Three Capes and the Tasman Peninsula in Style - 4 Days

Three Capes and the Tasman Peninsula in Style - 4 Days

4 Days
Challenging

Three Capes and the Tasman Peninsula in Style - 4 Days

from $3,195 / person

Overview

The Tasman Peninsula is famous for its dramatic coastline of sea caves and the highest sea cliffs in Australia. This four-day guided walk visits all three capes, wandering over 180-million-year-old dolerite columns as it explores the Tasman Peninsula National Park on foot.

The route offers great variety, winding through heathland, dry woodland, and striking sections of rainforest, with wildflowers adding colour along the way. The turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Fortescue Bay and Waterfall Bay are highlights, alongside the extraordinary rock formations that make this coastline like nowhere else in Australia.

Two experienced guides take care of every detail, with pack-free walking throughout.

Highlights

  • Spectacular views from Cape Hauy back to Cape Pillar and the coast
  • The remote beauty of walking the coastal walk from bay to bay, through rainforest
  • Crystal clear water and unspoiled pure white sand
  • Visiting all 3 capes - Walk Cape Hauy and Cape Raoul, marvel at Cape Pillar from sea level on the award winning Wilderness Cruise
  • From the boat, you might even spot migrating whales!
  • Explore the unmissable Port Arthur historical site
  • Shipstern Bluff, with its huge surf breaks, towering sea cliffs and soaring dolerite columns
  • 2 engaging, knowledgeable and experienced guides
  • Enjoy chef-prepared restaurant meals

Itinerary

Day 1

Hobart to Tasman Peninsula and Cape Hauy Walk
12 km

Depart Hobart at 7.30 am and travel to the Tasman Peninsula. Today’s walk begins with the hike to Cape Hauy, the first of the Capes we explore. This is an epic walk with spectacular views back to Cape Pillar and the coast. This is touted as being one of Tasmania's 'Top Walks'. Easier option is available

Accommodation

Log Cabins in Port Arthur

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

Log Cabins (3 nights)

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

Included Activities

  • 3 hour wilderness cruise along dramatic cliffs
  • Port Arthur Historic site admission

How We Rate This Walk

5

Auswalk Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

3

Days on the trail

12-18 km

Daily distance range

29-1166 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Waking up to the sound of the beach on one side and ancient forest on the other is what three nights at Stewarts Bay Lodge on the Tasman Peninsula looks like. Nestled between the beach and the forest with stunning water views, it provides a well-positioned base for every walking day on this walk.

Your private room with a private bathroom sits within a fully equipped two-bedroom chalet, with either a water or bush outlook. The common areas of the chalet, including the lounge, dining area, outside deck and full kitchen, are shared with the occupants of the second bedroom, who are also part of your walking group. Each chalet holds three to four people, and rooms are allocated on a first-come basis.

Single Travellers

Your single supplement guarantees a private bedroom and bathroom within a two-bedroom chalet. The common areas of the chalet are shared with other walkers from the group. No single chalets are available.

What You'll Eat

Meals on this walk are prepared by professional chefs at the lodge restaurant throughout. Wake to a proper cooked breakfast each morning before heading out onto the Tasman Peninsula, with three included across the walk. Four walker's lunches are taken out on the trail daily, enjoyed at some of the most breathtaking spots on the Three Capes Walk, including Cape Hauy and Raoul, and always enhanced by Auswalk's own trail mix and snacks. Come evening, three two-course à la carte dinners are waiting at the lodge restaurant, a well-earned close to a day on one of Australia's great walking tracks.

Due to the remote nature of the Three Capes Walk and occasional staffing limitations, the restaurant may close at short notice. In these instances, an alternative restaurant nearby will be arranged.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in more remote parts of this walk.

More About This Trip

The walk both starts and finishes in Hobart, Tasmania. Hobart Airport (HBA) is well connected with domestic flights from major Australian cities. The walk departs at 7.30am from St Ives Apartments, 67 St Georges Terrace, Battery Point, Hobart, on the first day.

The walk returns to Hobart at approximately 5.00pm on the final day, with a drop-off at Hobart Airport first if needed, followed by St Ives Apartments.

This guided group walk has scheduled departure dates from September to May. Spring brings wildflowers, warming temperatures and lengthening days. Summer offers the warmest and driest conditions, with long daylight hours and the dramatic dolerite cliffs at their most vivid. Autumn brings cooler temperatures between 13°C and 20°C and a more peaceful atmosphere on the trail. Spring and autumn also bring migrating whales along the coastline, visible from the clifftop lookouts. Pack waterproofs and warm layers whatever the month; Tasmania's weather can change quickly.

Most tracks are in good condition, with sections of ascent and descent offset by shorter overall distances. There is plenty of additional walking available for those who wish to push further. Two experienced guides lead throughout, with easier and more challenging options available along the way. Sturdy walking boots with reliable grip and ankle support are essential.

A regular training routine of three to four times per week, with some hill work incorporated, is recommended in preparation.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Finishing in Hobart, the trip ends near two of Australia's most celebrated cultural attractions. MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) is a privately owned subterranean gallery of ancient and provocative contemporary art set into a sandstone cliff on the Derwent River, reached by ferry from the city waterfront and widely regarded as one of the most significant art museums in the southern hemisphere. The Salamanca Market, held every Saturday in the historic Georgian warehouse precinct on Salamanca Place, fills over 300 stalls with local produce, craft, art and food.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Three Capes reviews

4.9
182 reviews
5 Star
170
4 Star
12
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0

Melissa O
2 months ago

Our Auswalk holiday was so much fun! All the logistics and everything was taken care of which made it easy to relax and enjoy ourselves. The accommodation was outstanding and meals we superb. Highly recommend!

Susanne S
3 months ago

The Three Capes, Mt Brown and Port Arthur walking trip certainly exceeded our expectations. Some of the walking days provide challenges, but the views of the cliffs and geological formations are amazing, and well worth the effort. The delightful accommodation and high quality meals in the evening are the perfect way to bookend the day. We recommend this trip with Auswalk.

Catherine D
3 months ago

Damien Jones, our driver and guide, made contact prior to pick up and we were picked up at our departure point in the CBD on time and Damien was very friendly and helpful with luggage and advice. Entire trip went extremely well.

Laureen S
3 months ago

A great experience with fabulous, easy to follow trails and stunning views. The accommodation at Stewart Bay Lodge was wonderful and dinners at the restaurant were also a highlight! Definitely will be recommending The Three Capes with AusWalk to friends.

Janet W
3 months ago

Overall, it was a wonderful break, and I truly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the welcoming atmosphere. Despite these few logistical points, the holiday was a great success, and the hospitality at the Lodge was a highlight. Thank you for a memorable stay!

Libby R
4 months ago

Everything was very seamless. The notes were very good. I found the first day with endless steps the least enjoyable.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A discount applies if you self-drive to Stewarts Bay Lodge. You'll need to arrive by 9:30 AM on Day 1, dressed and ready to walk, with your own lunch for that day.

The Three Capes walks are spectacular and genuinely rewarding, though they do require a solid base fitness. Full day walks average 15–16km with meaningful elevation, and some sections involve exposed ridgelines and clifftop tracks. Shorter options are available on Day 1 (Cape Huay) and Day 3 (Cape Raoul) for those who prefer a more relaxed pace. Day 4 is built around a leisurely visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site. Fit walkers can extend Day 3 significantly — all the way to Ship Stern Bluff and Tunnel Bay — for a potential 25km day.

The three capes are Cape Huay, Cape Raoul, and Cape Pillar. This itinerary takes you to Cape Huay on foot (Day 1) and Cape Raoul on foot (Day 3). Cape Pillar can be experienced from the sea on the optional wilderness boat cruise, where you'll see it from water level alongside towering dolerite sea cliffs.

Stay well back from all cliff edges — Cape Lookout in particular has no fence. Always sign the Walkers' Registration Book at the trailheads before you head out and sign back in on your return. Carry at least 2 litres of water for Cape Huay and Cape Raoul — there is no water available along the tracks. Stay on the marked trails to minimise erosion, protect vegetation, and reduce the risk of encountering snakes. In an emergency, call 000 from any phone — this will roam across any available network even without your own carrier's reception.

Coverage is patchy and not available on all sections of the walk. If guaranteed coverage is important to you, consider hiring a satellite phone. Most areas around Stewarts Bay Lodge have reasonable signal.

A well-sized daypack is important — bigger than you think you'll need, as it has to fit your waterproof jacket, warm layer, packed lunch, water, sunscreen, first aid kit, and personal items. Key gear includes a quality waterproof jacket (ideally knee-length Gore-Tex), waterproof over-trousers, warm gloves, a beanie, sturdy walking boots with ankle support, sunhat, sunscreen, and at least 1–2 litres of water. Tasmania's weather is famously unpredictable — carry rain gear every day regardless of the forecast. Walking poles are optional but useful on some descents.

Tasmania's weather can change dramatically at any time of year, so always pack layers and rain gear regardless of season. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are popular for their mild temperatures and long days. Summer averages around 18°C and is generally pleasant, though wind and rain can arrive unexpectedly. Winter brings cooler, wetter conditions with temperatures averaging around 11°C. Check the Bureau of Meteorology before each day's walk.

Yes. On Day 4, you can add a 3-hour wilderness boat cruise (approximately $175 per person, at your own cost) that takes you around the base of the sea cliffs, including Cape Pillar. Depending on the season, you may see fur seals, dolphins, humpback and right whales, albatross, and sea eagles. It's a genuinely different perspective on the coastline you've spent the previous days walking above.

Australian dollars. Cards are widely accepted at Stewarts Bay Lodge and in Port Arthur (which has a general store and service station).

Yes. Please let us know your dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Want to Know More?

The Three Capes Experience

Wonder
The most dramatic coastal walk in Australia. Full stop. Auswalk to Cape Hauy beneath 180-million-year-old dolerite cliffs and sweeping coastal views
Hike Cape Raoul & climb Mount Brown via Crescent Bay for Cape Pillar and Tasman Island views
Explore Port Arthur Historic Site and Tasmania’s fascinating convict past
Wellness
Walk to the edge of the World & mean It. Move your body through ancient country that reminds you, gently but firmly, what actually matters.
Walk wild. Sleep deep. Slow travel on moderate graded tracks and first-rate trails reward steady, active days outdoors
Return to the same accomodation for chef-prepared dinners and spa chalets
Nature
This is wilderness walking at its most elemental. Wander coastal heath to Remarkable Cave, Maingon Blowhole and Crescent Bay Beach.
See Australia’s highest vertical sea cliffs, sea stacks and offshore islands
Spot whales, dolphins, albatross and peregrine falcons above the Southern Ocean