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Length: 46km
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Duration: 4 days
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Grade: 3
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Style: One Way
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Start: Port Arthur Historic Site
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End: Port Arthur Historic Site
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Location: Cape Pillar State Reserve
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Closest Town: Port Arthur
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Distance from CBD: 96km
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State: TAS
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Latitude: -43.145824
Longitude: 147.8502
Keep the Trail Access info current...

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...

Cape Pillar State Reserve...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
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
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.
About the region
Cape Pillar is a hero destination. The journey ticks all the boxes. Doable. Colourful. Fragrant. Varied. Magnificent. Powerful. Intimate.
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.
GPX File
Max elevation: 484 m
Min elevation: 12 m
Total climbing: 2898 m
Total descent: -2905 m
Hikes Nearby
134 thoughts on “Three Capes Track (46km)”
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Anna – early next year?
Of course! That sounds amazing!
Samuel, Tiarn, Ian, Jessica, Adam…… soon!!!!!!!
Clare van Balen
Oooh
Julia Vaughan….bit of Monday hiking porn for you!
Cassie Pronk
Mel Robinson
Renee Flett
Philippe Daoust
Nataly for when we are next in Tazzie
Oliver Fonsboel
Ange Downes
Jackie Higgins
Sounds amazing, but not sure I’d survive it
Sounds so good though right
Nic Benson dude
Dude fuck this looks epic
Jake Davey-Hackett
Ali
Ooh let’s go!
I was a little sad that I wasn’t included – but then I realised what it was – I’m ok with it
You can come ?
Amy
Ryan Bird have to check this out when ya back
Rebecca, Nirmani
Dylan Taylor Jules Convery Georgina Cahill
My back still hurts from carrying everything
Barney Ellard
Kim Frauke??????
Yeah!! ???
David Laugher get those knees going ?
?
Louise Kaloudis
Would love to do this… but my body wouldn’t cope at the moment 🙁
Louise Kaloudis whenever you are ready ?. It looks amazing?
Am I the only one who thinks $500 per person is a bit pricey to hike this?
So worth it !! Do it dont worry about the cost!
Worth every cent. Cabins, rangers, tracks are the best I’ve experienced and money goes towards maintaining that excellence. Plus 25% off in August!
Karen Galvin
This looks awesome guys – another one for the list?? Zandra Mathieson Colleen Boak
I’d be up for it! ?
Would love to do this with you guys!
Meg and I did this a fortnight ago. A-maze-ing. Great facilities, tracks and even weather in winter!
Jane Douglas!!!!
This is on my to do list for next year! ??
Peter Pratt, here’s one for you!
Yeah looks great keep them coming, the more I look the more there are places I want to hike.
Peter Pratt
Robyn is keen to do this walk
Maybe talk Jo into coming and you can all go
Can’t wait!! Merryn, Anita, Jan, Megan, May, Rob!!
Me too!!
Trent Ward Emily Cole plsss?? Next year? Oh wait. U guys busy with stuff. I’ll hike again by myself?
i would honestly love to do this!
The most luxurious trekking experience so far and the views are jaw dropping.
Brody Gertz ???
Michele Julia Howard
Is this what you’re doing Julia? Sounds wonderful
Yes Tina. Getting very excited now.
I’ll want hear ALL about it
Sean Cunningham
Pammie we did this last year..it’s a must do…SENSATIONAL x
Mark Denham
Alison Denham
As if you need to be told… this is on the list.
For sure! On the list already! ☺️
HowardSusanne Leisemann
Jon Milli
Andi O’Shea
Let’s go
Andi O’Shea I would love to. Need to talk ?
Ros Conroy could add it onto a footy trip?
Yes – provided it’s only a daypack to be carried!
Um think you carry everything for the 3 days ?
Stephen McDonald
Dahlen
$$
Jason Mulder Olivia Ryan Eddie Jebreen Deanne Jebreen Cambell Campbell Ryan
Louise Fava
Eddie – you have already done a cape – but perhaps you weren’t in peak condition 😉
Louise Fava puns intended. No doubt. I’ll have to do better next time….?
We’ll have to start planning. Shane can take us anywhere by boat now too….
Yep! We’re in ?
Louise Fava we just had a conversation up here a few days ago about how savage the Queensland winter “was” and how we will all need a Tassie escape come the new year. I’ll get Faves onto the planning
Eddie – awesome! We are keen as 🙂
Sharon Moore-Lambert ?
Lisa Badman
Michelle Crouch you want me to go walking let’s do this
Janice Morris
When do you start ?!
Completed this a couple of weeks ago. Amazing scenery, great features, great ranger support … what else could you ask for!!!
Oliver Bonaccorso bucket list 🙂
Fool Joshua
Glenn Robbins Karen Hill
Sheree, Anita – a great option if weather is poor for Frenchman’s?
Carolyn Bennett that looks beautiful..
Carolyn Bennett this ones on my list
Debbie Tonkin I am sure you can spare 4 days soon??
Leanne Blackman does sound good. Could try out my new hiking boots.
Debbie Tonkin TOTALLY – perfect!
Leanne Blackman me too!
Mary Watson yessssss!!!
Mat Ross let’s go
Yes pls.
Belinda Miller
Clare Minahan
Kick off on Monday! If only the weather was better!
Brilliant hike.
Kirstyn Pepping
I saw your post about hikes in Tassie. Not sure about this one but this page is great is you don’t follow it already ?
Karly Horton thank you ???
Sheree Chaffey this is what we need to do!!!!!
Chloe Trembath oh my gosh yes!!!!!
Goldie Smithgold we are doing this…
Garry Kia ok! I’ll start training now.
Sammie Mac Jamie MacLeod Stephanie Brosnan. Need this.
#screwworkletsgohike
Brad Atkinson we’ve booked Kumano Kodo and Thorsborne for next year. Could squeeze this in ?
Brad Atkinson yep.
Kirsten
Jo Parkinson so so much to do there. Erika Korte needs to open a future B and B just for our convenience.
Ooh we’d love to come stay at your b ‘n b?
Erin Hammond
Lisa Harnett
Pete Pedrosa you excited yet!?? ???
Em Elle Issa
Leonie Martin i know. I did part 1 of the trek last year. I wanna do the whole thing
Em Elle Issa lets go 🙂
You have to buy a permit
It’ll be fun Nattie ?
Darron Hart
count me in
Stuart Rogers
Carol Harman ?
I think we can smash this?
Carol Harman a walk in the park I reckon!!?
Jo Coomber
Definitely
Erika Korte