If you have a passion for the beauty of landscape unadorned, and crave the mystery of the forest and the rush of wild rivers, the western wilderness is for you. With its jagged mountains, wild tannin-dark rivers, ancient forests and heath, this region is one of the wildest in the country.
You’ll feel at the edge of the world as you learn tales of the west coast’s pioneering spirit and convict past. In Strahan, take an exhilarating cruise on the Gordon River, travel by narrow gauge railway across the mountain range, take a helicopter flight to see thousand-year-old Huon pine, or just relax and soak up the rugged surrounds. Walk the expanse of Ocean Beach and breathe the air deeply, 11,000 kilometres (6,800 miles) away is South America.
You can’t come to this region without taking in the majesty of Cradle Mountain. It’s a place of ancient Gondwana landscapes and snow-capped beauty during cooler months. Climb its pinnacle or head up Marion’s Bay Lookout and follow this with a rewarding alpine spa. Not far away is Mole Creek where you can meet a Tassie devil and explore fascinating cave systems.
In Zeehan, stop and explore the West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum and learn about the town’s rollicking mining past. Also stop in at Queenstown, once the world’s richest mining town, where you can take an underground mine tour.
From Queenstown drive north along the Western Explorer, which will take you to the world’s largest remaining tract of temperate rainforest- the Tarkine. The little town of Corinna is the perfect place to stay to explore the area.
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