As you descend down out of the hills above Eaglehawk Neck, stop at the viewing points beside the road and take in the dramatic views across Eaglehawk and east across Pirate’s Bays. It is here that you can see what an effective location was selected for the prison at Port Arthur.

Eaglehawk Neck itself is a tie bar made of sand carried by currents and waves from the floor bed  of Pirate’s Bay to the east and Norfolk Bay to the west. It joins the Tasman Peninsula where Port Arthur is located, to Forestier Peninsula, in a narrow strip of land which is less than 100 m wide.

A sombre reminder of the Peninsula’s history is the bronze dog sculpture, marking the spot where chained attack dogs were once stationed to prevent convicts escaping from Port Arthur and gaining access to the Forestier Peninsula and possible freedom.

Today, visitors take in some of the most dramatic coastline in Tasmania, with its natural formations, including tessellated pavement, forests of huge elkhorn kelp, Tasman Blowhole, Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen.

Check out our listing of Eaglehawk Neck accommodation and Tasman Peninsula accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local maps and other information.