Tasman Coastal Trail

Starting from the Devil's Kitchen carpark at the end of Tasmans Arch Road, Tasman National Park, this walk takes you along the coast to Fortescue Bay via the Tasman Coastal Trail. You can find some of Tasmania’s most dramatically beautiful coastal scenery on the east coast of the Tasman Peninsula, and experience breathtaking views from the clifftops over beautiful little bays and small offshore islands. A well-defined track follows the spectacular 300m dolerite cliffs along the coast, where you can see an array of wildlife; seals, penguins, dolphins and whales at various times, with fur seals on the rugged coastline, and fairy penguins along the foreshore. The walk starts at Devil's Kitchen, a spectacularly collapsed archway in the sea cliffs, with waves surging in and out below. From here it’s around a 2km hike to Waterfall Bay, where falls cascade over 100m from the clifftops into the sea. After following the dolerite cliffs for several hours the track descends to the lovely Bivouac Bay, and then just around the corner to Canoe Bay, where you can spot the sunken remains of the steamship William Pitt protruding from the water. From here it is not far to the pristine white sands of Fortescue Bay, where you can take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters. This walk can be done in either direction – north to south from Devil's Kitchen to Fortescue Bay, or the other way around. The tracks are well-formed bush tracks, generally only wide enough for one. Some sections are rocky underfoot and/or muddy. Walkers may choose to stay overnight at Bivouac Bay or Camp Falls. Fortescue Bay has facilities such as toilets, cold showers, fireplaces and gas barbecues. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start	At the intersection of Tasmans Arch Road & Tasman Coastal Trail (-43.0436898,147.9499121)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Arthur Highway, A9 Turn on to Blowhole Road, C338 then drive for 3.1 km Turn right onto Tasmans Arch Road, C338 and drive for another 1 km
Finish	(-43.1430061,147.9620989)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Tasmans Arch Road & Tasman Coastal Trail Start heading along Tasman Coastal Trail (a walking track). Find the viewpoint at the start. After another 440 m come to the viewpoint (8 m on your left). After another 170 m come to the viewpoint. After another 690 m pass the "Patterson's Arch" (100 m on your left). Then come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left). After another 190 m come to the viewpoint (on your left). After another 345 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
	Continue straight, to head along Tasman Coastal Trail. After another 30 m come to the viewpoint (45 m on your left).
	After another 60 m (at the intersection of Waterfall Bay Road & Tasman Coastal Trail) turn right, to head along Waterfall Bay Road (a vehicle track). After another 6 m come to the viewpoint (35 m on your left). After another 25 m come to the viewpoint (35 m on your left).
	At the intersection of Waterfall Bay Road & Tasman Coastal Trail turn left, to head along Tasman Coastal Trail (a walking track).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to Waterfall Bluff Lookout. Might need some bush-bashing. There is a cliff at the end so be on alert at all times, but don't forget to enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of Tasman Coastal Trail & Waterfall Bluff Track) turn right, to head along Tasman Coastal Trail.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Tatnells Hill. May provide a better view of the landscape. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 1.8 km (at the intersection of Tatnells Hill Track & Tasman Coastal Trail) continue straight, to head along Tasman Coastal Trail. After another 7.3 km come to the "Bivouac Bay" (30 m on your right). After another 2.3 km cross the bridge (about 8 m long) After another 2.4 km cross the ford.
	After another 245 m continue straight, to head along Tasman Coastal Trail. After another 65 m come to the "Banksia Campground" (65 m on your right). About 135 m past the end is a toilet. Then pass the "BBQ Shelter" (140 m on your left).
	After another 7 m come to the end. About 30 m past the end is a car park. About 50 m past the end is "Fortescue Bay Campground - Tasman NP".

An optional side trip to Tatnells Hill. May provide a better view of the landscape.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Tatnells Hill Track & Tasman Coastal Trail Start heading along Tatnells Hill Track (a walking track).
	After another 380 m come to the end. "Tatnells Hill". Turn around and retrace your steps back the 380 m to the main route.

An optional side trip taking you to Waterfall Bluff Lookout. Might need some bush-bashing. There is a cliff at the end so be on alert at all times, but don't forget to enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Waterfall Bluff Track & Tasman Coastal Trail Start heading along Waterfall Bluff Track (a walking track).
	After another 540 m come to the end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 540 m to the main route.

Terrain

Tasman Coastal Trail

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	17.2 km
Time	8 h to 2 days

Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 4.4 km apart with the largest gap of 12.1 km.

Shelter: There is one 17.2 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 17.3 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	12.1 km	Bivouac Bay
Camp site	17.1 km	Banksia Campground
Shelter	17.2 km	BBQ Shelter
Camp site	17.3 km	Fortescue Bay Campground - Tasman NP
Toilet	17.3 km	[toilet]

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