The Three Capes Track in Tasmania is a must-see destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The track winds its way through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Tasmania, offering stunning views of the Tasman Sea, rugged cliffs, and lush rainforests.
The Three Capes Track is a challenging hike, with steep inclines and rocky terrain. It is also a popular hike, so it is recommended that hikers book their trip in advance. The hike can be completed in 4 days, with overnight stays at the huts provided along the track.
Overall, the Three Capes Track is a must-do hike for anyone visiting Tasmania. It offers a unique combination of stunning views, challenging terrain, and rich wildlife, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Booking
You can visit the official website to book the Three Capes Track in Tasmania. On the website, you will find all the information about the track, pricing, availability, and booking instructions.
The Three Capes Track is a popular hike, and permits are required to walk the trail. Permits are limited and sell out quickly, especially during peak season, so it’s best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
The price I paid to complete this hike in 2023 was $495 they do have concession and child pricing of $396. This includes entry to the Port Arthur Historic Site, a Boat tour and transfer to the trailhead, 3 nights’ accommodation at the self-catered huts along the trail and a bus transfer from Fortescue Bay back to Port Arthur.
To book your permit, you will need to create an account on the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service website and follow the instructions for booking. You will need to choose your preferred dates and pay the fee for the permit. Once you have completed your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details of your permit.
Getting There
The hike begins at the Port Arthur Historic site and the trail head is only accessible via boat transfer. The boat tour is included in your permit. Port Arthur is around an hour and 20 minutes from the heart of Hobart and there a few options for getting to the starting point.
Coach Transfers
There are three options for coach transfers Pennicott Wilderness Journeys ($35), Gray Line ($45), and Tassie Link ($24.20).
I would recommend Pennicott Wilderness Journeys as their bus timetables line up perfectly with the departing times for the hike as they are the company that operates the official transfers from either end of the trail to and from Port Arthur.
I would also recommend picking the later boat transfer at 2.30pm so that you have time in the morning to explore the Port Arthur historic site before you begin the hike.
Hire Car
There are several hire car operators in the Hobart area and at Hobart airport. The Port Arthur site also has a long-term car park where you are able to leave your hire for the entirety of the hike and the coach transfer on the way back even stops here to drop off passengers.
Checking in
Once you have arrived at the Port Arthur Historic Site you will head downstairs to the dedicated Three Capes desk and check-in for your hike. If you have any excess luggage, you can store it here and pick it up when you return. The luggage room is separated from the public areas but if you are concerned about any valuables then they also have lockers available to hire.
It is advisable to arrive and check in around 90 minutes before your departure time so if you have the 11.30 boat transfer and caught the Pennicott coach then you will have roughly an hour to have a look around and grab a bite to eat at the café before you need to head down to the jetty. If you are on the 2.30 pm transfer, then you have a little more time to explore.
As the first day is only around 4kms you will still have plenty of time to make it to the hut if you get the later transfer. The rooms at the huts are predetermined by your host ranger so you also don’t need to worry about getting there first to ensure your group is bunked together.
There is a gift shop and a café that have items available for the hike but do not rely on these for supplies as they only have very minimal and very basic supplies.
Day one:
When it is time for your transfer head down to the jetty and you will be greeted by the wonderful team from Pennicot Wilderness Journeys. The trip across the Denman’s Cove would only take around 10-15 minutes if you were to go straight there but you actually get an hour-long tour of the Tasman Peninsula that you will be hiking over for the next 4 days. The tour shows you the huge Dolerite cliffs and the sea caves that have formed over 100s of years. If you are lucky and the weather is right, you might also see some seals basking in the sun.
Once the tour is over you will head for Denman’s Cove to be dropped off. The boat can get close to the shore, but you will most likely need to take off your shoes and roll your pants above your knees. The water was just above knee height when I completed the hike.
Denman’s Cove is a beautiful spot to relax and have a snack while your feet dry off or if the weather is on your side why not take a dip. This is the last time you will be this close to a body of water until the hike ends at Fortescue Bay (might as well take advantage of it).
The trail head marker is just up off the beach so be sure to take a photo before heading off. From here the track is a slow incline through the eucalypt woodland all the way to the accommodation for the night, Surveyors Cabin. About halfway to tonight cabin you will come across Surveyors Cove. This cobblestone beach is another r great spot for a snack and some time spent watching the ocean and soaking in the experience. Just be careful as the cobblestones can be slippery when wet.
Once you arrive at the Surveyors Cabin your host ranger for the evening with check you in and allocate you your room. If there is no host ranger when you arrive there will be a clipboard on the wall with names and room numbers, you can check your name off here before heading to find your room. There will also be some notes on the board listing tomorrow’s weather and the time for that night’s ranger briefing.
I highly recommend walking down to the first “Story Seat” after surveyor’s hut and there is a rock just off the path which makes for a great place to sit and watch the sunset.
As the first day of hiking is relatively short it gives you the unique opportunity to bring fresh food to cook on the BBQs. I, unfortunately, did not do this and had major food envy of everyone who cooked up steaks on the first night.
The kitchens are also equipped with pots, pans and various cooking utensils and there is plenty of space for everyone to cook. One thing I didn’t know before hiking is that each hut also has a bucket that you are able to dispose of any organic food waste in. This would have dramatically changed the food I packed to eat while on this hike so definitely take advantage of that.
The huts also have USB outlets for hikers to charge their devices. There are only USB outlets no power points so make sure that you bring just the cable to save on weight.
Day two:
Your hike this morning is only 11kms and starts off with a climb up Arthurs Peak, but you are rewarded at the top with a stunning view across to Cape Raoul and Crescent Bay. This lookout makes a great place to catch your breath as you breathe in the ocean air and enjoy this beautiful corner of the world.
There are many spectacular lookouts today and keep an eye out for any wildlife. We spotted plenty of wallabies during this stretch of the trail and we even saw an echidna.
After Arthurs peak you will pass through a section called “The Cloud Forrest” which was my favourite stretch of day two. This is a tiny section of wet forest full of moss-covered rocks and logs. If you are visiting during spring this section will be full of colour.
You will then descend into a low windswept valley and be sure to keep an eye on the ocean in case you can spot a whale or dolphins. The deep blue of the Tasman Sea contrasted against the rugged coastline, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks provided a peaceful soundtrack to the hike.
Once you head back into the shelter of the forest you won’t be far from the junction that leads to tonight’s accommodation, Munroe Hut. There is a boot wash station here before you continue for roughly an hour before arriving at tonight’s accommodation.
Munroe hut was my favourite of the track for a few reasons.
One: This hut has by far the best view of any of the huts. With a large viewing platform that allows you to look out over the Munroe Bite and all the way out to Cape Houy.
Two: This hut has a hot outdoor shower!! After two days hiking this is an absolute luxury and lasts roughly 2 minutes.
Three: Tomorrows hike is an out and back hike and there is a gear shed located roughly 100m down the trail allowing you to leave your heavy pack here and continue out to Cape Pillar with just a day pack.
Day Three:
Today is the longest stretch of the hike with 19kms to cover. The terrain is undulating the entire way and winds closer to the cliff edges as you get closer to Cape Pillar. Fortunately you can leave your heavy pack behind for majority of today and just carry a daypack with your essentials.
I would recommend packing a light lunch and eating it at “Seal Spa” as this has stunning views out to Tasman Island and The Blade, and if you are still hungry later you can make use of the outdoor facilities at Munroe Hut on your way back through.
If you are game, you have the opportunity to climb to the top of The Blade today. This is definitely one of my highlights of the hike, but I really had to challenge myself to get up there as it is very high, and the path gets quite narrow.
There will be a sign along the way that directs you up to the blade. When you get around a third of the way up there will be a sign that says that the track ends even though you can see a very well-maintained path continuing, this is because for it to be the official Three Cape Track there needs to be 2 meters of ground on either side of the track and this section is too narrow to meet that standard. The ranger at the previous night’s briefing encouraged hikers to continue if they felt comfortable and just to be careful.
After you brave The Blade, you continue on the Cape Pillar where you will be greeted with sweeping views of Tasman Island and looking back at The Blade you may even see some fellow hikers making the climb to the top.
Now its back to Munroe hut seeing those same spectacular views just from a different perspective as you head back to pick up your pack and make your way to the final hut. Retakuna hut is around an hour’s hike from Munroe so it won’t be long until you can put that pack down again.
Day Four:
Today is only 14kms and begins with a hike up Mt Fortescue but the track has plenty of spots to rest on the way up if needed at the wet forest and moss-covered rocks and trees keep the forest cool.
After you conquer Mt Fortescue, you will meander down through an ancient rainforest with enormous ferns and towering eucalypts.
As you make your way down to Cape Houy there will be a junction where you can stop and have a break. This is a great place to leave your packs as the track down to the cape from here is out and back. From here there are a lot of stairs, and I mean a lot.
There are two options from here you can head to the lookout at the bottom of the first hill which is roughly 30 minutes return and quite a few people only did this as they were intimidated by the number of stairs but to be honest, once you get this far you have already done the worst of it so you might as well continue on.
Once you are up and over the hill you will be rewarded with views out to Cape Houy, Cape Pillar and back toward Fortescue Bay. At the end of the track here there is a lookout on top of the cliff that allows you to look over all the way to the ocean and get a stunning view of the Totem Pole where at some times of the year you will get a view of brave rock climbers trying to tackle the famous route.
The stairs on the way back are punishing but without your heavy pack, it goes pretty quickly. Take a breather at the junction before heading off on the final leg of the hike and thankfully it’s pretty much all downhill from here. As you make your way down to Fortescue Bay don’t forget to take a picture with the trail marker just before the end of the trail to remember this experience.
Once you arrive at the end there is a gazebo where you can wait for the coach to transfer back to Port Arthur. There are two transfers each day one at 2.30 pm and another at 4 pm. We left the hut at 7.30 am took plenty of breaks, walked slowly and still made it to the end in plenty of time for the 2.30 bus. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a swim in the ocean here. It may be cold, but you have earned it and if you head up to the office beforehand you can get a free token to use the hot showers here.
If you arrive earlier than 2.30 and you are booked on the 4 pm bus, you can also call and see if you are able to get on the earlier transfer if you would like. We were able to do this same day as we finished with plenty of time.
Packing list
When planning for the Three Capes Track, it’s essential to pack the right gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike. Here is a suggested packing list:
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- Hiking boots or sturdy shoes with good traction (I wear the Columbia Newton Ridge Boots you can get them here)
- Socks (I also swear by using toe sock liners I used these Injinji ones and I didn’t get any blisters on this hike. Pair them with these Darn Tough hiking socks.)
- Comfortable clothes (I wear these Zorali hiking pants, I love the adjustable waist and pockets. Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece, 2 moisture-wicking t-shirts, these cosy sweatpants for sleeping, sports bra, and I like to wear boyshort underwear whilst hiking to fight off chafing and I love these Reebok ones)
- Waterproof jacket and pants ( I use the Northface Venture Rain Jacket)
- Daypack (This one folds down so you can pack it inside your pack)
- Camping plate, bowl, cup and eating utensils (I personally only carry a spork and attach my enamel cup to the outside of my pack with a carabiner. You can get lightweight packs that have everything you need like this one or this)
- Water bottles or hydration system (The North Face pack I use has a sleeve to fit a hydration bladder which is an absolute must when hiking long distances as you don’t have to keep taking your pack on and off.)
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hat (I love this Neutrogena sunscreen. Its super lightweight and not sticky)
- Insect repellent – if you are in Australia then Bushmans is the only type that will do.
- First aid kit – like this one
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Sleeping bag (I use this one)
- Inflatable pillow (This is a creature comfort and isn’t necessary but this is the one I use)
- Food and snacks (you can dispose of organic waste in dedicated buckets at the huts)
- Large Ziplock bag (to carry out any rubbish)
- Camera to capture the beautiful views
- Bonus tip – Pack some magnesium tablets. I take 2 tablets each day when I wake up and my muscles thank me!
There are a number of things I didn’t bring on this hike that I normally would on any other hike but due to the facilities there was no need i.e. Cooking stove, Sleeping mat, power bank, head torch etc
Please note that this is a suggested packing list and hikers should adjust it according to their personal needs and preferences.
The Three Capes Track in Tasmania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed. With its stunning views, challenging terrain, and rich wildlife, it offers something for everyone. So, don’t wait any longer and start planning your trip today.
Make sure to book your hike in advance, as the track is popular, and spots fill up quickly. Pack the right gear and bring the necessary items for a safe and enjoyable hike.
Finally, don’t forget to take in the beauty of this unique landscape, and snap some pictures to remember this incredible experience. The Three Capes Track is waiting for you! Happy hiking!
The Comments
marni
Really helpful information