You’ll soon find out why this enormous sea cave got its name when you walk through its sandstone tunnels sculpted by the pounding waves of the Tasman Sea.
Walk through the eerie tunnels of the Remarkable Cave, a captivating natural landmark within Eaglehawk Neck’s narrow isthmus. Millennia of wind and waves have eroded this cliff face and notched a rock bridge into the sandstone. Inside the cave, listen to the sounds of the waves that crash against the weathered sandstone rock face. Daylight filters in through the cave’s two seaward-side openings and illuminates the myriad colors of the sandstone walls.
Walk down the stairway that leads from the cliff top to the beach. Look into the Remarkable Cave from the viewing platform at the bottom of the stairs, which shows an interesting perspective of the deep cavern. Some say the cave’s opening is in the shape of Tasmania. If the tide is high, you can see the ocean waves swirling through the tunnels. Take photos of the deeply gouged rock bridge and see if you can capture the angle that shows the heart-shaped outline of Tasmania.
At low tide, the Remarkable Cave is safe to explore. The cave has two entrances on the seaward side, which were formed by the erosion of fractures caused by ancient earthquakes. Walk along the sands at the bottom of the cave and make your way into the tunnel. See the cave’s beautiful palette on the walls of the cave. Marvel at deep rust-colored red, orange, green and navy in bands across the stone, where millions of tides have risen and receded. Exiting out the other side of the cave, you can reach Crescent Bay and its beautifully secluded sands backed by immense dunes.
Remarkable Cave is part of the Tasman National Park. It is a 10-minute drive south from the Port Arthur Historic Site via Safety Cove and Basket Bay. The cave is free to visit however, you may need a permit for the national park if you intend to keep exploring the area. Watch the tide when visiting the cave, as surging swell and currents make the cave site extremely dangerous at high tide. Chat with locals to find out when the tides will be lowest during your visit.
