When you first approach Boat Harbour by road from Burnie, the sign indicating a drop in the speed limit comes as no surprise, but when you reach the town you quickly notice something's not quite right. A town called Boat Harbour should have boats, or at least a harbour, but this place is inland with not a boat or jetty in sight!



Pass through the town and drive a little way on and you'll come to a road off to the right and a signpost indicating "Boat Harbour Beach", and then things start to make a bit more sense. Boat Harbour actually has two small population centres - the town, high above sea-level, and the beach community below, nestled between rocky headlands. The latter is the main attraction here.



Keep following the signs to Boat Harbour Beach, and as you wind your way down a hillside and a superb white beach with rocky headlands on either side comes into view. The sea is green and blue, the beach so clean, houses dot the hillside - the whole scene unfolding before your eyes is sleepy and peaceful. This may well be the most beautiful seaside village and beach in Tasmania. Furthermore, it 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!



Boat Harbour Beach is not only notable for its exquisite location but also its 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.

All the facilities one expects and needs surround the car park at the bottom of the hill. There are picnic and barbeque facilities on a grassed area, toilets and change rooms, a children's playground, a short walking path around the headland and a most delightful cafe by the water, serving coffee, snacks and lunch.

Sisters Beach

On your way into Boat Hartbour Beach you will notice a sign pointing to Sisters Beach. Although just up the road (and the coast) from Boat Harbour Beach, Sisters Beach has a totally different look and feel. A quiet seaside village which extends some way along the waterfront, Sisters Beach is actually 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 outpost of Stanley.



At one end of the village - where you'll end up if you continue to follow the road in - is a parking area with picnic facilities, electric barbecues, toilets and drinking water provided by the local council. A short path leads down to the beach, where Sisters Creek enters Bass Strait. At the other end of Sisters Beach is a boat ramp near where you can do a quiet bit of fishing or catch a squid off the jetty. It is also possible to scuba dive around Rocky Cape; however conditions can be treacherous and diving is recommended only for experienced divereing at the eastern end of Rocky Cape National Park, there is an entrance into the park itself towards the boat ramp.

Numerous attempts have been made over the years to identify the 'sisters' after whom Sisters Beach was named. The locality was in fact not named after people, but rather takes its name from The Sister's Island, two piles of quartz-shaped rocks that sit a short distance off the shore. An Irishman, William Alcock Tully, named the rocks on 26th April 1859, describing them as "each shaped like a beehive". Tully, who would be appointed Mining Commissioner on the Fingal goldfields a few weeks later, was searching for gold in the north-west coastal region, and named numerous geographical features in the area.

Rocky Cape National Park

The Park encompasses a rugged coastline with small sheltered beaches, as well as heath and woodland covered hills with a wealth of orchids, christmas bells and grass trees. The area was once a favourite Aboriginal hunting ground, and evidence of their inhabitance may be seen in various shelter caves. The caves are recognised as important archaeological sites, with midden deposits of bone, shells, stone and charcoal. Sisters Beach is wisely being kept quite small and the building of new homes is currently restricted, due to the surrounding national park. All in all, a pretty location.

Rocky Cape National 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. From Sisters Beach there is a one hour walking circuit to Wet Cave, Lee Archer Cave, returning via Banksia Grove, a stand of giant Banksia serrata. Sisters Beach is the only place in Tasmania where they occur.



Although small, Rocky Cape National Park offers visitors a varied experience on Tasmania's coast. Here you can learn about Aboriginal life on the north-west coast. Swimming, fishing, boating and walking are popular activities. 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.

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Boat Harbour Beach coastline towards Rocky Cape