NORTH WEST TOURING MAP
Exploring the North West.
This tour is fairly easy. basically you leave Burnie or Wynyard and just follow the road west to Smithton,
stopping to explore Stanley and some of the small towns along the way.
Diversions can be made to Detention Falls, Dip Falls and the Big Tree, stopping at Water Wheel Creek along
the way, Rocky Cape National Park and a timber gallery south of the turn-off into Stanley.
You can drive yourself or take a tour from Smithton west to Woolnorth and Temma and a must to see is the
Allandale Gardens south of Smithton at Edith Creek and a round trip along the South Arthur Forest Drive which,
although loose surface, takes in several important forest reserves and sink holes.
An extended tour takes the road to Marrawah and on to Arthur River for a cruise on the river, stopping at Dismal Swamp
on the way for a sojourn in the rainforest and a slippery slide through the forest. Forestry Tasmania
has established this popular spot and it is becoming more popular every year. Rangers are in attendance and
can inform you about the forest and the region.
You will need to retrace your journey to Somerton to take the Murchison Highway south to the West Coast, a windy but
pretty trip through forest and the Hellyer Gorge, to Burnie to take the alternative route (A18) to the West Coast past
the Guide Falls and through Ridgley (a less winding option) or you can
continue on through Couta Rocks and Balfour from Arthur River along the loose surface road to Corinna and the punt
across the Pieman River and then into Zeehan.
While the road is loose surface I have done this trip several times and found it to be in fairly good condition.
The punt only operates in daylight hours so you should enquire ahead about services. If you arrive at Corinna
at night there is a camping area and some cabins are available. Alternatively, you can take the road east
from Corinna to Savage River (loose surface) then through Waratah to join the A10 to Tullah.
If driving at night there are hundreds of animals to watch out for, particularly small Forrester Kangaroos
and wombats.
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