Cruising the Rugged South East Tasmanian Coastline

He reminded me of Steve Irwin.

Quick with a joke and a smile, a passion for nature, and enthusiastic about the rugged beauty of South East Tasmania’s coastal wilderness.

Rob Pennicott is a Tasmanian celebrity. He has been running Tasman Island cruises along the coastline of Port Arthur since 1999.

It started as a small family business, and now because of their world-class service and sustainable coastal wilderness experiences, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys have a staff of over 70, have won numerous awards, and now run several island cruises in the area.

25% of the business profits are donated to conservation projects and in 2011 Rob circumnavigated Australia in a 5.4 metre dinghy raising over $290,000 for conservation and to assist Rotary in eradicating polio.

Not a bad tour guide.

I was fascinated by Rob, as much as I was the stunning scenery and the seals that waved to us from the sea.

seals in the ocean

Rob’s yellow boats, the 4WD of the sea, allowed us to maneuver close to the cliff faces and go inside the sea caves. Rob ensures he’s always respecting the animals space and comfort levels.

“Okay, let’s get moving now, the seals have had enough.”

“No we won’t get any closer to the penguin, you can see he’s not that interested to talk to us today.”

Rob Pennicott tours Hobart Tasmania
We’ll race you back

We were promised lots of marine life sightings: Australian and New Zealand fur seals, bottle-nose dolphins, cormorants, diving gannets, and little penguins.

“For the past week, we’ve seen orcas every day. Just yesterday one breached right near us.”

I was excited. My eyes and camera were at the ready for the entire 3 hour trip.

We were cruising to Tasman Island, the turning point for the racing Sydney to Hobart yachts and home of the flying fox and haulage-way that carried supplies up to the lightkeeper’s houses.

It reminded me of my favourite children’s book, “The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch.”

It was isolated and eerie, a lonely place to sit and watch with only seals on the rocks below as friends.

a mountainside

Tasman Island lighthouse (1)

seals lying on rocks

The entire coastline is isolated and rugged and unspoilt.

We stopped to explore sea caves, wildlife, passing lobster fisherman, dolerite spires and sea stacks named the Candlestick and Totem Pole ( I mistakenly imagined it was something else–imagination please people),  and the highest sea cliffs in the Southern hemisphere at Cape Pillar.

Cape Pillar Tasmania
Cape Pillar- the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere

But, no whales. And no dolphins either which Rob was shocked by. The dolphins are always the main attraction and never fail to show.

That was until we crossed over the open ocean to arrive back into Port Arthur. The swell was large and I held on as I stood next to Rob chatting. He skillfully moved us safely across the water while sharing his story with me of how he turned his passion into a lifestyle.

“There they are there.” someone shouted.

Dolphins were jumping and playing beside the boat. We all let out a cheer at our good fortune and followed them as they surfed the waves.

And, of course, as every traveller understands, the SNAFU comes into place, when you have an amazing opportunity for great camera footage. In all your excitement you didn’t notice that you turned the camera off instead of on.

Such is life.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Tasman Island cruise with Rob Pennecott. I would definitely add it as a worthwhile experience when you visit Tasmania.

Rob Pennecott Tasman Island Cruise in photos

Leaving Eagleneck Hawk

Eaglehawk neck Port Arthur (1)
Getting ready to board at Eaglehawk Neck
a pier on water
Eaglehawk Neck
Rob pennicott tours Tasmania
Such a beautiful day
Rob Pennicott tours Hobart Tasmania
Let’s drive this thing

Fortescue Bay

a rock cliff in the ocean
Rugged coastline
a rock cliff in the ocean
Pounding waves
rock cliffs
Wild
seaweed
Some of the world’s best seaweed
Tasman Island cruises (2)
Exploring sea caves
Rob Pennicott tours Hobart Tasmania
Local lobster fisherman
Catching lobster Tasmania
Today’s catch
A woman smiling
Nat from Mummy Smiles enjoying the ride
A Beach Cottage
Sarah from A Beach Cottage
Tasman Island cruises
Another of Rob’s boats come to say hi
A beach cottage (2)
Give us a smile!
Rob Pennicott tours around Tasman Island
Enjoying the scenery
Tasman Island cruises (3)
Gorgeous colours

Tasman Island cruise seal friends

       A seal lying on a rock

a seal on a rock

seals lying on rocks

A seal on a rock

seals lying on a rock

A seal on a rock

A seal sleeping on a rock

Arriving back to Port Arthur

A body of water surrounded by trees
Returning home to Port Arthur
A body of water next to a sand dune
Beach near Port Arthur

Rob Pennecott Tours – The Facts

Disclaimer: I travelled to Tasmania as a guest of Tourism Australia on the T-Qual Tick Race. Read more posts on Tasmania here.

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