Rocky Cape National Park

Rocky Cape National Park (palawa kani: pinmatik) is a small national park in the northwest coast of Tasmania. It is believed to contain some rocks that are part of the Grand Canyon and evidently shows that Tasmania was once connected to the North American continent.

Understand

Flora and fauna

Coastal heathlands, found in the hilly parts of the park, harbour hundreds of different plant species, many of which adorn the landscape with their abundant blooms in spring and summer. These species are generally characterised by their low growth and tolerance to wind, salt, and fire. In fact, some species only thrive after their germination has been triggered by a bushfire. Species such as acacias and casuarinas, which grow into bushes and trees in other areas, tend to remain low due to the influence of the winds. Overall, over 40 species of orchids have been counted in the national park.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

The park is about 40 km from Burnie and is mostly accessible via good sealed roads. Use the A2 Bass Highway west for about 30 km until Boat Harbour. Once you're at Boat Harbour, turn right C232 Sister Beach Road until the end of the road. Once you're at the end of the road, you've arrived at the national park.

Fees and permits

To enter any national park in Tasmania, you'll need to have a valid park pass to enter the park, which can be found on the Parks Tasmania website. There are numerous passes available, depending on your needs. The fees are up-to-date as of February 2024.

A Daily Pass is usually valid for 24 hours and is usable in all parks, although it does not include access to Cradle Mountain. This is particularly useful if you're going to numerous nearby parks. A pass for your vehicle covers up to 8 occupants; you only need the per-person pass if you arrive outside a vehicle.

• Per vehicle: $44.75.
• Per person (≥5 years): $22.35.

If you stay in Tasmania for a few weeks and want to visit several national parks, the Holiday Pass is valid for up to two months. This also includes Cradle Mountain.

• Per vehicle: $89.50.
• Per person (≥5 years): $44.75.

There is also the Annual Park Pass, which is valid in all parks, including Cradle Mountain.

• $95.30 in general.
• $76.25 for concession holders.
• $38.10 for seniors.

If you only plan to frequently revisit one park for 12 months, it costs $48.70 for a regular adult and $38.95 for concession holders. This excludes Cradle Mountain.

Passes can either be purchased through passes.parks.tas.gov.au, in any national park visitor centre, some travel information centres, onboard Spirit of Tasmania vessels, and Service Tasmania centres.

See

The lighthouse on March 2013

• 1 Rocky Cape Lighthouse, Rocky Cape Rd (C227), Rocky Cape. A lighthouse that was erected in 1968, and one of the park's prime points of interest. The lighthouse also marks the starting point for the North Cave and Lighthouse trail. (updated Apr 2022)

Do

There are several walks in the national park:

• North Cave and Lighthouse trail. A 600-metre trail which takes about 10 to 20 minutes return and goes to North Cave, a cave which was once used as an Aboriginal shelter pre-colonisation. The cave is sacred – do not enter the cave. (updated Apr 2022)
• Rocky Cape Circuit. A 10-km route that takes 2.5 hours passing some of the park's most spectacular fauna. There is also a side track to Tinkers Lookout, and albeit the park being very coastal, has an elevation of 291 metres above sea level. (updated Apr 2022)
• Postmans Track. A trail that passes some of the easterly parts of the park. The trail is 1 km one way, and 2.1 km return. (updated Apr 2022)
• South Cave Track. A 200-metre trail taking you to one of the most incredible archeological Aboriginal sites in the park. The cave contains several shells, bones and what has been traditionally used. However, do not enter the cave, as is the wishes of the Aboriginal community – there will also be warning signs telling you not to go. (updated Apr 2022)
• Inland Track. A 15-km walk that pretty much passes all the important inland areas of the park. The trail takes about 3-4 hours to do (one-way). (updated Apr 2022)
• Coastal Route. A coastal route and said to be the coastal alternative of the Inland Track, also offering a more scenic view of the coastline. The trail takes about 3-4 hours to do (one-way). (updated Apr 2022)

Buy, eat, drink and sleep

There are no places to buy, eat, drink or sleep in the park.

Go next

Routes via Rocky Cape National Park

C214 jcn to Arthur River ← Stanley (via B21) ←

W A2 E

→ Wynyard → Burnie