Discover Rocky Cape

Rocky Cape appeals to travellers who want to include coastal scenery, distinctive rocks and cultural history in their holiday. The surrounding area offers natural and cultural experiences, each revealing a different perspective on the region. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider whether you want to focus mainly on the landscape, activities on the water or cultural discoveries.

Coastal scenery and quartzite cliffs

Nearby Rocky Cape National Park features sea caves, rock pools and sheltered beaches. Its twisted and deformed rocks formed over millions of years. The geology is especially clear in the rock formations near Rocky Cape Lighthouse: they are made of Precambrian quartzite, one of Tasmania’s oldest rocks. Uplift and folding created the distinctive patterns in the rock.

The route to the lighthouse is also described: from the main entrance to Rocky Cape National Park, Rocky Cape Road (C227) leads to Rocky Cape Lighthouse.

Plant life in the surrounding area

Rocky Cape National Park is home to a stand of saw banksia, Banksia serrata, in the hills overlooking Sisters Beach. The species is found only in this small part of Tasmania, but is common on mainland Australia. Its gnarled trunks and branches, toothed leaves and large, bottlebrush-like flowers give the plant a distinctive appearance. Those interested in natural diversity will find a striking contrast here between its limited regional distribution and its abundance on the mainland.

Walking and activities on the water

Rocky Cape National Park has numerous walks ranging from 20 minutes to four hours. This range helps with planning: you can use the time available for a shorter stroll or a longer hike. At Mary Ann Cove, you can fish from the beach, swim and go boating. Walks and activities on the water offer different options for your holiday days.

Cultural history and a living connection

The cave middens at pinmatik/Rocky Cape illustrate the important role of local seafood in the diet of Aboriginal people. The accumulated shells and bones make up one of the largest and most complete records of the way of life of coastal Aboriginal people in Australia. Rocky Cape National Park is also home to significant Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural sites: caves with living areas, artefacts and rock shelters dating back thousands of years offer insights into the way of life of coastal Aboriginal people.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal community remains culturally and spiritually connected to this place and actively involved in the management of the park. This enduring connection is an important part of the area’s history. Alongside its geological and natural diversity, the cultural sites offer another reason to explore the Rocky Cape area.

Another timeframe within the wider destination

Within the wider destination of Circular Head Council, the Nut Summit Circuit offers a concrete comparison with the walks of varying lengths in Rocky Cape National Park. The circuit across the plateau is 2.7 kilometres long and takes about an hour. Taken together, these details help you weigh up a single walk with a manageable time commitment against the wider range of walking times in the park. The Nut State Reserve is also a breeding ground for short-tailed shearwaters, peregrine falcons, Australian kestrels and little penguins.

Discover more destinations: Rosny Park, Prospect Vale, Waratah, Gladstone, Meadowbank, Mount Stuart, Moonah, Sandford

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