Three Capes Track

Walk Overview

Tasmania’s recently completed Three Capes Track has quickly assumed a prominent place amongst Australia’s finest multi-day walks. In only 46 kilometres and over four days, walkers can experience dramatic sea-cliffs, tall eucalyptus forest, rain forest and colourful coastal heathland. The Tasman Sea is almost always within sight and the next landmass south is Antarctica. The overnight huts are equipped with gas cooktops, comfortable mattresses and generous dining tables, so walkers can get by with relatively light packs.

The Three Capes Track can be walked in one direction only, with bookings for a maximum of 48 walkers per day. The track is exceptionally well made and most of it only recently completed. There are extensive stretches of timber boardwalk and inclines are carefully graded with generous stone and gravel steps. The track has been embellished and enriched with creative story-seats and intriguing art works.

When you check-in at Port Arthur Historic Site (if doing the walk independently), you’ll receive a guidebook, “Encounters on the Edge”, which includes daily walk notes, maps and 36 fascinating or quirky stories to match the above-mentioned story-seats.

Whether you do the walk independently or with a tour operator, your adventure starts with a boat trip to the trail-head. Unusually, the trail-head cannot be reached by foot!

Walkers are required to stay one night at each of the three overnight stops. At each of the stops, the bunk rooms of four, six or eight are comfortable and the kitchens are well-equipped. The buildings that comprise the overnight accommodation are architecturally conceived to maximise the location and all feature very generous verandahs and decking. There is even an outdoor shower at one.

The scenic attractions and man-made amenities have made this walk very popular, particularly over the summer months and on holiday weekends. Book ahead to see what all the fuss is about. 

Further information:

• A four day itinerary is described below.

• For more information on walking on the Tasman Peninsula, click the button below.

Itinerary

The walk takes 4 days to complete. An itinerary is shown below.

Day 1

Port Arthur to Surveyors Hut

Distance: 4km

Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Surveyors Hut

Day 2

Surveyors Hut to Munro Hut

Distance: 11km

Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Munro Hut

Day 3

Munro Hut to Retakunna Hut

Distance: 17km

Time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Retakunna Hut

Walk Options

Guided

There is only one tour operator offering the Three Capes Track as a guided trip. This operator follows an identical route to that described in the itinerary above as the private huts are generally quite close to the government owned huts referred to in the itinerary above.

The two huts used by the private operator include hot showers, a drying room and a dining and lounge area. They contain seven twin rooms, so group maximum size is 14. Group minimum size is four.

The package offered by the operator includes all meals (including three course dinners with wine) and hiking equipment. At the hut used for nights two and three, massage and other spa-type services are available. The tour starts and finishes in Hobart.

An alternative guided option is provided by a tour operator that offers a four day tour where guests stay near Port Arthur and do day walks along highlights of the Three Capes Track and other walking tracks on the Tasman Peninsula.

Assisted self-guided

We’re not aware of any operators offering comprehensive self-guided services for this walk. However, it is possible to organise private transport from Hobart to the start of the walk and from the end of the walk back to Hobart. These operators will include a provisioning stop en route to the start. In addition, there are hiking equipment rental businesses in Hobart.

Independent

Due to the popularity of the walk, there is a strict limit of 48 independent walkers per day on the track. The track fee payable by independent walkers covers:

• Boat trip to trail-head

• Bus from finish back to Port Arthur

• Bunk beds with mattresses

• Gas cooktops

• Meal preparation items and cookware

• Rainwater from tanks

• Guidebook/storybook

There are toilets at the huts and an outdoor shower at one. A Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife ranger is based at each hut. 

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for the Three Capes Track is Port Arthur, which is about a 90 minute drive from Hobart.

Independent walkers need to check-in at the Visitor’s Centre for the Port Arthur Historic Site. For those doing the guided walk, transport from Hobart is included. 

There are scheduled bus services between Hobart and Port Arthur. The bus services include a stop at Hobart Airport. From the finish of the walk at Fortescue Bay, the track fee covers a bus back to Port Arthur.

Park entry

The track fee for the Three Capes Track includes park entry, boat cruise from Port Arthur at the start of the walk, three nights’ accommodation and a bus trip from Fortescue Bay to Port Arthur at the conclusion of the walk. 

Best time

The walk is available all year round however for most people June, July and August will be less appealing given the winter conditions.

Accommodation

As mentioned above, the track fee for the Three Capes Track includes three nights’ accommodation in the environmentally sensitive cabins. The cabins have dining hubs and are equipped with heating, lighting, gas cooktops, tables and seating. Outside there are expansive decks with outstanding views. The huts are not heated so warm sleeping bags are necessary, especially in winter months.

There are some excellent accommodation options at the end of the walk at Port Arthur. 

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Other activities

As a popular tourism destination, the Tasman Peninsula offers many attractions in addition to the Three Capes Track. Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can further explore the region.

Assistance

We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.