Discover how to get to Waterfall Bay, the Tasman Arch, and Devil’s Kitchen on a short but rewarding hike near Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula.
Looking for a short hike on the Tasman Peninsula? Consider checking out the Waterfall Bay track. This scenic trail is a great easy out-and-back track passing several famous geological formations including the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen.
Below I outline everything you need to know about visiting Waterfall Bay. From how to get here and what to expect to help inspire your trip!
About Waterfall Bay Tasmania
Waterfall Bay is a scenic coastal bay on the Tasman Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania. The bay is famous for its weather-dependant waterfall that pours down the steep cliffs into the ocean.
While more of a wet patch for most of the year, the Waterfall Bay walk is still an excellent trail regardless of water flow. The track offers great views of the unique geological formations and arches, the remnants of ancient sea caves.
How to Get to the Waterfall Bay Track (Tasman Peninsula Track)
The Waterfall Bay walking track begins at the large walking car park for Tasman's Arch, approximately 25 minutes from Port Arthur or 1 hour 15 minutes from Hobart.
Location: Tasman's Arch Parking
To get here, you're going to need your own vehicle as there are no public transport options or tours leading to the Waterfall Bay walk.
However, if you find yourself without a car, you still have the option of seeing all of the highlights of the track on a 3-hour wilderness cruise. This is one of the highest-rated activities on the Tasman Peninsula and one you certainly don't want to miss!
Book: 3-hour Wilderness Cruise
My Experience on the Waterfall Bay Walk
- Hiking Distance: 3.4 km return
- Duration: 1 hour return
- Elevation: Mostly flat
- Difficulty: Easy
The Waterfall Bay makes up a section of the Tasman Trail which follows the coast from the Tasman Arch to Fortescue Bay. However, to reach the Waterfall Bay Lookout, hikers will only need to walk a short 1.7 km from the car park before turning back.
The track is wide, easy to follow, and mostly flat for the duration. There are plenty of spots on the track to admire incredible coastal views and the unique geological phenomena that makes the Tasman coast so famous.
Below is a summary of the Waterfall Bay hike with some of the highlights you can expect on the way.
Tasman Arch
After parking in the large, dedicated parking area, we immediately noticed the fenced-off viewpoint for the Tasman Arch.
This curved natural bridge is the result of a collapsed sea cave, brought to rubble by years of pounding seas. We visited this beautiful spot in the early morning, which meant we got a nice ray of sun coming through the arch.
Devils Kitchen
The track to Waterfall Bay begins by walking right (south) from the Tasman Arch. Just a few dozen metres from the Tasman Arch we spotted another geological highlight.
This time, it's the Devil's Kitchen, which is also the remnants of a collapsed sea cave.
From here, we continued along the signposted track leading to the Waterfall Bay Lookout.
Patersons Arch
After just 1 km of walking through a dry eucalypt forest, you will reach yet another lookout point for a collapsed sea cave. This one is called Patersons Arch and while not as famous as the others, is still a beautiful vantage point.
Also, if you look down, you'll notice that the rocky base is very similar to the nearby Tessellated Pavement.
Waterfall Bay Lookout
Continuing on from Patersons' lookout hikers will reach the main event for this short, scenic coastal hike. The Waterfall Bay lookout is a beautiful coastal bay. The gently rolling green hills suddenly give way to sheer rock cliffs that plunge into the deep blue ocean below.
If you look directly out to the opposing cliff face, you'll spot the Waterfall Bay waterfall. This is a unique waterfall since it plunges directly into the ocean. Unfortunately, the flow is very dependent on rain so if you visit during fine conditions like we did, you'll likely just see a wet patch on the cliffside.
There are also some information plaques on the lookout that detail the history, geology, and unique underwater biology of the region.
Tip: Bring binoculars for the hike and look along the rocks that line the bottom of these cliffs as seals like to call this area home.
Return to the Car Park
After soaking in the view, it's time to turn back and continue back to the car park.
Alternatively, if you're feeling adventurous, you can turn the Waterfall Bay walk into a full-day through-hike by following the Tasman Trail all the way to Fortescue Bay. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for this but it is on our list for our next visit to Tasmania.
I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope it has made it easier for you to visit the Waterfall Bay trail.
Also if you have any updated information or you'd like to share your experience, don't forget to leave a comment below.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!