Tasmania For Everyone: Boat Harbour

Boat Harbour Beach

This may well be the most beautiful village and beach on the whole north coast of Tasmania. It tumbles down the side of a gentle hill to a superb white beach with rocky headlands on either side. The sea is green and blue, the beach so clean, the village is sleepy and peaceful. Furthermore, the village exists in a microclimate which is removed from the surrounding weather patterns. Frosts are unknown and plants from the tropics can be seen in local gardens. It sounds like paradise!

Where Is it?

Boat Harbour is a 10-minute drive from Wynyard, and 30 km west of Burnie.

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Things To See And Do

Boat Harbour Beach is not only notable for its exquisite location but also it fine white sands which have been weathered from the quartzite rocks that are common along this section of the coastline. The beach here is often named among Australia’s Top Ten beaches. The clarity of the water is exceptional, attracting swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers; good fishing is to be had from the rocky points. At low tide, you may see abalone on the rocks. Precious stones have been found in the rocks.

A foot track, The Stone Walk, leads from the beach up to the road at the top of the hill. The Postman’s Track here was originally used to deliver telegrams to neighbouring Sisters Beach; it also offers safe swimming and more crystal-clear waters.

The area has two small population centres – the town, high above sea-level, and the beach community below, nestled between rocky headlands. Boat Harbour (the township) is often confused with with Boat Harbour Beach (the holiday resort). To get to the beach it is necessary to drive west from the town and follow the signs which say Boat Harbour Beach.

Sisters Beach

A seaside village, Sisters Beach is located within the Rocky Cape National Park and is situated on the old horse trail known as the Postman’s Track that once formed the only connection between Emu Bay (now Burnie) and the Van Diemen’s Land Company's outpost of Stanley. A little further along the coast from Boat Harbour, the locality has a beach of white sand, approximately three kilometres in length. A unique aspect of Sisters Beach is the prevalence of giant Banksia serrata. It is the only place in Tasmania where they occur.

Surrounding Area

Rocky Cape National Park

Rocky Cape National Park: Orange rocks, a lighthouse, wild orchids and caves once used by Aborigines can be found at Rocky Cape National Park. There are pleasant day and half-day walks over the hills from either Sisters Beach or from the lighthouse at the western end of the Park. Rocky Cape’s unpolluted waters regularly attract dolphins and seals. At low tide on a calm day, the rocky foreshore reveals numerous rock pools inhabited by a variety of colourful fish and plants.
Within the park there is a picnic area with tables and a gas barbecue at Mary Ann Cove. Toilet facilities are available at Burgess Cove and Mary Ann Cove in Rocky Cape National Park. Drinking water is not available in the park.
Swimming, fishing, boating and bushwalking are popular activities. The park offers a fascinating variety of walks, ranging from less than 20 minutes to a full day. These take in Aboriginal rock shelters and caves, scenic hills full of wildflowers and birds, and tranquil beaches, bays and rocky headlands

Hellyer Gorge

Hellyer Gorge (44 km south) is a pretty steep sided gorge through which flows the Hellyer River. The area is quite picturesque and has some excellent bush-walking tracks. The Murchison Highway passes through the area with many sharp and steep bends. Being subject to ‘black ice’, this portion of road has now been bypassed by the newer Ridgely Highway. Nevertheless, the area is quite picturesque and some bush-walking tracks have been blazed for tourists.

Dip Falls

Dip Falls (70 km south west): 152 steep steps descend to the bottom of the cubic-basalt formed falls. These falls are very picturesque, particularly during the winter months. A track takes you down to an old boiler which was used back in the 1920s when this area was a working forest. An interpretive sign gives you a better overview of the history of forest in this area. The track to the accessible viewing platform is beyond the falls.
There are wood fuelled BBQ facilities here and toilets for those who want to stop off for lunch.