South Cape Bay Walk
- August 20, 2026
One of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks, crossing duckboarded forest, marshland and heath from Cockle Creek to dramatic cliffs at…
A Short Heritage Walk at the End of Tasmania’s Road
At the far southern end of Tasmania’s road network, Cockle Creek offers a fascinating combination of beautiful coastal scenery and layers of Aboriginal, maritime, whaling and settlement history. Two of the easiest places to explore are the historic Cockle Creek Cemetery and the striking bronze southern right whale sculpture at Adams Point. Neither is a demanding bushwalk. Instead, they make an excellent short wander for visitors staying at Cockle Creek or anyone wanting to stretch their legs before tackling longer walks such as Fishers Point or South Cape Bay. Together, the cemetery and whale sculpture tell two very different parts of Cockle Creek’s history — the difficult lives of the people who once lived in this remote settlement and the whaling industry that played such a major role along Recherche Bay during the nineteenth century.
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The small Cockle Creek Cemetery is located near the Cockle Creek camping area and is one of the simplest historic sites to visit in Tasmania’s far south. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife describes the cemetery as providing an insight into the hardships endured by the community that once lived here. The official walk is only around 5 minutes return. The modest graves are a reminder that Cockle Creek was once home to people working in industries including whaling, timber and coal extraction, long before the area became known primarily as a wilderness destination. Take your time and treat the cemetery respectfully — this is a historic burial place rather than simply another tourist attraction.
At Adams Point, near the very end of the road, stands one of Cockle Creek’s best-known landmarks: a large bronze sculpture of a southern right whale. The sculpture commemorates the area’s long and often brutal association with commercial whaling. During the nineteenth century, Recherche Bay became an important whaling location, with several stations operating around Cockle Creek and whale oil produced for commercial markets. Today, the sculpture provides a powerful contrast — a celebration of a species that was once hunted heavily along this coastline and can now again be seen migrating through Tasmanian waters.
These are both very short and straightforward walks rather than conventional bushwalks. The cemetery is reached by a brief walk from near the campground, while the whale sculpture can be reached on foot or by driving farther along the road toward Adams Point. The terrain is generally gentle, with little elevation change. This makes the two sites suitable for visitors who may not have the time, fitness or inclination to undertake one of Cockle Creek’s longer walking tracks.
Both walks are easy. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife lists both the cemetery and whale sculpture as approximately 5-minute return walks. Allow considerably longer if you want to read the interpretation, take photographs and enjoy the Recherche Bay scenery.
The cemetery is a quiet reminder of the families and workers who once called this remote corner of Tasmania home. Its modest scale fits the landscape perfectly and provides a very different historical experience from Tasmania’s larger colonial cemeteries. It is particularly interesting when combined with the interpretation around Cockle Creek describing the industries that once operated here.
The life-sized whale sculpture at Adams Point has become an iconic symbol of Cockle Creek. Its location beside Recherche Bay makes it especially striking, with mountains, water and wild southern coastline surrounding the sculpture. It is also the starting area for the longer Fishers Point Walk.
Even without doing a longer walk, Cockle Creek offers beautiful views across Recherche Bay. Calm coves, sandy beaches and distant mountain peaks create a landscape that feels remarkably remote considering you can drive almost all the way there. On clear days, the surrounding Southern Ranges provide a spectacular backdrop.
Cockle Creek has a much deeper story than European settlement alone. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife identifies the area as the homeland of the Lyluequonny Aboriginal people, as well as the location of the French expedition led by Bruni D’Entrecasteaux in 1792–93 and later British settlement, whaling, timber and coal industries. Exploring the heritage sites helps put those different chapters of Cockle Creek’s history into context.
The bronze sculpture isn’t necessarily the only whale you might see. Southern right whales migrate through Tasmanian waters during the cooler months, and whales or dolphins can occasionally be seen around Recherche Bay. Hobart and Beyond suggests roughly June through late October as the period when visitors may have a chance of seeing southern right whales in the area. Binoculars are worth carrying if you’re visiting during whale season.
These are easy walks, but Cockle Creek remains a remote destination:
Yes. Both sites are very easy to reach and make good short activities for families visiting Cockle Creek. The whale sculpture is particularly appealing to children, while the cemetery provides an opportunity for older children to learn a little about the area’s history.
This requires a little care because Cockle Creek spans different reserve boundaries. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife currently states that dogs are permitted on lead within the Nature Recreation Area but are not permitted inside Southwest National Park. Check signage carefully and make sure you know which side of the reserve boundary you are visiting before bringing a dog.
Cockle Creek is at the end of the road in Tasmania’s far south. From Hobart, travel south through the Huon Valley toward Geeveston, Dover and Southport before continuing through Lune River to Cockle Creek. The cemetery is located near the Cockle Creek campground. For the whale sculpture, continue past the Ranger Quarters and Boltons Green campground toward Adams Point at the end of the road. You can either walk or drive to the whale sculpture. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife lists the sculpture itself as only around a five-minute return walk.
Facilities at Cockle Creek are basic but suitable for day visitors and campers.
Depending on the exact area and current works, facilities include:
There are no substantial shops or fuel services at Cockle Creek. Bring food, drinking water and everything else you expect to need for your visit.
If the short heritage walks leave you wanting more, the Fishers Point Walk begins from the whale sculpture car park. That walk follows the Recherche Bay coastline for approximately 4 km return and takes around two hours. At Fishers Point you’ll find the ruins of an 1843 pilot station and lighthouse, along with excellent views toward Adamsons Peak, the Southern Ranges, Bruny Island and the Southern Ocean. Check tide conditions before setting out because sections of beach can be restricted at high tide.
The cemetery and whale sculpture can be visited throughout the year. Summer generally brings longer daylight hours and milder weather, while winter has the added possibility of whale sightings in Recherche Bay. Clear days provide the best views across the bay toward the surrounding mountains. Because the walks are so short, they are also good options when the weather isn’t suitable for one of Cockle Creek’s longer bushwalks.
These aren’t long or challenging bushwalks, but they add an important historical dimension to a visit to Cockle Creek. The cemetery tells the quieter story of the people who lived and worked in this isolated settlement, while the enormous bronze whale recalls an industry that once dominated Recherche Bay. Together with the Aboriginal, French exploration and industrial history of the wider area, the sites help explain why Cockle Creek is much more than simply the place where Tasmania’s road ends.
If you’re already visiting Cockle Creek, these easy heritage stops are well worth adding before heading farther along the coast.
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