WALK THREE CAPES

SUGGESTED PRE NIGHT ACCOMMODATION

Grand Chancellor Hobart.

DEPARTURE TIME

 7.30am

TRANSFER TIMES

Morning: 2 hour transfer from Hobart to start of the trail. Stop en route.

Afternoon: 20 minute transfer from end of walk to accommodation.

WALKING OPTIONS

Main Walk: 14kms. Some uphill and downhill sections; Good level of fitness required.  6- 6.5 hours walking with breaks. Grade: Medium
Shorter walk Option: 8kms. Good level of fitness required. 4 hours walking with breaks. Some uphill and downhill sections. Grade: Medium

TERRAIN

This walk climbs gently to a lookout atop high cliffs. The trail stays high and behind the sea cliffs before descending 200m in elevation in a series of switchbacks. There are some well-formed rock steps. The track then flattens and continues to the tip of Cape Raoul. There are some unfenced sheer sea cliffs. The trail is a firm gravel surface with short sections of boardwalk. This walk is out and back on the same trail.

ITINERARY

Main walking itinerary

You have a choice of meeting the tour group in Hobart at the Hotel Grand Chancellor on the waterfront.

Alternatively you can meet the group at our Life’s An Adventure Premises at Stewarts Bay Lodge at Port Arthur at 9.15am.

The Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart is our starting point for the Three Capes Pack Free walk. We depart at 7.30am and travel to Tasman National Park, located on the geographically isolated Tasman Peninsula. This area boasts over one third of Tasmania’s recorded plant species including more than 60 that are threatened.

We walk through tall eucalypt forest, sheoak woodland and coastal heath to reach the dramatic sea cliffs of Cape Raoul. The trail provides spectacular views of remote Tasman Island and Cape Pillar as well as vast views across Storm Bay to Bruny Island. From atop towering cliffs, you will see a colony of Australian fur seals nestled at the base of Cape Raoul and if your timing is right you may even witness the big-wave surf break of Shipstern’s Bluff.

The Shorter option

When we have a total of 8 or more people on tour, we have two guides. This allows us to split our group and offer a shorter day walk. On today’s shorter option, we walk with the group to our lunch stop, enjoying amazing views of the dolerite sea cliffs on the Raoul Plateau. Enjoy free time to take in the scenery while the rest of the group continues on, before they rejoin you on their return.

After our walk we head to Stewarts Bay Lodge for the next two night’s accommodation. Tonight, enjoy a two-course dinner at the nearby stylish 1830 Restaurant featuring local produce and wine and overlooking Port Arthur Historic Site.

Note: When there are 8 or more passengers on tour, we have two guides offering a choice of two walking options – our main walk and a shorter walking option. Tours with 7 or fewer people will only have 1 guide and therefore the shorter option will not be available. Please feel free to check with our office when booking.

TRANSFER TIMES

Morning: 23 min transfer from accommodation to start of the trail.

Afternoon: 23 minute transfer from the end of the walk to accommodation.

WALKING OPTIONS

Main walk: 17.5km. Starts with a 2 hours ascent through rainforest then descend for next 1.5 hours. Track then undulates. Good level of fitness required. 9 hours walking with breaks.

Shorter walk option: 6kms. Moderate Level of fitness required. 3-4 hours walking with breaks. Grade: Medium.

TERRAIN

This track is a narrow, natural trail with some exposed roots, rocks, logs, and some overhanging vegetation. The track begins with a steep climb with five small creek crossings. The track then descends before undulating through coastal forest. There are unfenced sheer sea cliffs.

ITINERARY

Main walking itinerary

After breakfast we head to picturesque Waterfall Bay to walk one the peninsula’s most impressive tracks. The Tasman Coastal Track is nothing short of amazing. Although this is a challenging walk it is worth the effort, with most guests saying this was the highlight of their trip.

We begin at Waterfall Bay where a 100-metre waterfall plunges into the ocean. The track then gently climbs through tall stringybark forest before entering lush and beautiful rainforest. 

For the next 45-60 minutes we climb steeply to Tatnels Hill, the highest point of the day at 548 metres. From here the climbing subsides and the trail winds downhill before undulating along the coastal escarpment. The frequent views of dramatic towering sea cliffs never fail to impress. The variety of habitats seen on this walk also provide for a great diversity of wildlife. Keep an eye out for echidnas, wombats, potoroos, pademelons and Tasmania’s endemic birdlife including the rare and endangered swift parrot. A colony of little penguins also call Fortescue Bay their home and can sometimes be seen at dusk returning to their burrows.

Shorter walking option

When we have a total of 8 or more people on tour, we have two guides. This allows us to split our group and offer a shorter day walk. On today’s shorter walk, we will follow the group through the rainforest before returning to enjoy a short sidetrip to Waterfall Bluff Lookout. We then walk north along beautiful sea cliffs via Patterson’s Arch and Devils Kitchen to the impressive Tasman Arch. After lunch, free time is available to visit Port Arthur Historic Site or relax at the lodge.

Afterwards, we return to Stewarts Bay Lodge for a relaxing night. Dinner tonight is at Gabriel’s Restaurant at the lodge. Enjoy a wonderful a la carte meal served with wine overlooking the bay.

Note: When there are 8 or more guests on tour, we have two guides offering a choice of two walking options – our main walk and a shorter walking option. Tours with 7 or fewer people will only have 1 guide and therefore the shorter option will not be available. Please feel free to check with our office when booking.

TRANSFER TIMES

Morning: 23 min transfer from accommodation to start of the trail.

Afternoon: 1.5 hour transfer from the end of the walk back to Hobart.

MAIN WALK GRADE

9km. Undulating walk, lots of up and downs with steps. Good level of fitness required. 4.5 hours walking with breaks. Medium grade.

EASIER OPTION

6kms. A shorter version of the same walk. Good level of fitness required. 3 hours walking with breaks.

TERRAIN

This track has short, steep hill sections. The trail is a firm gravel surface with many well-formed, evenly spaced rock steps. There are short sections of boardwalk. There are some unfenced sheer sea cliffs. This walk is out and back on the same trail.

ITINERARY

This morning we have a relaxed hot breakfast and give our legs a break before our afternoon walk. Choose from seeing Cape Pillar by either helicopter or cruise.

For those who join the helicopter experience, you have 1 to 2 hours free time in the morning to relax. Alternatively, our guides will take you to see other local attractions such as Remarkable Cave.

The highlight of the day is the helicopter flight which takes you for a bird’s eye view of the magnificent towering sea cliffs of Cape Pillar and remote Tasman Island with its exposed lighthouse. Subject to minimum numbers of 4 guests.

Afterwards, we visit the local Lavender Farm where you will enjoy a sit down lunch and time to wander amongst the lavender fields.

Alternatively, guests can enjoy a three-hour wilderness cruise around Cape Pillar. This exhilarating journey provides spectacular views of the Three Capes with their sheer dolerite, ‘organ-pipe’ cliffs and sea stacks. There is also the chance to spot albatross, seals, whales and dolphins. Be met at the boat after your cruise with your takeaway lunch from the Lavender Farm before driving to the start of your last walk, Cape Hauy.

*Please note Rotor-Lift Aviation may need to cancel flights due to the weather. If this happens, all guests will undertake the wilderness cruise instead. We will advise clients of this prior to departure.

The walk to Cape Hauy begins at Fortescue Bay and winds through coastal forest with an abundance of wildflowers. There are many steps on this walk, as it winds it way out to the exposed sea cliffs of Cape Hauy where a lookout platform gives unrivalled views of the off-shore sea stacks known as Totem Pole, The Candlestick and The Lanterns.

For those wanting a shorter option, there is a wonderful viewing area at the halfway point and the vista is just as spectacular. A fabulous end to your Three Capes Adventure.

After our walk, we make the return journey to Hobart.

ARRIVAL TIME

We arrive back into Hobart at approximately 8.00pm.

Airport drop-offs at 7.30pm are available enroute for those wishing to fly out that night. If booking flights please do not book before 8.30pm.

Please note: Our walk is NOT the Three Capes Track self-guided walk run by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. For information for this walk call 1300 827 727.