The West Coast area of Tasmania is made up of rugged coast, serene natural harbours, densely forested mountain ranges, fast flowing rivers, steep gorges, rainforest wilderness and ghost towns. Inland are a number of historic mining towns, including Queenstown, with it eerie, infamous 'lunar landscape', the result of a lethal combination of bushfires, rainfall, along with tree-felling and sulphur from mining activity around a century ago.
Queenstown
The region has some of the most pristine and beautiful wilderness in the world, encapsulated in the World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. It is often said that in this part of Tasmania there are just four days a year when it doesn’t actually rain. Bushwalkers are rewarded by spectacular nature sights, and even the less energetic can enjoy the untouched rainforests along the Gordon River.
Lake Geeves
The coastline is dauntingly isolated, with only one small town, Strahan, directly on the seaboard. The region to the south of Strahan, both inland and by the coast, is pure, untouched wilderness. There are no roads into the area and there are no permanent settlements - access is either by sea, seaplane or on foot. Thouse who dare venture here discover some of the most stunning scenic vistas in the world.
Murchison Highway
How To Get There
Mt Rugby, Bathurst Harbour
By car, from Devonport, follow Bass Highway west. At Somerset, take
Murchison Highway. This highway approaches the region from the north.
From Hobart, take Brooker Highway almost to Bridgewater. At Granton,
take Lyell Highway or approach the region from the south via New
Norfolk, Ouse and Derwent Bridge.
By coach, Tassielink Coaches services all major centres throughout
Tasmania. A bus service operates to and from Strahan from most major
Tasmanian centres, flights can also be charted as an all weather
airstrip is located only 2 km from the town centre.
Best Time To Go
Sarah Island, Macquarie Harbour
One of the best times to visit the region is from April to June when
the days are fine and still. This is possibly the best time of the year
to see the magnificent mirror image reflections of the Gordon River,
also at this time many activities and accommodation places offer
special standby rates.
Most of the activities in places like Strahan operate for the whole
year although, there are more in summer. Peak season is from November
to late April and during this time it is essential to book everything
ahead as for the majority of this time all accommodation, cruises etc
are fully booked for weeks in advance.
Summer time in Strahan sees mild to warm days with an average of 22
degrees, in winter the days are cold with snow often restricting travel
throughout Tasmania during July and August.
Highlights
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Towns and Villages
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Natural Attractions
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- Wild West
- Circumnavigate Tasmania
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- South Coast Walk Track
- Overland Track
- West Coast Wilderness Walking Track
- Port Davey Track
- Lake St Clair
- Mt Rufus
- Shadow Lake Circuit
- Echo Point
- Franklin River Nature Trail
- Donaghys Hill
- Nelson Falls
- Kelly Basin
- Hogarth Falls
- Montezuma Falls
- Huon Pine Walk
- Mount Farrell Summit Walk
- Mount Cleveland Summit Walk
- Philosophers Falls
- Frankland River Walking Track, Balfour
- Magnet Mining Trail
- Lake Cumberland Walking Track
- Frenchmans Cap
- Federation Peak
- West Arthurs
- Lake Rhona
Walks
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Drives
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