Tasman Peninsula | Tourist attractions | Explore Tasmania (2023)

The dramatic coastline and convict history make the Tasman Peninsula a must-see. Definitely Instagram worthy!

The Tasman Peninsula is located in south-eastern Tasmania just over an hour's drive from the capitalHobart. The Tasman Peninsula is easily accessible via the Arthur Highway, a winding 70km route through beautiful countryside and bushland. The most popular attraction on the Tasman Peninsula isPort ArthurA historic site that is often on the bucket list of tourists visiting Tasmania. Whether you visit Port Arthur or not, exploring the Tasman Peninsula is a must as the natural beauty of this region will truly impress you.

The Tasman Peninsula is a piece of land in the south-east of Tasmania, surrounded by beautiful bays and seas. The peninsula has Storm Bay to the west and south, the Tasman Sea to the east, and Norfolk Bay and Frederick Henry Bay to the north and northwest.

The peninsula is connected to the name by a small isthmusEaglehawk hals. This isthmus made the Tasman Peninsula the perfect place to host Port Arthur, the penal settlement that was home to Australia's first convict prison. In fact, the Tasman Peninsula was the perfect natural prison.

In modern times, the peninsula has become a favorite destination for Tasmanian walkers, campers and day-trippers due to its spectacular natural beauty and breathtaking views. There's also something here for history buffs, adventurers, families, and animal lovers. The Tasman Peninsula is a playground just outside Hobart that everyone will love.

It should be argued that the attraction of the Tasman Peninsula is its extremely rugged coastline. Most visitors to Tasmania will agree that the state has an oversupply of spectacular coastline, but it could be argued that the Tasman Peninsula has some of the best.

Take an eco-friendly cruise or drive across the peninsula and you'll be amazed at what the sea has carved into the land. Floating cliffs up to 300 meters high will amaze you, and if you're lucky, you'll see plentywildlifeincluding wales, dolphins, Australian seals, penguins and birds.

Another highlight of the peninsula is Port Arthur in Tasmania, officially known asPort Arthur Historic Site, one of the 5 prison sites in Tasmania that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is so much to see on a Port Arthur tour, from walks through the gardens, ruins and restored buildings, to ghost tours and even a cruise that takes you to the small islands in the bay filled with convict history.

A trip to the Tasman Peninsula is a must-see for any tourist who loves history, wildlife, adventure and animals. There is something for everyone in this beautiful region of Tasmania, and the variety of activities means you'll never feel like doing anything. Photo courtesy of Paul Hoelen and Chris Crerar

From Hobart, head east on the Tasman Highway past the airport and when you reach the town of Sorell, turn right onto Arthur Highway. Take the highway across the Forester Peninsula to Eaglehawk Neck, approximately 75km from Hobart. Eaglehawk Neck is the isthmus that connects the Tasman Peninsula near the town of Dunalley and is the gateway to your Tasman Peninsula adventure.

Accommodation in the Tasman Peninsula includes campsites, upscale motels and plenty of self-catering facilities. Within Tasman National Park is Fortescue Bay Campground, a popular campsite with 40 pitches, including RV pitches and a recreation block. Campsite reservations are recommended and can be booked through the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. Image courtesy of Tourism Tasmania and Andrew McIntosh

20 minutes south of Dunalley you will come across a bend towards the Pirates Bay viewpoint. For anyone going to the Tasman Peninsula, this should be the first stop. The spectacular Pirates Bay Lookout will give you an indication of how amazing the views and a day of sightseeing will be.

Along the road from Pirates Bay Lookout and just before Eaglehawk Neck liesmosaic walkway, an Instagram-worthy rock formation that looks more like a well-laid mass of rectangular cobblestones than a rocky beach. The best time to visit the mosaic walkways is at low tide when you can walk around and enjoy the magic of nature.

Doo-Town is a quaint little place where locals have given their name to their Doo-Something properties (there is actually a property called Doo-Something as well as some creative names like Doo-Little, Doo-Me and Love-me-Doo ). It's not often you find a community where everyone has a sense of humor!

From Doo-Town, it's a short drive to Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen, which are a short walk from their parking lots, and to Blowhole on the Tasman Peninsula, which is always a treat for kids and adults alike. Depending on the tides and weather conditions, you'll also see some amazing waves on the rocks during the short walk by the impact hole. Don't forget to visit the Amazing Cave and the Bay of Waterfalls, both of which are easily accessible by car further down the Tasman Peninsula.

When visiting the Tasman Peninsula, visit Port Arthur Historic Site, one of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Convicts. The stories, atmosphere and beautiful surroundings are amazing and really challenge visitors to imagine what the place must have looked like when it was a penal settlement.

The Coal Mine Historic Site showcases the remnants of coal mining activity in the area and consists of over 25 buildings that represent the history of coal mining in the peninsula area.

Eaglehawk Neck is the connecting point between the peninsula and the mainland and was once the site of a fierce line of guard dogs that prevented all escapees from reaching civilization. In the same place there is Officerskvarteret, a museum that shows the history of the area.

The officers' quarters were originally built in 1832 to accommodate troops stationed on the isthmus. It is believed to be the oldest half-timbered military building in Australia. Escape from Port Arthur and the peninsula was almost impossible as dogs were even stationed in the water to prevent convicts from trying to cross by sea. There is now a line and a statue of a dog in the dunes where guard dogs used to be stationed.

When traveling to Tasmania, most people want to see the infamous Tasmanian Devil, and the Tasmanian Peninsula offers that chance through the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo. Thiswildlifethe park hosts information sessions and regular devil feeding shows, as well as other animal shows such as feeding kangaroos, birds and quolls.

Keen hikers will love the Tasman Peninsula and will be especially thrilled with the 4-day Three Capes Walk, which includes Cape Raoul, Cape Hauy, Cape Pillar, and Tasman Island in the southern part of the peninsula. If time is short, there are many shorter day trips that cover parts of the peninsula within the national park. Image courtesy of Tourism Tasmania and Kathryn Leahy and Tourism Tasmania and Masaaki Aihara.

There are plenty of food options to and from these amazing attractions. Stop at one of the restaurants in Nubeena.

Australia's most famous penal colony, Port Arthur, was located on the Tasman Peninsula. Created as a natural prison, the Tasman Peninsula was extremely difficult to escape and is now a major historical attraction. Stories of convicts who were accommodated inPort Arthurthey form a significant part of Australia's colonial history, and the site itself is a fascinating and informative place to explore. Joining Port Arthur are the historic coal mine grounds and officers' quarters at Eaglehawk Neck, which together offer history buffs an exciting insight into the white settlement of Tasmania.

The Tasman Peninsula has stunning beaches, soaring sea cliffs, beautiful rock formations and lush green forests. The Tasman Peninsula is home to a wide variety of wildlife and provides great vantage points to see bald eagles, migrating whales, Australian fur seals, wombats, wallabies and many other native species. Photo courtesy of Sean Scott.

Be sure to turn towards Pirates Bay Lookout before Eaglehawk Neck, a spectacular view is an understatement.

The sea cliffs along the peninsula are high and can be dangerous. Always pay attention to the signs and do not cross the safety barriers to take photos.