Port Arthur and Beyond, Tasmania
Coastal line at Tasman Arch - Port Arthur
Port Arthur - Tasmania
Port Arthur is a historic site east of Hobart, the best preserved convict in Australia and among the most significant convict era sites of the world…and, egh, well…I have not visited that place.
It’s just because I spent my whole full day exploring the nature rather than going through some human’s past.
I am sure, its an interesting and educating place - but you a won’t see any photos from there here.
Apologies for that.
However, I can show you how awesome the coastline is around this peninsula.
Devil’s Kitchen
The very first stop when entering the Peninsula is Eaglehawk Neck.
Tasman Arch
This huge rocky archway was created by wind and wave erosion, and the roof is likely to collapse eventually and create another gaping Devils Kitchen. For now (until this impending doom occurs), there are safe walking tracks that allow you to wander around the top and right over the archway itself .
Although this Arch is beautiful, I preferred the coastline behind.
Tasman Arch rock formation along the coastline
Tesselated Pavements
This incredibly rare, unique geological formation is a firm favourite with aspiring photographers like myself. Although it’s impressive to explore at any time of day, if you head down at sunrise or sunset you might be lucky enough to witness this natural checkerboard explode with colour.
The unique patterns in the rock face were caused many years ago when movements in the Earth’s crust caused it to crack. The subsequent salt and water erosion carved loaf-like formations near the water’s edge and concave pan-like ’tiles’ further back
Tesselated Pavements in bad weather
Remarkable Cave late afternoon
Remarkable Cave
Name says it all.
This geological phenomenon takes you to a viewing platform at the rear of the cave and depending on the tide the cave will either be empty providing magical views of the ocean on a sunny day or will be filled with water at high tide. At low tide it is possible to climb down and walk through to the beach, though caution is required.
Trek to Remarkable Cave - Port Arthur
Tesselated Pavement - Sunrise
Sunrise at Tesselated Pavements
Yeah, bad weather could not stop me hoping so I woke up at 4.30 am and drove back for the sunrise and voila’; help yourself and God helps you out as well. All I needed just that tiny little gap under the clouds.
Tesselated Pavement Sunrise
Tesselated Pavement Sunrise
How to get to Port Arthur
Port Arthur is located about 100 km south-east of Hobart on the Tasman Peninsula.
By car, Port Arthur is a day trip from Hobart although the Historic Site is quite large and it is good to plan at least 4–6 hours there. The roads between them is sealed and in reasonable condition, although much of the trip is on narrow country roads, not highways. The road is well signposted as "Port Arthur" from the airport onwards.