West Coast Tas

POV: you're suspended above a waterfall in the West Coast wilderness.

Montezuma Falls is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks at 3 hours return, 11.5km return. The walk follows a former tramway through dense forest of leatherwood, myrtle, sassafras and giant tree ferns. Keep your eyes peeled for many variety of fungi along the forest floor.

📸

Sea mist over the small coastal community of Trial Harbour. The ship has sailed on what was once a bustling port servicing the mines around Zeehan, and what's left behind is an off-grid seaside town where relaxation is absolutely mandatory.

Spring is an ideal time to visit the area when you can spend time relaxing with walks along the beach, a picnic or around a campfire and fishing.

📸

Welcome to Tullah, located on the shores of Lake Rosebery, at the base of Mt Farrell. Tullah was once only accessible by foot, horse or the Mt Farrell tramway - now the 'Wee Georgie Wood' tourist attraction. The tiny locomotive will soon launch back into operation from October to April. Run by enthusiasts, the steam train can carry 15 passengers and trundles along a 1.8km track flanked by eucalypts and tree ferns.

Keep a listen out for the distinctive whistle that pierces through the air to let you know the train is coming through.

For more information, head to our website

Show us a more calm, majestic image. We'll wait.

The Gorgon River snakes through Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage area flanked by towering Huon Pine. To experience the magic for yourself, book a cruise departing Strahan and glide across the tannin like waters for a truly memorable experience.

Image credit: Tourism Australia

It's no MCG, but you better believe the grandstand at Queenstown's famed gravel footy oval has seen its fair share of intense contests (and a few bloody knees).

Now that footy season has come and gone and the last of the divots have been filled the ground is yours to explore. BYO footy or take a wander around the boundary as you consider how it might feel to cop a mean hip and shoulder here.

The biggest decisions you'll need to make when visiting the West Coast? Whether you'll head for the coast, the water or the rainforest first. Sounds a bit better than the usual daily grind, doesn't it?

If you're ready to unplug for a bit, head to our website and start planning.

If you were to ask us, we'd say the journey just outside your comfort zone is worth it just for the West Coast sunsets.

📍 Strahan

If you're fond of a facade, then a wander around the streets of Queenstown is sure to fill your cup. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for pops of street art too.

📸

Did you know there are a range of accessible walks on the West Coast? This includes the walk to Nelson Falls, which is one of Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks.

For more information, head to our website or to the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service website - https://parks.tas.gov.au/

📸

Spring adventures, loading. Have you planned yours?

Pictured here: sweeping views from the top of Mount Farrell by which is also one of many dog-friendly walks on the West Coast.

What you see: a sleepy seaside fishing village.
What you don't see: a deep history of convicts and pioneers. A small town that is the gateway to the 1.5 million hectare Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage area. Waterfalls, walking tracks and 40 kilometres of pristine coastline which is only 1 stone's throw away.

So come to experience the remoteness and switch off from the day to day, but stay for the stories, the history and the wilderness that envelopes you.

Find out more, via our website.

📸

It's forecast to be wild out there for the next few days, so here's a few things we recommend you do:

Please be safe when travelling on the roads and take your time.

If you plan on taking a stroll, ensure you're prepared with adequate waterproof gear and footwear.

Spend some time indoors exploring historic exhibits and museums. For the full list, head to our website.

Stay off the trails, they're closed until Thursday.

And above all else, let's enjoy these last few wet and wild days of winter.

No matter which way you look at it, the West Coast is pretty spectacular.

📍Lake Mackintosh

lost.e4rth

Almost time to pack away the beanies folks, things are looking spring-like in Queenie.

📸

Imagine waking to the sounds of near and distant birdsong, water gently lapping the shore and cool morning air hitting your cheeks as you breathe in the fresh scents of the surrounding forest.

With spring around the corner, it might be time to start planning your next camping trip in the West. There are a range of free and paid spots available around the region. Head to our website for more information.

📸 Wildroadwanderers

Mt Farrell lies nestled along the rugged West Coast range with picturesque 360-degree views of Tullah, Lake Rosebery, Lake Herbert and to the wilderness beyond.

The trail offers breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains during winter and slanting rays of warm, orange-tinged sunrise and sunset during the warmer months. As the summit has some alpine exposure, walkers should always be prepared with cold-weather clothes, regardlesss of time of year.

📸 Jason Charles Hill

Sunset over Bonnet Island. The lighthouse pictured here stands at the narrow 120 metre entrance to the Macquarie Harbour, Strahan. First discovered in 1815, it was pivotal in directing timber-cutting vessels entering and exiting the harbour before the mining boom of the 1890's made this one of the busiest harbours in Tasmania.

Local tours are available to give you a closer look at the lighthouse and island. Head to our website for more information.

📸 Flow MTB

The West Coast Heritage Centre in Zeehan tells the stories of the history and development of the West Coast and its rich pioneering past through comprehensive displays of photographs, mining memorabilia and machinery.

Included in your entry is access to the historic Gaiety Theatre. Built in 1898, the Gaiety Theatre was considered one of the grandest buildings on the West Coast and one of the best theatres in Australia.

The museum’s attractions include the historic collection of the original Zeehan School of Mines and Metallurgy (unique in the world), photographic galleries dedicated to all the West Coast towns, classic locomotives, mining machinery displays, a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, marine display, a world-class mineral collection, freemasons display and a pioneer women’s gallery.

Open daily from 9.30am-4pm.

📸 Tourism Australia

For all its rugged and enduring landscapes, the West Coast is also home to lush forest and plenty of surprises beneath the surface. Just another thing you'll find when you venture outside your comfort zone.

Keep your eyes peeled when you’re out and about enjoying the West Coast wilderness, because you are more than likely to stumble across fungi just like this. Species include Pixie’s Parasol (mycena interrupta), fly agaric (amanita muscaria) and turkey tail (trametes versicolor), to name just a few.

Important to note: The fungi found on the West Coast are not to be eaten as some species are toxic.

📸 Stu Gibson

The mountains of Queenstown, where history and nature collide.

Pictured: A dusting of snow on Mount Owen framed by Horsetail Falls. For a closer look at the falls, make your way to the newly opened Horsetail Falls lookout. More information is available via our website.

Did you know the West Coast has some of the best inland fishing in Tasmania? Locations include Lake Burbury, Lake Mackintosh, Lake Rosebery, Lake Plimsoll and the Henty River. Varieties of fish include large numbers of brown and rainbow trout as well as brook trout, depending on where you choose to drop a line in.

One of Tasmania’s largest fishing competitions, the Lake Burbury Fishing Competition is held each November and has been running for thirty years. The three-day event that attracts people to the West Coast to fish for the largest brown or rainbow trout.

For more information about fishing on the West Coast, head to our website.

📸 Samuel Shelley

When the grass is greener on the outside of the footy oval than on the ground itself, you know the local team are built tough. Did you know Queenstown's iconic gravel oval has been testing the knees of players since the 1800s? The ground is maintained with 10-tonne rollers rather than mowers, and winter rain keeps the surface in ideal playing conditions - nice and compact with no dust.

How would you fare playing a full match here?

📸 Ness Vanderburgh