Welcome to the wild west coast of Tasmania. Home to ancient rainforests, towering mountains and raging rivers, its natural expanse is broken up only by outpost towns (and the coastal town of Strahan), dotted around in a testament to the area’s mining and logging past.
Feel the thrum of life around you as you cruise up the Gordon River to walk among thousand-year-old Huon pines. Inland on the serene Lake Rosebery, kayak across still waters. Return only when your stomach begins growling in anticipation of freshly barbecued trout back at camp. Feel your heart race on a rafting expedition in the tumbling waters of the Franklin River, gaze up at the state’s tallest waterfall, and skim down towering dunes of bone-dry coastal sand.
The mighty Frenchmans Cap track is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s definitely rewarding. Winding its way through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, we promise an unforgettable sight at the top.
Best towns to visit on the West Coast of Tasmania
Start at the old mining centre of Queenstown. Demarcated by devastating, brightly-coloured scars on the land, this mining hub at the edge of the World Heritage Wilderness Area has a captivating frontier history. There are plenty of other mining towns to explore. Check out Zeehan’s abandoned Spray Tunnel, go boating on Lake Rosebery at Tullah and take a day trip to Montezuma Falls – Tasmania’s highest waterfall – from Rosebery.
The coastal town of Strahan is another remote destination. Surrounded by national parks, a must-do here is a cruise up the Gordon River and a stop at sinister Sarah Island – one of the most severe of Australia’s former penal colonies.
Top things to do in West Coast Tasmania
Nature & outdoors
Head into the great outdoors – from lookouts with memorable view (like Donaghy’s lookout) to challenging but worthwhile hiking trails. Delve deep into the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, up through the Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. There are mountain bike trails galore here, including the challenging Stirling Valley track near Rosebery or the beginner-friendly Montezuma Falls track. Another exhilarating ride down raging rapids awaits with King River Rafting at Queenstown.
While in Queenstown, book a blast from the past at the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Travelling through the rainforest accessible only by steam train, you can hear stories about its construction on your way to Strahan. At the Art Deco Paragon Theatre in town, you’ll discover retro tales of a different era: those of the talkies in the golden era of cinema.
Accommodation in West Coast Tasmania
Whatevcr your budget or holiday style, the West Coast of Tasmania has the perfect stay for you. Get off-grid with plenty of camping and caravan park options. Discover a range of self-contained Airbnb options. Check into a range of hotels and motels. Or level up with luxurious offerings like Franklin Manor in Strahan
Where to eat in West Coast Tasmania
Before you hop on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, fortify yourself with a coffee and a stack of lemon curd pancakes or a vegan superfood bowl at the Tracks Cafe, situated within the Queenstown Railway Station.
At Strahan, the View 42º Restaurant & Bar offers and extensive seafood buffet overlooking Macquarie Harbour. For relaxed pub fare, Hamer’s Bar and Grill has casual bistro meals like pizza, pasta and steaks. A few minutes from the centre of town, the Risby Cove Restaurant dishes up local produce on the site of an old Huon pine sawmill.
Getting to West Coast Tasmania
The west coast can be reached by road trip, and is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Hobart and just over three hours from Launceston. Interstate visitors can reach here by flying to Hobart or Launceston or taking the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Geelong to the coastal town of Devonport. Summertime is the most popular time of year to visit Tasmania, with warm, dry days. Want to avoid crowds? Spring and autumn are less busy times for a Tasmania road trip, and you may catch some snow when winter comes.
