Wilkins Tourist Maps produces a free map in this area. You can pick up a
West Coast map from accommodation
houses, attractions and businesses, and some information centres in towns in this area.
Click here for names and addresses of outlets where they are available.
Select an area from below to automatically open it on this page.
Lakes, Rivers, Mountains and Forests. Dramatic Tasmania
The West Coast of Tasmania was founded on mining and, while mines still operate,
it has become a popular tourism destination offering a diverse range of natural and
man made attractions.
The Lyell Hwy from Hobart passes through the Central Highlands and rainforest, through
the Franklin Gordon World Heritage Area, and meets Queenstown in a spectacular way
dropping steeply from the mountain tops to the town below.
The whole region is dotted with lakes and offers great fishing. Cruises to the
World Heritage park operate daily from Strahan and the abt railway follows the
King River between Strahan and Queenstown passing through heavily timbered
rainforest.
To the north, the mining towns of Zeehan and Rosebery have much to offer the
visitor and the tiny town of Tullah has a local railway the 'Wee Geordie'
which runs occasionally. Just south of Rosebery the Montezuma Falls are Tasmania's
tallest and the rainforest drives between Strahan and Zeehan and Rosebery and Tullah
are exhilarating.
At Zeehan the Pioneer Museum explains the history of the area with extensive displays
of photographs, documents, memorabilia and records and is located in the main street.
At Strahan you can take a sea-plane tour to see the Macquarie Heads or fly over the
Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The many waterfalls, walking trails and
lookouts provide plenty of opportunities to mingle with the natural environment and
get some excellent photographs. For The Adventurous
From Zeehan it is possible to take the back road across the Pieman River at Corinna (punt) and on to
Arthur River and Smithton. This is a wonderful experience of Tasmania's rarely touched
countryside and goes through forests and plains. The road is loose surface from Corinna north
and can be a bit testing. I have driven it several times, the most recently in August 2012.
If you are travelling by night (not recommended) beware of wildlife, and the punt at Corinna
only operates of a day.
There is a wonderful licensed resort at Corinna (on the north side of the river) and, if you
arrive late, plenty of beds and a great atmosphere. Try the mushroom quiche made with mushrooms
grown at the resort.
Make sure you include the west coast on your tour of Tasmania. It is rapidly becoming
the most important touring region in the state.
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