South-West Wilderness

For nature lovers, no visit to Tasmania would be complete without seeing some of the west, whether by plane, boat, car or on foot. There is simply nowhere like this area anywhere in the world – fragrant pine and dense rainforests, mighty rivers, spectacular waterfalls, a wild coast, reflective lakes and harbours, and a pioneering history.

Queenstown is like visiting a town on another planet, with its unique landscape courtesy of tin and copper mining. It’s certainly not ‘pretty’, but it is dramatic. Here you can whack on a miner’s helmet and light, and go deep into Mt Lyell mine. A chairlift ride will give you a great view of the town and surrounds.

Nearby, you can trout fish in Lake Burbury or take a four-wheel-drive tour to the historic and beautiful Bird River area.

You can also take a four-wheel-drive or walk to Montezuma Falls (near Rosebery), Tasmania’s highest waterfall. Nelson Falls is also a lovely walk (28km west of Queenstown). Nearby Zeehan (also a mining town) has an interesting Pioneer Museum and Pioneers Cemetery. West of Zeehan is the spectacular coastline of Granville and Trial harbours.

The wild coastline leads into Macquarie Harbour and the charming town of Strahan. From here you can paddle a kayak, take a cruise, hop on a scenic flight, hire an all-terrain motorbike or four-wheel-drive, or try you luck on a guided fishing trip. Set aside some time for the excellent Strahan Visitor’s Centre.

Across Macquarie Harbour was the Sarah Island penal settlement. There are evening dinner cruises on the harbour (local crayfish is popular) on the 1960’s yacht Stormbreaker. Another popular diversion is the play, The Ship That Never Was. It’s a dramatic but funny tale of the last great escape from Sarah Island.

Tour the King River to Teepookana and climb to the Huon Pine forest on the Plateau. Take a walk along Ocean Beach and explore the Henty Dunes.

Take a ride on the Abt Railway, which is currently being restored to give visitors rail access from Strahan to Queenstown. There are delightful spots to hop off and explore along the way.

Further south is the stunning natural beauty of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. There are scenic flights, cruises up the Gordon River, four-wheel-drive tours or whitewater rafting on the Franklin River (ranked as one of Australia’s most rewarding adventures).

More Information

For more information about Tasmania:

• Events And Festivals
• Accommodation
• To See And Do
• Hobart
• Southeast
• Derwent
• Midlands and North
• East Coast
• North-West
• The island's Other islands

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