Day 1 – Departing from Hobart
The Three Capes Walk in Tasmania is a moderately difficult multi-day hike inside a National Park, along some of the world’s highest sea cliffs. We opted for a fully guided walk with the Tasmanian Walking company. The mustering point was not far from our accommodation in Hobart, so we were there nice and early to register, meet our guides, get fitted with our packs and listen to the briefing. I was feeling a little anxious as I had never done a multi-day walk before and although we had done some walks in our local area in try and prepare for this one, I was nervous. I had just turned 50, didn’t that make me a senior citizen?? Would I be the one holding everyone up?
After a short boat ride, we arrived at the starting point for our walk by early afternoon. We were off! The walking was pretty easy on that first day, gentle rising slopes, lovely scenery, and time to take it all in. Before we knew it, we had reached the lodge for our first night. Advantages of going on a guided walk:
- You don’t get lost!
- You don’t have to carry food and bedding in your pack.
- You’re provided with interesting information and facts about the things you are seeing.
- Our lovely guides prepare a delicious meal for us at the end of each day!
- There is wine!
The lodges are very comfortable, with a common area to relax in and a dining room. After a delicious meal and a little time getting to know the other guests, we opted for an early night to be nice and fresh for the next day’s walking.
Day 2- Arrive Cape Pillar Lodge
After we ate our breakfast, cooked again by our guides, we packed our pre-prepared lunches into our backpacks (this was the only food we needed to carry in our packs). Day 2 involved about 5 hours walking with a lunch stop along the way. We climbed to Arthur’s peak, about 300 metres above sea level, with fantastic ocean views. After lunch, we made our way along a ridge line to Cape Pillar and our Lodge for the next 2 nights. This lodge was pretty special, with our biggest walking day coming up the next day, I booked myself in for a foot massage in preparation for aching feet at the end of the day. The Three Capes guided walk is a more expensive option obviously, than a self-guided walk. But for me, this being my first multi-day walk, I wanted to ease into it. Have I been spoilt for all future walks? Probably!
Day 3 – the big one!
This is the longest you will walk in one day on the track, approximately 6 hours. Hike out to the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere and admire the views from Cape Pillar. A side trip out to the Blade is highly recommended, with wonderful views out to Tasman Island and it’s old lighthouse. After lunch at Chasm lookout, it’s back to the lodge for a glass of well-earned wine. Perhaps an icy dip in the plunge pool to ease tired muscles….or get that foot massage that I had pre-booked! I am a wise woman.
Final Day
We left the lovely Cape pillar lodge and made our way through some lush rainforest…. then the climbing began! up 780 stairs to climb to the peninsula’s highest peak – Mount Fortescue. We enjoyed a rest and lunch here before making the decision whether to walk the optional extra 2 hours to Cape Hauy, or not. My partner decided to do the side trip, I did not. It was an additional 2500 stairs I might add! No thank you! Off he went, and I pushed on, with others who made the same decision as me, for the final decent into Fortescue Bay. As you make your way down, the crystal-clear, blue water of Fortescue Bay comes into view, teasing you! It doesn’t look that far, I kept thinking, I am almost done! Yet, that last stretch seemed to go on forever! Finally, I reached the end! The water in Fortescue Bay looks so inviting, I decided to have a celebratory swim. I don’t think I have ever felt water that cold before…. absolutely freezing! Needless to say, I just dipped my toes and waited for the Cape Hauy group to arrive.
When everyone was present and accounted for, the guides spread out a celebratory afternoon tea and we all raised our glasses to a fantastic 4 days.
I was pretty proud of myself for completing the walk and found a new appreciation for multi-day walks. Is there a better form of exercise than being out in nature and taking it all in? We loved it so much, we did another walk in New Zealand – The Routeburn Track, and we have The Overland Track in Tasmania, booked in for January 2025!
If multi-day hikes are not your thing, but you love exploring naturally beautiful places, I have written a post about my top 5 naturally beautiful places to explore in Tasmania, that may interest you.
