Three Capes Track (46km), Cape Pillar State Reserve, Tasmania

Three Capes Track is a 46km, grade 3 hike located in the Cape Pillar State Reserve, Tasmania. The hike should take around 4 days to complete.

Length: 46km

Duration: 4 days

Grade: 3

Style: One Way

Start: Port Arthur Historic Site

End: Port Arthur Historic Site

Location: Cape Pillar State Reserve

Closest town: Port Arthur

Tasmania

From state capital: 96km

Longitude: 147.8502

Latitude: -43.145824

Hike summary

You, a pack, and 46 kilometres of cliff-hugging wildness in Australia's far south-east. The next stop is Antarctica. Tasmania's Three Capes Track is not about getting from point A to point B. It's about the journey. Few places on Earth remain that feel so remote, so raw, so removed from the ordinary.

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service's ambitious track is an artwork rivalled only by the landscape.

Bookings for the multi-day Three Capes Track experience in Tasmania's far south-east are now open via the new website, www.threecapestrack.com.au
The 46-kilometre track has been designed as an achievable experience for a wide range of ages and abilities. It's been built to a dry-boot standard from a range of materials, including timbers, stone and gravel and is about one-metre wide, wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side.

The journey begins with walkers checking in at the Port Arthur Historic Site. A Pennicott Wilderness Journeys cruise then delivers walkers to the start of the track at Denmans Cove. Over four days and three nights, walkers will cover the 46 kilometres, taking in tall eucalypt forests, coastal heath and Australia's highest sea cliffs.

Evenings are spent in warm and comfortable environmentally-sensitive cabins at Surveyors, Munro and Retakunna.

For more information and to book your adventure, visit www.threecapestrack.com.au.

Day 1: 4km, 1.5 - 2 hrs

Not every walk begins with an eco-cruise aboard a purpose-built vessel. Explore coves and ancient cliffs en route to Denmans Cove (1 hour 15 minutes). Choose from an 11:30am or 2:00pm start, from August to April (11:30am or 1:30pm during May-July). The salty air is a taste of what's to come. Your two hour walk leads through eucalypt woodland and coastal heath to Surveyors cabin. This is the part where you stop, unlace and breathe it all in. Park yourself on the panoramic deck looking across to Cape Raoul.

Day 2: 11km, 3.5 - 5 hrs

Today is a day of contrasts. Revel in the fragrant eucalypt forests, be captivated by the colourful heathlands, and stride across bronzed moorlands. Your short climb to Arthur's Peak gives staggering views across sparkling Crescent Bay and beyond to Cape Raoul. Feel the space around you expand as you descend from the forested slopes of Crescent Mountain to cross the broad, windswept Ellarwey Valley. Retreat to the shelter of the forest to finally wander into your Munro cabin haven. On nature's big screen this evening - the drama of Munro Bight and Cape Hauy.

Day 3: 17km, 5 - 6 hrs

Day three, sea cliffs plunge beneath your feet. The same way they've done for eons. Front row seats to their epic vista are worthy of today's longer kilometres. Look across to Tasman Island as you take on the challenge of scaling The Blade at Cape Pillar. The track returns to Munro, allowing you to leave your pack at the cabin and walk out and back with a light day pack. Continue on through fragrant forest and heathland to Retakunna cabin. Restorative views of Mount Fortescue - tomorrow's climb - fade into your final nightfall.

Day 4: 14km, 6 - 7 hrs

Rise early for the final climb, Mount Fortescue, before venturing out to the tip of Cape Hauy. Here, you may catch a glimpse of brave rock climbers tackling the Totem Pole and other dolerite columns, while islands rise up from the sea. It's mostly downhill from this point, where the white sands of Fortescue Bay below beg for a bracing swim. Dry off just in time for your return bus trip to Port Arthur.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 45158 m
Max elevation: 484 m
Min elevation: 12 m
Total climbing: 2898 m
Total descent: -2905 m

Download file: Three Capes Track.gpx

Tips

The Three Capes Track can be admired walking in one direction, with bookings for only 48 walkers per day. Expect timber boardwalk, gravel and stone steps, with creative story-seats along the way to enrich your journey. When you check-in, you'll receive your complimentary Encounters on the Edge guidebook, which includes daily walk notes, maps and 36 extraordinary stories to match your story-seats. Walkers are required to stay one night in each overnight stop - cabins and quarters are architecturally conceived to capture nature's best side.

Overnight stops are within environmentally-sensitive cabins. Mattresses in the sleeping quarters are a welcome surprise. Shared dining hubs are equipped with heating, gas cooktops, tables and seating. Outside, relax on the panoramic decks and enjoy the staggering views.

The Three Capes Track cabins are designed to be simple and elegant with minimal environmental impact.

Gear you might need

As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>

Location

Getting there

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Let someone know before you go

It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.

Weather

About the region

Cape Pillar is a hero destination. The journey ticks all the boxes. Doable. Colourful. Fragrant. Varied. Magnificent. Powerful. Intimate.

Gallery

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Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Preparing to Hike | Hiking Safety | Hiking Skills | Hike Navigation | Hacks and Tips

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0 Reviews on “Three Capes Track (46km)”

Overall rating

Brad Atkinson

Sammie Mac Jamie MacLeod Stephanie Brosnan. Need this.
#screwworkletsgohike

24/03/2022, 05:12

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Dean Herman

Yes pls.

24/03/2022, 05:12

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1. Ali Barned
  
  You can come ?
  
  09/04/2017, 17:40
  
2. Michele Julia Howard
  
  Yes Tina. Getting very excited now.
  
  09/05/2017, 14:07
  
3. Em Elle Issa
  
  You have to buy a permit
  
  24/03/2022, 05:12

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