather.
At Wineglass Bay Lookout, you have the option of backtracking back to the carpark, which we took because the park was closing. What we would have loved to do was descend the 500 step stairs to Wineglass Bay Beach itself, and then spend the rest of the day heading across the isthmus to Hazards Beach, and then taking the Hazards Beach Track back to the carpark.
Mt Amos Track
The grand ascent of Mt Amos was the magnum opus of our entire Tasmania trip, a fitting climax to an extraordinary ten-day epic road trip.
At a little hut right at the start of the hike was a log book which advised us to “record your trip intentions in the log books as this will help searchers to locate you if you are reported overdue or missing”. The Mt Amos track shared the same trailhead as the Wineglass Bay Lookout Hike, but that’s as far as the similarities go. At the point where the paths diverged was an ominous warning sign with a picture of a man scaling an almost vertical rock face. Bright red words read, amongst others, “The Mt Amos track is arduous and difficult to follow” and “this track requires boulder scrambling and has some extremely steep sections”. I guess this would have deterred casual hikers or those who hadn’t done much research beforehand. We did our research before deciding to embark on this hike, and we concluded that while seemingly difficult, it should be manageable if we’re well-prepared. Besides, many people complete this hike every season. On hindsight, I would say that if you’re moderately fit with decent athleticism, you would have no problem completing this hike in good weather, with good shoes. The reward which awaits you at the end – is absolutely extraordinary.
The epic hike started with a dirt track of gradual incline, a convenient warm-up for what lies ahead. Right before the dirt track evolved into scrambling up massive granite boulders, another warning sign cautioned us to turn back if we were not ready. For the next two hours, we scrambled up huge flat boulders, got on all fours to climb steep sections, and balanced our way through narrow crevasses. It wasn’t technically difficult, but losing our footing could honestly have had dire consequences. It was incredibly exciting as we cleared these physical bouldering challenges one by one, wondering what the next section would look like. Sometimes we heaved a sigh of relief, sometimes we prayed for it to be over. It was a field day for a recreational boulderer like me. For directions, we could only rely on tiny bright yellow markers embedded in the rocks to guide us. At times, we questioned if we were heading in the right direction, but fortunately we always managed to find the next yellow marker. Throughout the entire ascent, we stopped every couple of minutes to admire the view of the picturesque Coles Bay behind us (while one of us was fighting for her life).
Near the top, a flatter section of the mountain gave us some respite from the boulder scrambling. After one final steep section (on one side was this deep chasm capable of re-enacting a 127 Hours moment), we reached the Mount Amos Lookout.
The view from here, was simply lovely.
Standing atop Mt Amos, we had completely unblocked, sweeping panoramic views of the entire Freycinet Peninsula. On one side was the magnificent Wineglass Bay and on the other, separated by an isthmus, was Hazards Beach. In the background was the lush greenery and rugged mountainous landscape of Freycinet Peninsula. Wineglass Bay had the bluest waters and whitest beach I’d ever seen, its crescent-shaped profile perfectly crafted by mother nature. Far below, waves ebbed and flowed rhythmically along the surface of the aqua blue sea, breathing life into an otherworldly calm scene. Freycinet Peninsula felt like an untouched paradise, straight out of a science fiction movie set on a distant Earth-like planet. We spent quite some time at the summit bouncing around on the rocks at the edge of the cliffs, enjoying a well-deserved snack, and taking a million pictures of the million dollar views.
The descent was less tiring, but slightly more dangerous as we could have rolled down the rocks. We were, however, massively buoyed by the sense of accomplishment from having summited Mt Amos. Morale was high, and we were excitedly anticipating the restful and relaxing afternoon planned for Coles Bay. When we got back to the trailhead, we proudly recorded our exit time in the logbook and took a picture with the danger sign as a souvenir of our efforts.
Coles Bay
We stayed in Coles Bay while exploring Freycinet National Park. We stayed at BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park, which itself must have been one-tenth of the land area of the very walkable Coles Bay. After our arduous Mount Amos hike, we pampered ourselves with oysters, a pizza and pasta at Geographe Restaurant and Espresso Bar, before stocking up on snacks at the local general store. We drove fifty meters down the slope and parked near the boat ramp, enjoying views of The Hazards across the sea and soaking in the idyllic vibes of this laidback seaside town.
Richardsons Beach / Honeymoon Bay
Around the Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park area were many smaller beaches. Along the way to and fro our hikes, we stopped at a few of these beaches simply because it was convenient, and some of them turned out to be magical.
Richardsons Beach was taken straight out of a fairy tale. We stopped here on the way back from the Wineglass Bay Lookout hike, just as golden hour set in. From the carpark, a narrow dirt path led to the beach and as the sea came into view through the clearing, I froze in my tracks from how magical this scene looked.
The setting sun bathed the entire beach in a warm golden pastel glow, it’s perfect position in the sky creating a shimmering surface on the sea which sparkled and extended all the way towards the horizon. The sea was slightly choppy, and sizable waves crashed rhythmically onto the sea shore, interrupting the otherwise peaceful scene. The final touch – smog from a nearby bushfire which created a misty, dream-like atmosphere all around us, blanketing the entire scene in soft pastel hues. There was barely anyone else around. It was absolute perfection.
At Honeymoon Bay, you can dip your feet into the calm, crystal clear waters while enjoying a full view of the Hazards. We saw a family having a nice little picnic on the flat rocks while waiting for the sun to set
Kate’s Berry Farm
There are plenty of farms and vineyards in Tasmania. Kate’s Berry Farm is an small but interesting farm which we stopped briefly at en-route to Port Arthur. As its name suggests, this farm grows a variety of berries and produces products made from fresh berries – ice creams, jams, cakes, pies, and more. We ate some scones with berries jam, at the very idyllic alfresco dining area of the farm’s cafe, soaking in the views of Great Oyster Bay in the background. The decades-old newspaper cutouts proudly hung on the wall spoke of the rich history of the farm, and told the story of one Catherine Bradley who started a new berry-farming life in Tasmania in the 80s. I casually asked the lady at the counter if she was Kate, and I found out incidentally that the farm had just been freshly sold to a new owner, who took over the farm the week we were there – the end of an era.
Day 9: Port Arthur / Tasman National Park
Tasman National Park
Tasman National Park is a natural wonderland, with many impressive, larger-than-life geological marvels shaped by millions of years of natural forces. Dramatic cliffs, weathered coastlines, towering natural arches, and peculiar natural formations are just some of the things you’ll see in the wild and rugged Tasman Peninsula.
You can visit the top attractions in one fully packed day (which was what we did), but you’d probably need a couple of days to fully experience what Tasman National Park has to offer. Port Arthur, located right in the middle of the Tasman Peninsula, is where we stayed. If you have the opportunity, please do what we didn’t manage to do – visit the Port Arthur Historic Site and explore the dark history of Port Arthur, of both bygone eras and recent times.
Tasman Arch / Devil’s Kitchen
The eponymous Tasman Arch is a massive coastal formation formed by the collapse of the roof of an ancient sea cave. The best view of the Tasman Arch is from the carpark itself, where upon following signs to a non-descript signboard, you’ll suddenly realize that you’re at the edge of a towering cliff, with the larger-than-life Tasman Arch right in front of you.
For an even more spectacular view of the cliffs, head to Cliffs Lookout Point about 100 metres beyond the Tasman Arch viewpoint. Here, you will see an entire winding coastline of towering cliffs rising majestically from the Southern Ocean itself.
A short walk from the Tasman Arch will take you to Devil’s Kitchen, another remarkable formation in a more advanced stage of collapse (an arch without its roof) than the Tasman Arch.
Remarkable Cave / Maingon Bay
Even if you’re not in a motorhome, the carpark at Maingon Bay is a great place for a mid-day picnic (or nap). From the carpark itself, you will get great views of the Southern Ocean and the coastal sea cliffs.
Of course, the highlight here is Remarkable Cave. A short descent down some stairs built into the edge of the cliffs will take you right to the base of Remarkable Cave. From the viewing platform, you can look through the ancient cave, directly out to the open ocean. Depending on the tide, the ocean can reach levels that are excitingly close to where you’re standing.
Tessellated Pavement
A peculiar and rare geological feature, Tessellated Pavement is a completely natural coastal formation of almost perfectly tiled rocks. From the carpark, a short walk takes you to sea level where you can get up close to this mesmerizing phenomenon.
Tasman Blowhole / Fossil Bay
Fossil Bay and the Tasman Blowhole are located at same area, with only a short walk separating them.. Fossil Bay Lookout takes you up close to the ferocious strength of the ocean, relentlessly battering those weathered cliffs like it has done for millions of years. At the Tasman Blowhole, waves rushing through a sea cave erupt into a geyser-like plume when they crash onto the rocks. Unfortunately, we weren’t there at the right time to catch the spectacle.
Tasman National Park Lookout
Our final scenic stop on our final morning, was the Tasman National Park Lookout. On the way out of Port Arthur, we stopped by this little cozy area with some food carts, people enjoying picnics on the grass, and with views of Tasman National Park in the background. At this point, we had already seen so much of the amazing sights which Tasmania had to offer, that mere views of rugged coastal cliffs along weathered coastlines or crystal blue waters no longer had that mind-blowing effect on us.
Yet, I remember this place fondly. It was special because this was where we effectively bade farewell to Tasmania, where we ended our 10-day epic journey before heading back to Hobart to return our motorhome. I took a moment to say goodbye, to remember all the beautiful things we saw and wonderful things we experienced.
And with that, our 2025 Tasmania summer motorhome road trip came to a beautiful end.
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