Rocky Cape National Park is easy to underestimate from the Bass Highway. The park stretches between pinmatik/Rocky Cape and Sisters Beach, with heath-covered hills, rocky coves and walking tracks that range from 20-minute cultural sites to a full crossing of the park.
For a first visit, the 10 km Rocky Cape Circuit is the strongest single walk. Add one of the short cave or lighthouse tracks if you have time rather than trying to stitch every route together.
How to get there
Rocky Cape National Park is about two hours west of Launceston. The western approach turns from the Bass Highway onto Rocky Cape Road, which leads to Burgess Cove, the picnic area, boat ramp and lighthouse.
The eastern end is reached through Sisters Beach, turning from the Bass Highway towards Boat Harbour and then following the road to the coast.
What to see and do
North Cave and the lighthouse
The short western walk is about 600 m return and takes 10 to 20 minutes. It passes through coastal heath to an Aboriginal shelter and a lookout platform before returning towards the lighthouse.
The cave is a culturally significant place. Stay on the viewing platform and do not enter it.
There is also a separate South Cave walk from Burgess Cove, only about 200 m and 10 to 20 minutes return. The cave contains shell, bone and other material from thousands of years of Aboriginal occupation and should be viewed without entering or disturbing the site.
Rocky Cape Circuit
The Rocky Cape Circuit is about 10 km and normally takes 2.5 hours. The track climbs into the heath-covered hills, with a side trip to Tinkers Lookout at 291 m for broad coastal views.
The return uses Blandfordia Spur towards the coast, with the option of a side track to Cathedral Rock before heading inland again through Postmans Pass.
Banksia Grove and Sisters Beach
At the eastern end of the park, the Banksia Grove and Caves Circuit is about 1.6 km and takes up to an hour. The track climbs from near the Sisters Beach boat ramp through saw banksias and past protected Aboriginal shelter sites.
Stay on the formed track and viewing platforms around cultural material.
The loop can be extended to Lee Archer Cave, where a viewing platform protects midden material while still giving a clear view of the shelter. Wet Cave sits lower on the route near the coast. Keep to the formed track and platforms around all cultural sites.
The full park crossing
The Inland Track runs about 15 km between pinmatik/Rocky Cape and Sisters Beach and takes 3.5 to 4 hours one way. There is also a rugged coastal route of similar duration.
Both make more sense with a car left at each end or a pre-arranged pickup. They are not necessary for a first visit unless a point-to-point walk is the purpose of the day.
The coastal alternative is rougher than the inland route and includes rock-hopping around the shoreline before Anniversary Bay. It should be chosen because you want a rugged coastal day, not simply as a prettier return option.
How much time to allow
Allow three to four hours for the Rocky Cape Circuit plus a short stop near the lighthouse. A full day gives you room to explore Sisters Beach as well.
If you are walking from one end of the park to the other, treat it as a separate plan and arrange transport before setting out.
Practical notes
- A valid Tasmania parks pass is required.
- Several caves and shelters contain culturally significant Aboriginal material. Do not enter protected cave sites.
- Phytophthora is present in the park. Remove soil from footwear when leaving.
- The longer Inland and Coastal routes are one-way walks unless you arrange a return.
- Take care driving around Sisters Beach at night because wildlife frequently uses the unfenced road.
- North Cave, South Cave and Lee Archer Cave are culturally significant Aboriginal places. Use the viewing platforms and do not enter or disturb cave deposits.
- If completing a one-way crossing, arrange the second vehicle or pickup before starting. Mobile reception should not be treated as the transport plan.
A suggested plan
Start at pinmatik/Rocky Cape with the short lighthouse and North Cave walk, then make the Rocky Cape Circuit the main walk of the day.
If you still have time, drive around to Sisters Beach for the Banksia Grove circuit and a quieter finish on the eastern side of the park.