Guide to Tasman's Arch & Devil’s Kitchen

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Perched on the wave-lashed rim of Tasman National Park, Tasman’s Arch and Devil’s Kitchen are two of the most impressive and photogenic Tasmania rock formations you can roll up to in a campervan. These formations originated as sea caves, created by erosion from continual wave action. One is now a soaring natural bridge left behind when a sea-cave roof collapsed; the other is a gaping chasm where the Southern Ocean still thunders in like a jet engine. Together they make up a Tassie attraction not to be missed; serving up cliff-top lookouts, short coastal walks and a taste of the wild edge of the Tasman Peninsula natural wonders. Best of all, they’re free, open all year and only a quick detour off the Arthur Highway, within a short distance, so nearly every traveller doing a nine-day Tasmania self-drive road trip swings by. 

Oysters Family at the beach Salad

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Why do people go to Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen?

Travellers come for the sights: 300-metre dolerite sea cliffs, salt spray hanging in the air and the impressive thundering waves that carved these shapes over millions of years. From the railings, you’ll stare straight down a 60-metre shaft into churning turquoise water, or frame the ocean through the graceful sweep of Tasman’s Arch. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. This site sits inside the Tasman National Park attractions cluster, so in one lazy morning you can easily tick off the Blowhole, Fossil Bay Lookout, the Tessellated Pavement, Tasmania, and Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, while keeping your flat white hot. It’s also a handy leg-stretcher between Hobart and the historic ruins of Port Arthur, making it one of the essential things to do near Port Arthur on any campervan loop. 

 

How long should I spend at Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen?

Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the basics: parking up, strolling along the sealed paths, savouring a coffee, and taking a hundred photos. Add another half-hour if you fancy the 0.9-km link track, which is a short walk connecting various overlooks and enhancing the experience of exploring the Tasman Peninsula's distinctive geological features (or a longer 2.4-km loop via Fossil Bay), which is one of the gentlest Tasmania coastal walks you’ll find—flat, fenced and doable in flip-flops. The walking paths provide easy access to notable attractions like Tasman's Arch and Devil's Kitchen. If you can manage a dawn start, why not treat yourself to a view of the cliffs as they glow apricot and the water glistens in an impressive silver? This has the added benefit that you will also dodge most coach tours, turning the place into your own private amphitheatre. 

 

Why is it called the Devil’s Kitchen, Tasmania?

Early sailors believed that the deep trench, surging surf and echoing roar looked and sounded like a huge cauldron on the boil—“a kitchen fit for the devil”—some would say. Ongoing erosion is leaving new formations over time, continuously reshaping the landscape. Over time the name stuck, helped by Tasmania’s love of colourful place-names (nearby Doo Town proves the point). Local legend also says the spray whips up “steam” on stormy days, reinforcing the hell-broth imagery. 

 

How to get to Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen

  • From Port Arthur – point your wheels north and cruise 8 km (10 min) up the Arthur Highway (A9). Look for the “Tasman Arch” sign, then swing right onto Blowhole Road. 

  • From Eaglehawk Neck – head south 3 km (5 min) on the A9 and take the same Blowhole Road turn-off. 

  • From Hobart – it’s a 100 km (1 h 30 min) drive via the Tasman Hwy (A3) and A9. Watch for the panoramic pull-over at Pirates Bay before you drop to sea level. Follow the signs to Tasman’s Arch Road and continue on Arch Road to reach the attractions. 

Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen
Directions

Best time to visit Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen

Late spring to early autumn (Nov–Apr) delivers the island’s mellowest weather, with daytime highs of 17 °C–22 °C, light winds and cloud layers that burn off by mid-morning. Best of all, recent rainfall can enhance the visual experience, with waterfalls potentially flowing into the sea. Perfect conditions for those relaxed Tasmania coastal walks. 

Winter ramps up the drama: southerly storms whip the waves into a frenzy, sending plumes of spray sky-high, so you'll need to pack a beanie, thermals and a sense of awe (and willpower). If you find yourself here in the summer or spring, be prepared for crowds! Regardless of season, aim for early morning or late arvo; the low sun paints the dolerite honey-gold and the tour-bus head-counts nosedive. Win-win! 

 

Weather in Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen

Expect classic maritime conditions: summers average 12 °C–22 °C with cooling sea breezes; winters range from 5 °C–13 °C and can swing from blue sky to sideways rain in an hour. But keep in mind that, as in most of Australia, UV is fierce even when it’s chilly, so don't forget to slap on SPF50. And of course, The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast is your friend—check it the night before and toss a compact wind-proof jacket in the day-pack. 

 

Best place to park your campervan in Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen

The dedicated gravel car park on Blowhole Road (signposted “Tasman Arch/Devil’s Kitchen”) has long, bus-friendly bays that fit a HiTop or six-berth comfortably. It’s free and just 20 metres from the Tasman’s Arch railing, so you can boil the kettle while admiring the view. There are bins, picnic tables and flush loos; potable water is at nearby Pirates Bay reserve if you need a top-up. From the lot, an easy 15-minute stroll along a sheltered track drops you at Devil’s Kitchen—no need to move the van. 

 

Road trips that pass through

Campsites near Tasman’s Arch & Devil's Kitchen

  • NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park— Just twenty minutes south of the lookouts, you’ll find NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park, set among tall blue gums on Stewarts Bay. Powered, unpowered and ensuite campervan sites come with 15-amp hook-ups, while the modern amenities block packs family bathrooms, a camp kitchen, free Wi-Fi and a handy kiosk for coffee and essentials.   

  • Fortescue Bay Campground —If you’d rather wake up inside the national park, aim for Fortescue Bay Campground, about 35 minutes south. The big unpowered bays swallow campervans with ease, and there are toilets, token-operated hot showers, drinking-water taps and sheltered picnic tables. It’s off-grid living—no mains electricity—but you’ll trade that for a white-sand beach and front-row access to the Cape Hauy section of the Three Capes Track. 

  • White Beach Tourist Park — For a sunset-over-the-water vibe, pull into White Beach Tourist Park, 20 minutes west on the quieter side of Wedge Bay. Level grassy sites (powered and unpowered) come with electricity, water and sullage, plus hot showers, a coin laundry, camp kitchen, playground and free Wi-Fi.   

 

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