Rocky Cape National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
Introduction
Rocky Cape National Park’s hills sweep down to sheltered bays and wild, windswept headlands. This small gem on Tasmania’s north-west coast is a great place to go swimming, diving or boating. You can explore rock pools, catch a fish and enjoy some great walks. The national park was declared in 1967 and Rocky Cape Lighthouse was erected a year later. Caves here contain Aboriginal middens that are evidence of continuous occupation over 8000 years, with remains of shellfish, seals, scale fish, grasstrees and ferns. The Indigenous community continues its close spiritual and recreational connection with Rocky Cape; visitors are requested not to enter North, South or Lee Archer caves.Many of the hundreds of species that make up the windswept coastal heathlands erupt with colourful flowers in spring and summer: boronia, purple iris, white-flowering tea-tree, yellow guinea flowers and Christmas bells. Small clusters of wattle, eucalypt, banksia and paperbark species shelter in the gullies; the stand of saw banksia overlooking Sisters Beach is a variety found nowhere else in the state. Short walks include Banksia Grove–Caves Circuit (1 hour return) and North Cave–Lighthouse (10–20 minutes return). South Cave is almost filled with shells, accumulated over many thousands of years – the walk to the entrance is also 10 to 20 minutes return. Longer walks range from the Postmans Track (2 hours) along the century-old horseback postal delivery route, to the Full Circuit Walk (25 km, 6–8 hours return), which leads along the jagged coast and into the hills to discover fascinating flora, birdlife and spectacular views.
Fact file
Camping
No camping, but nearby campsites at Peggs Beach Conservation Area
Location and access
190 km north-west of Launceston via Bass Hwy; 22 km west of Wynyard via Bass Hwy
Park Information
PWS Smithton (03) 6452 4997
Size
3064 ha
Where to Stay
Boat Harbour/Sisters Beach/Wynyard (03) 6442 4143
Explore Australia’s National Parks
Buy nowRRP $49.95