The West Coast Tasmania. The Western Wilds. Where the road trips get rugged. The weather wet. The wilderness totally wild.
From the railway in Queenstown, to the rushing rapids of the Gordon River. From the serenity of Strahan, to the crashing power of Nelson Falls and tall trees of the Tarkine. If it’s adventure you’re looking for, the West has it in spades.
Big nature. Impenetrable ancient forests. White water rapids snaking through rocky outcrops, rising to eucalypt-covered mountains.
It’s remote. Under-explored. Pristine. Rare.
And you’ve just got to see it to believe it.
Strahan, west coast Tasmania
Strahan (rhymes with prawn) is a pretty little village at the meeting point of Morse and Long Bays. A town of 700 odd people, Strahan receives 160,000 visitors a year. That’s a lot of people to house, feed and entertain in this once quiet fishing village. With implications for your travel planning…
Things to do in Strahan Tasmania
Gordon River Cruise, Strahan
Cruising the glass-like Gordon River in an electric powered boat is incredible. Like silently gliding over a looking glass of blue captured from the skies above.
It’s a highlight of any trip west.
Our absolute favourite parts of this cruise are 1) the immersive Sarah Island (penal colony) tour and 2) cruising out through Hells Gate past The Entrance Lighthouse before the journey up the Gordon River begins.
Lunch on board the boat isn’t half bad either.
Henty Dunes, Strahan
Henty Dunes, 13 minutes west of Strahan is popular with adventurers visiting the Western Wilds.
With sand hills as big as mountains, the climb to the top will have your calf muscles screaming at you to ‘ssstooooop’!
But don’t do it.
Keep climbing. Because the reward is in the views & photography from the top. And ‘wheeeee’ the tearing ride back down on the sand board you’ve had wedged under your arm, all the way up.
You can hire sand boards in Strahan at the Big4 Caravan Park Reception. Have fun!
Self contained Accommodation in Strahan Tasmania
Strahan is the overnight destination of choice on the west coast
Strahan is a pretty village surrounded by peaceful bays, fishing boats, beaches and bush. Almost all visitors to western Tasmania come through here. Accommodation can be tightly booked. And so too can it’s limited number of restaurants. Self contained accommodation is a great idea, and here are a few of the best options in town.
Luxury Accommodation in Strahan Tasmania
Queenstown, West Coast Tasmania
Things to do in Queenstown Tasmania
Queenstown feels like a wild west frontier town plonked down in a forest growing on the moon. Miners cottages dot the hillsides of this odd town stuck in a clash between progress and preservation. Queenstown is the gateway to the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park – your playground for adventure on Tasmania’s West Coast. Here’s a bunch of cool stuff to get up to while you’re there:
The West Coast Wilderness Railway is Queenstown’s number 1 tourist attraction. It’s a 35 kilometre steam train ride through history and the West Coast Tasmania’s rugged wilderness. The old train is decked out exactly as it once was, its journey retracing the footsteps of Tasmania’s mining pioneers through dense rainforests and around steep gorges, with magic views of the rushing Gordon River.
👀 Inside tip: If you have to choose between the West Coast Wilderness Railway and the Gordon River Cruise, we recommend the Gordon River Cruise. For both activities included and value of money.
West Coast Tasmania waterfalls are the real deal, with water constantly running through the landscape. Nelson Falls and Horsetail falls are no exception. Both are a within a short 30 minute drive from Queenstown with an easy boardwalk into the falls. Nelson Falls is the more spectacular of the two as you can get up close to the rushing water.
The infamous moonscapes of Queenstown are best taken in from the Iron Blow Lookout (overlooking an old mining pits) and the Spion Kopf Lookout (360 degree views overlooking the township). Its a short but steep walk to the top. Go at dusk in summer for the best photography.
Venture along the Franklin River Nature Walk an hour’s drive east towards Hobart on the Lyell highway and check out the river that became the centre piece of a landmark environmental law case that went all the way to the United Nations and Australia’s High Court.
👀 Inside tip: This ready-made 10 day Tasmania itinerary will take you along a fabulous, fun road trip from Queenstown to Hobart with everything to see in between.
Nelson Falls near Queenstown
West Coast Wilderness Railway
The edge of the world
Untouched coastline is a rare thing these days. But you’ll find it here on The Tarkine Drive. The northern coastline of western Tasmania is where the weather comes in. It’s the wildest, most remote part of the state. And arguably the most rewarding if you do make it up there.
The Tarkine Drive
Untouched Coastline. ancient forests. unmatched nature. Tarkanya.
Arguably the West Coast’s biggest and yet most under-explored attraction: The Tarkine.
Why?
It’s remote. And where the pristine wilderness and true adventure begins.
There are two loops on the Tarkine Drive. One small that circles around Trowutta Arch. The drive is 1.5 hours on very windy roads.
The other much larger that explores the rugged far north west Coast of Tasmania – through Nelson Bay, the Edge of the World and Arthur River. It’s just over a 2 hours drive on more open, straight roads.
The Tarkine Drive starts and finishes at Smithton or Stanley, which is where most people base themselves to drive the Tarkine Loop and where we suggest you find accommodation.
Highlights of The Tarkine Drive
World heritage forest
Australia’s largest swathe of cool temperate rainforest. The second largest in the world. The Tarkine is rare jewel in Tasmania’s crown. It’s a magical place thick with massive ferns and giant trees, traversed by winding rivulets and dotted with moss covered rocks.
Fabulous fungi
Tarkanya’s biodiversity is simply stunning up close. Snap photos of crazy cool and colourful fungi, spot a Tasmanian Devil or Wombat in the wild, and don’t forget to look up for the beautiful birdlife.
Nature hikes
The best way to experience The Tarkine is on foot. The opportunities to do so breathtaking. Make sure to stop and hike along The Tarkine Drive. Explore the trails, see the waterfalls, hunt for ancient pines and the giant trees that stand like Ents, guarding this rare wilderness.
When to go to Tasmania's West Coast
The weather on Tasmania’s west coast should be a primary determinant of when to take that western wilds trip you’ve always dreamed of.
More than any other place in Tassie, the weather in the west will determine the success of your trip. How much fun you have. How much exploring you can do.
Winter is not the time to visit the West Coast. We don’t recommend travelling their in June, July or August. There are far better places to visit at that time of year.
Summer and Autumn are our preferred seasons for travelling the West Coast, Tasmania.
Annual average rainfall
Queenstown
2.4m
Strahan
1.5m
The Tarkine
1.6m
Hobart
0.6m