Where dolerite columns rise 300 metres from the Southern Ocean, sheer and unbroken
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 2 experiences from 14 reviewed.
Verified partners for Cape Raoul Cruise tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
1 hr 30 min
Explore Tasmania's rugged coastline on a 90-minute boat journey to towering sea cliffs and wildlife havens
Reserve
3 hr
Navigate dramatic coastlines, towering sea cliffs, and wildlife-rich waters on this unforgettable voyage
Reserve
8 hr
Discover Tasmania's convict heritage, cruise past dramatic sea cliffs, meet farm animals, and savor fresh oysters
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
Cape Raoul Cruise tours depart from multiple cities — pick the one closest to where you're staying.
Tours departing from Port Arthur include round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, bilingual guides, and the option of pickup from a common meeting point or directly from your hotel.
Tours departing from Hobart include round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, bilingual guides, and the option of pickup from a common meeting point or directly from your hotel.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Cape Raoul Cruise tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
View the site of the historic boys' prison while learning about the harsh conditions of the penal colony.
Observe this small island that served as the primary burial ground for the settlement.
Admire the pristine white sands of this tranquil bay nestled along the rugged peninsula.
Spot the massive, shifting sand dunes that tower over the pristine coastline.
Marvel at 170-million-year-old dolerite columns rising 250 metres from the sea.
Every Cape Raoul Cruise tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | From | Duration | Rating | Skip-the-line | Guide | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Entry Most popular
Cape Raoul Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur
|
Port Arthur | 1 hr 30 min | ★ 4.8 | — | ✓ | ✓ | €85 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise from Port Arthur
|
Port Arthur | 3 hr | ★ 4.9 | — | — | ✓ | €116 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Port Arthur Historic Site, Cape Raoul Cruise & Wildlife Farm Day Tour from Hobart
|
Hobart | 8 hr | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €207 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
The water-based route offers a superior vantage point for geological formations, while the trail provides a personal challenge; most visitors who do both call the hike more physically demanding. Opting for a cape raoul cruise allows you to observe the towering dolerite pillars from below, whereas the track brings you to the clifftop edges.
| Feature | Top pick Cape Raoul Cruise | Cape Raoul Walking Track |
|---|---|---|
Viewing Perspective |
Sea-level dolerite columns | Clifftop panoramic vistas |
Physical Effort |
Low (seated experience) | High (steep terrain) |
Time Required |
Approx. 3 hours | Approx. 5 hours return |
Accessibility |
Suitable for most ages | Requires high fitness level |
Safety Considerations |
Life jackets provided | Risk of steep drop-offs |
Navigation |
Guided boat captain | Self-guided trail markers |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose the cape raoul cruise tours for comfort and perspective, or secure cape raoul cruise tickets to see the coastline from the water, while reserving the walking track for those seeking an active day out in the wilderness with cape raoul cruise tour convenience elsewhere.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Cape Raoul Cruise tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Dress warmly for your cape raoul cruise as temperatures can be cool on the water. We recommend wearing layers, a windproof jacket, and comfortable footwear suitable for a boat deck.
Guests are encouraged to limit luggage to one bag or backpack per person. Please check in at the Visitor Centre before proceeding to the jetty for your cape raoul cruise.
Photography is highly encouraged on every cape raoul cruise tour to capture the dramatic dolerite cliffs and wildlife. Please ensure your camera is secure and avoid blocking pathways for other passengers.
The custom-built catamaran used for the cape raoul cruise tour is designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind, including space for two wheelchairs. Please mention any accessibility requirements during your cape raoul cruise booking.
Mobile phones are permitted. Keep ringer off inside exhibition spaces.
The cape raoul cruise is family-friendly and suitable for all ages, though infants must be seated on a parent's lap. The immersive nature of these cape raoul cruise tours ensures a captivating experience for children.
Food and refreshments are not included on the standard cape raoul cruise tickets, so please plan accordingly. You may purchase snacks or meals at the Port Arthur Historic Site facilities before or after your tour.
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals with appropriate documentation.
Last entry is typically 1 hour before closing. Check the specific ticket for timing.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. All cruise packages include Port Arthur Historic Site entry at the standard rate of 190 AUD per adult.
The Tasman Peninsula's southern coast holds some of the Southern Hemisphere's tallest sea cliffs — sheer dolerite walls that drop 300 metres into the ocean without interruption.
Cape Raoul sits at the tip of this geological drama, a headland where ancient volcanic rock has been carved by millennia of Southern Ocean swells into vertical columns so regular they appear man-made. The formation dates to the Jurassic period, when molten dolerite intruded into older sedimentary layers and cooled slowly enough to fracture into hexagonal pillars. Erosion has since stripped away the softer rock, leaving these harder columns exposed as monuments to deep time.
A cape raoul cruise departs from Port Arthur Historic Site, threading through the sheltered waters of Safety Cove before turning south into open ocean. The transition is abrupt. Within minutes the shoreline shifts from forested slopes to raw cliff faces, and the scale becomes legible only when seabirds — white-bellied sea eagles, shy albatross, Australasian gannets — pass in front of the rock and reveal their own smallness. The boat tracks the coastline at a respectful distance, close enough to read the geology but far enough to honour the power of the place. Fur seals cluster on wave-washed platforms. Bottlenose dolphins appear without warning, riding the bow wake. The water here is cold and transparent, the colour of polished jade.
Cape Raoul itself rises as a series of stepped buttresses, each layer a distinct stratum of volcanic rock tilted and fractured by tectonic forces. The cliffs are not smooth but textured with ledges, overhangs, and vertical fissures that collect rainwater and support pockets of coastal vegetation — banksia, tea-tree, salt-tolerant grasses. On calm days the reflection in the water doubles the height of the stone. On rough days the ocean throws spray halfway up the cliff face. Either way, the scale resists easy comprehension. Cape raoul cruise tours typically run for three hours, covering approximately 50 kilometres of coastline round-trip. They operate year-round, though winter departures offer the best light for photography and the highest chance of migrating humpback whales. The route passes Tasman Island Lighthouse, still operational after 140 years, and returns via the sea caves and natural arches of Remarkable Cave and the Candlestick. The boat is purpose-built for these waters — stable, quiet, and equipped with heated cabins.
"The cliffs are not smooth but textured with ledges, overhangs, and vertical fissures that collect rainwater and support pockets of coastal vegetation."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Cape Raoul Cruise tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You board at Port Arthur Historic Site, where the yellow-hulled vessel waits at the timber wharf. The skipper briefs on safety and wildlife protocols, then the boat moves out through the narrow channel between the historic Isle of the Dead and Point Puer. The engine settles into a low hum.
Within ten minutes you clear the sheltered bay and the first cliffs appear — low at first, then rising in increments as the boat turns south.
You stand on the forward deck as Cape Raoul comes into view, a wall of stone that fills the frame. The boat slows, holding position against the current. You scan the cliff face and pick out individual columns, each one six or seven metres wide and perfectly vertical. A fur seal barks from a ledge forty metres above the waterline. The skipper points out a sea cave large enough to drive a truck through, its interior glowing with reflected light. You raise your camera, frame the shot, and realise the scale will not translate. The cliffs are too large, too close, too vertical. You lower the camera and simply watch. The boat drifts closer, then pulls back as a swell rolls in from the south. Spray rises in slow motion, catches the light, and falls. You stay on deck until the cold drives you inside, then you press your face to the window and keep watching.
The Port Arthur Historic Site is open from 09:00–16:30 daily, with the cape raoul cruise operating mid-morning and early afternoon. Yes, your cape raoul cruise ticket includes entry to the historic site, costing 190 AUD per adult for the full package. You can book your cape raoul cruise tickets directly through the official Pennicott Journeys website or authorized agents. Yes, these cape raoul cruise tours are family-friendly and open to all ages, provided infants remain on laps. You are limited to one bag per person on the boat, which should be stored carefully during your cape raoul cruise journey. Keep your eyes peeled for Australian fur seals, albatrosses, sea eagles, dolphins, and migrating whales. Each cape raoul cruise is a 90-minute wilderness experience. Our boats are designed for all-weather comfort, and we typically operate unless conditions are unsafe. Ample parking is provided at the main Port Arthur Historic Site car park for those driving to their cape raoul cruise. Yes, the catamaran used for your cape raoul cruise features onboard toilet facilities.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for more information.
