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TWO COASTAL STOPS NEAR WYNYARD
A sheltered cove at Boat Harbour, and a long beach at Sisters Beach leading to Rocky Cape National Park.
Boat Harbour Beach and Sisters Beach are two small coastal communities on Tasmania’s North West coast, west of Wynyard.
Boat Harbour Beach curves around a sheltered cove, with rock pools and cafés close to the sand. Sisters Beach has a longer shoreline, picnic facilities and walking access to the eastern end of Rocky Cape National Park.
Visit one for a few hours or make a day of both. There is no coastal road between the villages, so return inland to drive from one to the other.
SHELTERED COASTAL COVE
A short drive off the Bass Highway leads to a seaside village above white sand and clear water.
Walk the beach, check the rock pools, or stop for coffee or lunch with a view of Bass Strait. The playground and public toilets make it an easy family stop, and surf lifesaving patrols run seasonally.
A short walk from Boat Harbour Beach leads to Western Bay Beach, a quieter stretch of coast with rocky outcrops and views along the headlands. Wear sturdy footwear for the rocky sections.
BEACH AND NATIONAL PARK
Sisters Beach is a long stretch of sand, backed by the hills of Rocky Cape National Park.
Walk the shoreline, follow Sisters Creek or take a track into coastal heath and wooded hills.
Bring a picnic for the creek, or have lunch at Little Sisters General Store. There’s a playground, skatepark and barbecue facilities for families.
The eastern end of Rocky Cape National Park has tracks through coastal heath, wooded hills and rocky shoreline. Start with the Banksia Grove/Caves Circuit, try Postmans Track or allow longer for the Coastal Route towards pinmatik / Rocky Cape.
The park holds deep cultural significance for Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Follow signs, remain on marked tracks and respect restrictions at cultural sites.
SHORT CIRCUIT
Up to 1 hour return · Approximately 1.6km Starting near the Sisters Beach boat ramp,…Up to 1 hour return · Approximately 1.6km Starting near the Sisters Beach boat ramp, this circuit climbs through coastal heath to Banksia Grove before continuing towards Lee Archer Cave and Wet Cave. Use the viewing platform at Lee Archer Cave and do not enter the cultural sites. The final coastal section includes a short rock-hop before returning to the boat ramp.
COASTAL AND WOODLAND WALK
1 hour one way · 2.1km one way Allow 2–2.5 hours for the circuit Start…1 hour one way · 2.1km one way Allow 2–2.5 hours for the circuit Start at the signposted roadside track near Lake Llewellyn. Named after an early horseback postal route, Postmans Track climbs through the wooded Two Sisters hills before reaching the cliffs above Walkers Cove and the eastern end of Sisters Beach. Arrange a vehicle at each end for the one-way walk, or return along the beach and road to complete the circuit.
HALF-DAY WALK
3.5 - 4 hours one way From the Sisters Beach boat ramp area, follow the…3.5 - 4 hours one way From the Sisters Beach boat ramp area, follow the track up to Banksia Grove and descend towards Anniversary Bay. Continue along the rocky coast towards Cathedral Rocks and pinmatik / Rocky Cape. This is a demanding one-way route over rough terrain. Arrange a pickup or leave a vehicle at each end.
Accommodation around Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach is mostly holiday homes and smaller stays. Wynyard is the alternative base, 11.8 km away. Book ahead for summer and school holidays.
Boat Harbour Garden Cottages offers a range of self contained accommodation options ranging from one to two-bedroom cottages situated on five acres of established gardens. Located at the…
Sol at Sisters Beach is a thoughtfully designed, newly built beachside retreat just a minute’s walk from the shore. With three spacious bedrooms (king, queen and two singles),…
Adrift@Sisters is elevated on 16 acres and offers ocean views of the beautiful, sheltered Sisters Beach. The home is nestled on the edge of Rocky Cape National Park,…
Pause for coffee or lunch near the sand at Boat Harbour Beach, or visit Little Sisters General Store at Sisters Beach.
For a picnic, use the foreshore facilities and bring what you need for the day. Stock up in Wynyard if you’re staying longer or heading out on a national park walk.
The area
Plot your way along the coast from Boat Harbour to Rocky Cape - pin by pin. Filter the map by where to stay, what to see and where to eat.
Getting to Boat Harbour & Sisters Beach
Boat Harbour Beach is about 12 km west of Wynyard. Travel west along the Bass Highway and follow the signs.
For Sisters Beach, take the Boat Harbour turn-off, then follow the signs along Irbys Road. To drive between the two beaches, return inland to the connecting roads.
Treat the beaches as day stops unless you have booked accommodation. Approach roads narrow towards the coast, foreshore parking is limited and there are no designated caravan bays.
If you’re towing, leave your caravan at your accommodation and visit in a smaller vehicle where possible. Parking is busiest during summer, weekends and school holidays.
For a holiday park stay at Boat Harbour Beach, book ahead and confirm your van and vehicle will fit. Sisters Beach has no campground, and public foreshores are for day use.
A valid parks pass is needed for walks in Rocky Cape National Park, but not to visit either beach.
Check the forecast and park alerts before a national park walk, and choose a route to suit your time and experience.
Follow access signs and respect Aboriginal cultural sites.
Remove soil from your footwear after walking in the park to help prevent the spread of plant disease.
Take your rubbish with you and leave the beaches and picnic areas ready for the next visitor.
No. They are two separate coastal communities west of Wynyard. Boat Harbour Beach is a compact, sheltered cove, while Sisters Beach is longer, quieter and surrounded by Rocky Cape National Park.
There is no coastal road linking Boat Harbour Beach and Sisters Beach. Return inland and follow the signed local roads to travel between them.
Allow a few hours to visit one beach or most of a day to see both without rushing. Set aside additional time if you plan to walk in Rocky Cape National Park.
Swimming is popular when conditions are suitable. Boat Harbour Beach has seasonal surf lifesaving patrols, but patrol times vary. Check current conditions, swim between the flags when present and supervise children closely.
Yes. Boat Harbour Beach has a holiday park and holiday homes, while Sisters Beach has a limited selection of privately managed holiday accommodation. Public foreshore areas are for day use only.
Access is possible, but visiting with a caravan in tow is not recommended. Roads become narrow and winding, parking is limited and there are no designated caravan bays at the foreshores. Leave your caravan at your accommodation where possible.
You do not need a parks pass simply to visit Boat Harbour Beach or Sisters Beach. A valid Tasmanian parks pass is required when entering Rocky Cape National Park.
Make it a trip
