West Coast

ABOUT THIS REGION On Tasmania's West Coast you'll find world famous wilderness rich in convict heritage, stunning national parks and historic mining towns. This is where you travel to see some of the most significant World Heritage Areas on earth and the iconic sight of Cradle Mountain reflected in Dove Lake. It’s a place of ancient Gondwana landscapes, dense forests, wild rivers that tumble through steep gorges and wide deep lakes. Gateway to Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area, its rugged mountains, ancient rain forests and heath make the west one of Australia's last true wilderness frontiers. Yet, despite its remoteness, its easy and safe to visit and travellers can still enjoy the best of Tasmania's quality accommodation and fine dining. Tasmania's west is often remembered for the conflict between forestry workers and environmentalists to save the flooding of Lake Pedder, and once you visit you'll get an idea of what the protest was all about. The largest coastal town is Strahan, situated on Macquarie Harbour and close to Sarah Island - one of the harshest penal colony settlements in Australia. The inland population centres of Queenstown and the smaller towns of Zeehan, Tullah and Rosebery are rich in mining history and are all within a short distance of magnificent lakes, rivers, rainforests, giant sand dunes and historic sites. There are so many ways to experience Tasmania's west, from wild forest adventures to luxury cruises on crystal clear waterways or simply by car. Visitors can experience its wonders by driving for around 60 km along the Lyell Highway between Derwent Bridge and Lake Burbury. Bordering the highway are a series of stunning short walks through rainforest to Donaghy's Lookout, the Franklin River Nature Trail and the Nelson Falls Nature Trail - all highly recommended. As you head into Queenstown, you enter another world and the road spirals for more than 90 bends down into what remains of the world's richest gold and copper mine. When you reach Strahan, on Macquarie Harbour, you can take an exhilarating cruise to the wide ancient Gordon River; travel by narrow gauge railway across the mountain range; fly in to land on the Gordon River to search out a thousand-year-old Huon pine; or just relax and indulge in great food and wine. You can explore the area by four-wheel-drive, jet boat, kayak or sail the rivers and waterways and walk the long expanse of Ocean Beach. You are on the edge; from here – more than 11,000 kilometres (6,800 miles) west - is South America. From Queenstown drive north along the Western Explorer, an unsealed highway, that takes you to the world’s largest remaining stretch of temperate rainforest - the Tarkine. When you reach the lower reaches of the Pieman River you board a simple vehicular barge across the River. The little town of Corinna is the perfect place to stay to explore this area. In Zeehan, once a wealthy silver town, stop for a while and explore the West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum where you can learn of the town's rollicking mining past. Further north are the tiny historic towns of Rosebery and Tullah that once housed hundreds of miners but are now quiet and peaceful. Look out for Montezuma Falls our tallest waterfall, near Rosebery. The jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain marks the boundary of this wild and ancient area. If you are approaching the Western Wilderness from there you will pass through Mole Creek with its nearby caves. INDUSTRY RESOURCES Regional Tourism Website : Tasmania's Western Wilderness Regional Tourism Website : Discover Tasmania Research and Statistics : Tourism Tasmania Corporate Website Local Councils : Local Government Association Tasmania CREDITS Information Source : Discover Tasmania Image Credit : Lake Dove nestled under Cradle Mountain : Tourism Tasmania : Rob Burnett Regional Map : Copyright 2014 GoPanda Communications GoPanda