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How to Hike Tasmania’s Three Capes Track For Free (Camping)

How to Hike Tasmania’s Three Capes Track For Free (Camping)

Olly Gaspar

By Olly Gaspar, full-time traveler for 6 years. I visit every place I write about & share real tips, photos, & advice from my trips.

We hiked and camped along the Three Capes Track in Tasmania independently and for free, here’s how you can too.

Second to the Overland Track, The Three Capes Track is one of Tasmania’s most popular multi-day hikes. Featuring gentle coves, scenic heathlands, lush forests and some of the most remarkable coastal vistas in the country– it’s really no wonder why.

However, Tasmanian Parks requires Three Capes Track hikers to pay at least $595 for this experience since they planned and developed it with the “luxury lodge hiking” model in mind.

Luckily, it’s still possible to hike this amazing trail for free via an independent and free hiking route that we initially developed in 2021 and have updated to keep it accurate and helpful. Includes detail track information, route planning, maps, a day-by-day itinerary and photography from my trip.

About Tasmania's Three Capes Track

  • Hiking Distance: 44.6 km
  • Duration: 2 or 3 days
  • Elevation: 1,853 metres total elevation gain
  • Difficulty: Moderate (entry-level multi-day hiking)

The Three Capes Track is a 2-4 day circuit loop track on the Tasman Peninsula of Tasmania. The track details above & throughout this guide are to the alternative free way to hike the Three Capes Track by freedom camping at the Bare Knoll Campsite. The conventional "paid" experience covers 4 days of walking while staying in luxury hut accommodation.

This free, alternative track can be completed much faster since you'll be on your own agenda and not limited by set hut itineraries. With that said, both options cover roughly the same distance and cover the same track except for the first few kilometres.

Three capes mount fortescue walk

How Much Does it Cost to Hike the Three Capes Track?

The regular hut experience on the Three Capes Track currently costs $595 per adult and $476 for concessions and children. This includes

  • A boat transfer from Port Arthur Historic Site to the start of the track
  • 3 nights of accommodation
  • Use of the facilities at the huts
  • A bus transfer back to Port Arthur at the end (from Fortescue Bay).

Walkers can book this online but only 48 registered "hut hikers" can depart on the Three Capes Track per day, ensuring the huts aren't overfilled. Bookings fill up fast and are nearly always fully booked during holiday periods.

Remember that even the "premium" experience on the Three Capes Track is a self-guided walk. Even if you book the experience through Tasmanian Parks, you will need to bring your own food and gear.

I am in no way protesting the hut fees and understand that there is a legitimate market for a luxury paid adventure. I fully support Tasmanian Parks and they do an incredible job of keeping Tassie wild. Instead, my motivation for sharing this guide to hiking the Three Capes Track for free is to help independent trekkers who can't afford to spend $595 on a walk or who like me, prefer the thrill of independent, self-sustained and self-guided hiking.

Cape pillar on the three capes track in tasmania

How Did We Hike the Three Capes Track for Free?

Below is my hiking route summary that can be completed over two or three days. I walked this track in two days and found this to be best suited to me. In my opinion, walking the Three Capes over four days is just way too long if you're following this free route.

Start & Finish: Fortescue Bay

Day 1: Fortescue Bay > drop bags at Bare Knoll campsite > hike to Cape Pillar > return and camp at Bare Knoll Campsite

Day 2: Bare Knoll Campsite > Cape Hauy > return to Fortescue Bay.

This hiking itinerary splits the walk up well with most of the distance covered on day one without carrying a heavy pack since you'd leave it at Bare Knoll campsite.

A 3-day alternative would be to start later on day one, camp at Bare Knoll, then walk to Cape Pillar before returning to camp again at Bare Knoll campsite or the nearby Wughalee Falls campsite on day two. Day three follows the same route as the same as the 2-day itinerary.

Since the campsites along the Three Capes Track are free, you won't need to pay anything to walk the Three Capes Track on this itinerary, besides the National Parks permit.

Keep in mind that you will need a Tasmanian Parks Pass to do this walk as it is within the Tasman National Park. I don't consider this a fee specific to the hike since if you're visiting Tasmania, then you ought to buy a Holiday or Annual Pass anyway.

Three capes track map

Camping For Free on the Three Capes Track

For this free and self-guided Three Capes Track route, I recommend camping at Bare Knoll campsite. This is strategically placed between Munro and Retakunna Hut just off the main Three Capes Track.

Bare Knoll Campsite has eight large, elevated wooden platforms with chain clips to attach your tent to. Each platform is large enough to accommodate two or three single or 2P tents. Camping at Bare Knoll campsite is free with a Tasmanian Parks Pass. There is also a toilet and rainwater tank here to refill your bottles and to cook with.

The other freedom camping option on the hike is the nearby Wughalee Falls campsite. However, this spot requires a steep decline and subsequent climb back up to the track so it is hardly used. The waterfall is also reportedly very underwhelming.

Nevertheless, the Wughalee Falls campsite would be useful if Bare Knoll were to fill up or if you decided to hike this Three Capes track itinerary in three days to change it up a little.

GPS Coordinates: 43°11'24.1"S 147°57'11.4"E

Bare knoll campsite on the three capes walk
Tent chain

Getting to Fortescue Bay

To get to Fortescue Bay, you will need to make your way down an unsealed logging road known as Fortescue Road (which turns into Canoe Bay Track). This road is in fairly good condition and is managed by most vehicle types (including caravans and campervans).

There are two campsites at Fortescue Bay where you can stay before and after the Three Capes walk (Mill Creek and Banksia Campground). These cost $13 per person per night. You can also leave your car for free on the side of the road opposite the visitor centre or in the day-use area while hiking.

Unfortunately, there are no public transport options to Fortescue Bay. Hitchhiking from the start of Fortescue Road would also be a legitimate option as it is one way in, and one way out.

Sunset on a winding road in tasmania

Car Rentals in Tasmania

Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years. Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using DiscoverCars in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.

(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).

Route Highlights & Information

  • Experience exhilarating cliff views from Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy
  • Trek through ever-changing landscapes including scenic heathlands and lush temperate rainforest
  • Chance a sighting of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and even orcas
  • Enjoy breezy walking conditions throughout on well-graded tracks and long wooden boardwalks
  • Start and finish with a swim in the tranquil turquoise waters on the white sand shores of Fortescue Bay

Tasmanian Parks constructed The Three Capes Track to accommodate for easy, entry-level multi-day hiking. Much of the track covers wooden boardwalks and the only real steep sections are the climbs to and from Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy.

Confusingly, the "Three Capes" name is slightly misleading as the track only really features two out of the three Tasman Peninsula capes. These include Cape Hauy and Cape Pillar, the clear highlights of the walk offering expansive ocean views from mind-blowingly beautiful cliff viewpoints.

The final neglected Tasman Cape is known as Cape Raoul and hikers will need to organise a different walk to reach it.

Hiking the three capes track in tasmania

Start & finish

Start and finish at Fortescue Bay, approximately 14.6 kilometres from Port Arthur. There are two paid campsites here with toilets and free hot showers.

Fortescue bay in tasmania

Hiking Direction

Some sections of this track can only be walked in certain directions to prevent the spread of Phytophthora root rot in the National Park. Therefore, you should walk this self-guided itinerary in an anti-clockwise direction by visiting Cape Pillar first.

Boot Cleaning Stations

There are a couple of boot cleaning stations along the way where you are obliged to spray and clean your boots to prevent the spread of root rot.

Boot cleaning station on the three capes track

Best Season to Hike the Three Capes Track Independently

The Three Capes Track is subject to wild and unpredictable Tasmanian weather. While seasons vary greatly in this part of the year, the track is open during all seasons. You will need to plan for sub-zero conditions if you are hiking in winter.

Required Permits

A Tasmanian Parks Pass is required to walk in the Tasman National Park. You should keep a copy on you while you walk (digital is fine) and your pass number displayed on a note in your vehicle.

No fires

The Tasman National Park is a fuel-stove-only park. You will need to pack a hiking stove and gas if you want to cook.

Food & water

You will need to pack your own food and a recommended 2L of water per person for this hike. There are a couple of freshwater creeks to fill your water as well as clean rainwater at the huts and at Bare Knoll campsite to refill your bottles. However, keep in mind that rainwater availability is subject to rain, especially at Bare Knoll.

Phone reception

There is very limited phone coverage on the Three Capes Track. We managed to get a weak 4G signal at the wharf at Fortescue Bay and patchy reception at Cape Hauy and Cape Pillar.


Related: The Maria Island Circuit Walk


My Experience Hiking The Three Capes Track For Free (2 Days)

I hope that you found all of the information above useful in planning your freedom hike along the Three Capes Track in Tasmania. Below I've also included a day-by-day account of my experience hiking this trail with photography that I hope will inspire your adventure.

My Strava: Visit

Day 1: Fortescue Bay - Bare Knoll Campsite - Cape Pillar - Bare Knoll Campsite

  • Hiking Distance: 24.83 kilometres
  • Moving Time: 7 hours

After staying at the Mill Creek campsite in our van the night before, we started at sunrise in preparation for a big day of walking.

Three capes track for free
Starting the three capes track

Fortescue Bay to Bare Knoll Campsite

The first section was a heavy-packed slog from Fortescue Bay to Bare Knoll campsite, approximately 8.5 kilometres of slightly inclined terrain. This first stretch follows the old Three Capes Track before the upgrades. We traverse dry eucalypt forest trails with sections opening up to tussock plains along comfortable boardwalk tracks.

Fortescue bay to bare knoll campsite on the old three capes track

After just under two hours of walking at a brisk pace, we arrived at Bare Knoll campsite. We were the first here on this occasion so we took the time to have a quick break, set up our tent for the night and dropped our bags.

Shelter near the bare knoll campsite on the three capes track tasmania
Makeshift shelter found near the Bare Knoll campground

Bare Knoll to Cape Pillar

The great part about hiking the Three Capes track on this free route is that the longest single stretch of 16 kilometres return from Bare Knoll to Cape Pillar can be completed without carrying a pack. However, we did know that we'd be out there for a while. Especially at the Cape taking photos. So, we packed our fleece, down and hard shell, head torches as well as plenty of water and some food.

The rest of our gear stayed locked up in our tent.

I use a combination of a lightweight Kryptolock cable and a Helmetlok carabiner for security. This lightweight solution is perfect for both hiking and travel with expensive camera and outdoor gear.

Following the signs towards Cape Pillar, we arrived at the Munro Hut just 30 minutes from Bare Knoll campsite. Truthfully, we were blown away by how well set up these huts were! We were also greeted by a very friendly and accommodating warden who offered us water and weather information.

Munro hut on the three capes track tasmania
Munro hut on the three capes track tasmania
Munro hut on the three capes track tasmania
Munro hut on the three capes track tasmania

Continuing on from the Munro Hut, the Three Capes Track becomes noticeably more accommodating to "luxury hikers". The track is very wide and there are unbelievably long stretches of pleasant wooden boardwalks. Soon after, we began walking along the cape track, undulating gently between 250 m and 350 m along the promontory with spectacular views of the sheer rock cliffs.

Cape pillar track
Cape pillar on the three capes track tasmania

Roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes from Munro Hut we arrived at the tip of Cape Pillar, the first of the two Capes accessible on the Three Capes Track in Tasmania. We spent a couple of hours here admiring the view and photographing various points along the cape over the Tasman Peninsula and the beautiful Tasman Island.

Cape pillar on the three capes track tasmania self guided free hiking route
Cape pillar on the three capes track tasmania
Cape pillar on the three capes track tasmania
Cape pillar on the three capes track tasmania

The Blade

A great optional lookout point is The Blade, a short 5-minute climb to a sheer rock column offering arguably the best views on the entire Three Capes Track. We sat up here for another good hour waiting for the sun to descend revealing spectacular dramatic conditions over the Tasman Peninsula and Tasman Island.

Hiking to the blade on the three capes track at cape pilla tasmania
Hiking to the blade on the three capes track at cape pilla tasmania
Hiking to the blade on the three capes track at cape pilla tasmania

Fortunately, we turned out to be the only ones out on Cape Pillar as most of the hut hikers turned back well before 3 PM. We packed it in just before golden hour and retraced our steps back past Munro Hut to our tent and warm sleeping bags which we were glad we had prepared earlier.

Sunset over cape hauy from the munro hut
Sunset from Munro Hut lookout on the Three Capes Track Tasmania

Related: Freycinet Peninsula Circuit


Day 2: Bare Knoll Campsite - Cape Hauy - Fortescue Bay

  • Hiking Distance: 16.79 kilometres
  • Moving Time: 5 hours

After a comfortable nights sleep at Bare Knoll campsite, we prepared our oats and hot coffee for another decent 16-kilometre day in front of us. We knew that this second day would be much shorter than the first so we didn't stress too much about leaving the campsite too early.

The first section doubles back towards Fortescue Bay for a few hundred metres before reaching a fork with trail markers pointing to Cape Huay. This following stretch consisted of a more easygoing boardwalk passing Retakunna Hut along the way.

Fork to retakunna hut
The fork to Cape Hauy
Retakunna hut on the three capes track tasmania
Retakunna Hut
Hiking the three capes walk

Mount Fortescue

Approximately 1.2 kilometres of level walking from Retakunna is the start of the climb up and over Mount Fortescue. This is a 480-metre, heavily forested mountain lying between Cape Pillar and Cape Huay. This section is one of the most beautiful and quickly-changing stretches on the Three Capes Track.

It begins with a gentle traverse through eucalypt forest and quickly turns to lush, fern-filled temperate rainforest.

Three capes mount fortescue walk
Three capes mount fortescue walk
Three capes mount fortescue walk
Three capes mount fortescue walk

The track up Mount Fortescue is as you'd expect, well-graded and not too intense by any means. However, I'd say that it was more challenging than the Cape Pillar promontory since our bags were much heavier from needing to carry our tents, sleeping and cooking gear on this free Three Capes Track route.

After admiring the many vantage points from Mount Fortescue, the track begins to descend again towards Cape Hauy, the second and final cape.

Three capes track tasmania

Cape Huay

As we approached Cape Hauy, we arrived at a fork with a cleared, benched area. This marks the starting point for the quick return walk to the tip of Cape Hauy. We noticed that most of the other hikers left their bags at this point but we decided to just keep them on for a bit of extra training.

The track to Cape Hauy descends steeply before climbing again towards the lookout point. This stretch is remarkably scenic and there are plenty of opportunities to stop, rest and take photos.

We spotted some seals basking on the rocky shores below the cape but didn't have much luck on the whale front. However, it's said that Cape Huay offers one of the best whale-spotting viewpoints in Tasmania, so keep a look out!

Cape hauy track tasmania
Cape hauy track tasmania
Cape hauy track tasmania
Cape hauy track tasmania
Cape hauy track tasmania
Seals on the cape hauy track tasmania

We reached Cape Hauy after approximately 45 minutes from the fork. Unfortunately, our timing meant that there were already loads of hikers on the track, turning it into a mini-highway.

I believe that the Cape Hauy can get much more congested than the Cape Pillar track as it is easily accessible from a short day walk option from Fortescue Bay.

We dodged the crowds by finding a secluded spot along the track before turning back to the fork to hike the last section of the Three Capes track back to Fortescue Bay.

Cape hauy tasmania

Returning to Fortescue Bay

The final walk back to Fortescue Bay was an easy, mostly downhill 3.8-kilometre walk. There were a few open clearings along the way that offered great views over the bay. We got back to the bay just after midday and enjoyed a free hot shower at the Banksia Campsite.

Returning from fortescue bay at the end of the three capes track for free

Optional: Hiking a Section of the Three Capes Track on a Day Trip

For those short on time or if you prefer to pack light, it's also possible to walk sections of the Three Capes Track for free on a day trip. I'd say that this is another option to hike the entire track since you can simply return to Fortescue Bay on both days.

Day Trip Option 1: Cape Hauy Return to Fortescue Bay

The Cape Hauy day trip option departs from Fortescue Bay and arrives at the fork to the Cape Hauy Track after just 3.8 kilometres. In fact, this is a great day hike option that is fairly popular. Note that you can not continue on to Mount Fortescue or Cape Pillar from this direction.

Day Trip Option 2: Cape Pillar Return to Fortescue Bay

For an extra-long day, it's also possible to hike to Cape Pillar and returning to Fortescue Bay in a single day. However, this is quite a long day hike requiring a distance of around 33 kilometres return, which certainly doable due to the easy nature of the track. You can do this section of the Three Capes Track for free and self guided with just a National Parks Pass.

Walking this section is allowed in both directions but make sure you use the boot cleaning stations.

Where to Stay Before & After the Track: Fortescue Bay

Below I've included a short summary of the best-rated options for hikers looking to stay near Port Arthur of Fortescue Bay after their Three Capes Track experience. Note that camping at Fortescue Bay is also possible at $13 per person per night.

  • Stewarts Bay Lodge - The Stewarts Bay Lodge is a beautiful private lodge located on 22 acres of private land just beside the Port Arthur Historic Site. Chalets with a spa bath, large sunny deck and water views are also available.
  • Private, self-contained villa: Port Arthur Resort - Conveniently located near Port Arthur, the Port Arthur Resort offers self-contained private villas with guest laundry for your smelly hiking clothes, BBQ facilities, a fully-equipped kitchen, dishwasher and minibar.
  • Budget option: NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park - If you'd like to get into a warm, private cabin accommodation on a budget, then make sure to check out the Port Arthur Holiday Park. The park is within 16 minutes drive of many attractions including Eaglehawk Neck and the Remarkable Cave.
Port arthur caravan park

Packing List Fo Three Capes Track Independent Hiking

Here are some things that you want to bring on a self-guided walk of the Three Capes Track in Tasmania.

If you have any questions about the famous Tasmanian Three Capes Track, leave a comment below!

Thanks for Reading

I’m Olly Gaspar, Australian adventure traveler and founder of We Seek Travel. Six years ago, I left home to travel full-time and started this website to share my journey. Today, it’s grown into one of the world’s largest free adventure travel resources, now supported by a team of passionate travelers writing travel guides to the places we visit.

We only make genuine, worthwhile recommendations based on our experience, expertise, & research. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, supporting this website and keeping us on the road. Read Olly's Publishing Ethics Statement.

Katherine Thompson

Saturday 4th of January 2025

Is there drinking water available at campsites?

Mark

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

With Fees rise up to the 1st July 2023, I expect more will be taking the free options

Adult $495 Concession $396 Child $396

Fees from the 1st July 2023:

​Adult $595 Concession $476 Child $476

Hayley

Wednesday 4th of January 2023

Just wanted to say thank you for sharing! This guide was perfect for us to complete the three capes! :)

Antoine

Friday 30th of December 2022

Hi Olly,

thanks for all those valuable information.

I could barely find any information on the self-guided (free) tour on the web. Is this still possible to do? If so, do we need to book/make a reservation for the camping spots?

Thank you!

Olly Gaspar

Friday 30th of December 2022

Hey Antoine,

It's still possible, you don't need to book, I keep this post updated every season

Sandy

Monday 26th of December 2022

Great article. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to doing the two day version. In your pack list you have Cooks Beach - that is in Freycinet.

Olly Gaspar

Monday 26th of December 2022

Hey Sandy - Awesome, good luck with the walk, and thanks for pointing that out, fixed it :)