Tasman IslandTasman Island at a Glance
About Tasman Island
Tasman Island is a small island off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia, notable for its lighthouse and steep sea-cliff coastline. The island sits within Tasman National Park and is an important site for marine wildlife.
From boats or authorised viewpoints on the Tasman Peninsula, visitors can view the island’s tall cliffs and the historic lighthouse structure. The island supports seabird colonies and is a visually prominent feature of the coastal landscape.
A lighthouse was built on the island in the early 20th century to guide shipping around the peninsula’s hazardous coasts; operations later moved to automated systems. The island has been managed as part of the national park to protect its natural values.
Tasman Island lies off the Tasman Peninsula near Port Arthur on Tasmania’s southeast coast and is commonly seen from sightseeing boat routes along the peninsula’s cliffs.
- Access restrictions: The island lies within Tasman National Park and is remote; public access is restricted and usually limited to boat approaches or authorised visits.
- Viewing: The island’s coastal cliffs rise steeply and are among the features that attract sightseeing boat tours from the Tasman Peninsula.
What to See#
- Tasman Island Lighthouse: A masonry lighthouse erected on the island that served as a manned navigational light through much of the 20th century.
- Sea cliffs and wildlife habitat: Sheer coastal cliffs and offshore rock shelves that form nesting and haul-out habitat for seabirds and marine mammals and make landing difficult.
Nearby Attractions to Tasman Island
Best Time to Visit Tasman Island
Visit in the Tasmanian summer for safer sea conditions and landing opportunities; winter is for serious weather watchers and photographers.
Weather & Climate near Tasman Island
Temperate climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (891 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 58 mm | - | - | 6.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 18° | 15° | 65 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 11° - 17° | 14° | 62 mm | - | - | 6.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 9° - 15° | 12° | 71 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 13° | 10° | 91 mm | - | - | 6.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 6° - 11° | 6° | 72 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 6° - 11° | 5° | 87 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 6° - 11° | 5° | 89 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 6° - 12° | 6° | 61 mm | - | - | 6.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 7° - 13° | 10° | 76 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 14° | 11° | 77 mm | - | - | 6.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 10° - 16° | 13° | 82 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Tasman Island
Access is by private boat or organized sea tours from the Tasman Peninsula; landing is weather dependent and often restricted to protected days.
Tips for Visiting Tasman Island
- Weather in Bass Strait can be harsh - check boat operators' advisories and dress for strong wind.
- Wildlife lovers should bring binoculars; southern right whales and seabirds frequent the area seasonally.