West Coast

Travel Guide

In the western wilderness of Tasmania in Australia, there is a remote historic mining town which is rather beautiful and peaceful, named Corinna. It is the gateway to the Tarkine - second largest temperate rainforest in the world. I went there in a winter break, and pitched my tent (was the only tent there) just in front of this river - Pieman River (quite like the name). Almost after the gold sunset, fog started rising from the surface of Pieman River. Then, the whole tone went so #Blue! Everything was just right! However, the second day, when I rented a kayak to explore surroundings by river, a tourism board caught my attention. It WAS nothing rather than description of this place, BUT this river turns out to be named after a convict who bacause of his repeated CANNIBALISM!!!! In the year of 1822, the convict Alexander Oearce finally recaptured, after few escapes, with bits of Thomas Cox's (another convict he escaped with) hands and fingers in his pockets. Even though I was horrified by this plausible true story, I finished reading the story with disgust for Pieman River. Since I have already paied for the rental of a kayak, I figured that I have to go into the Pieman River with a sense of disgust. Fortunitely, the scenery was simply so great that I left behind that horribly inhuman story.
In the western wilderness of Tasmania in Australia, there is a remote historic mining town which is rather beautiful and peaceful, named Corinna. It is the gateway to the Tarkine - second largest temperate rainforest in the world. I went there in a winter break, and pitched my tent (was the only tent there) just in front of this river - Pieman River (quite like the name). Almost after the gold sunset, fog started rising from the surface of Pieman River. Then, the whole tone went so #Blue! Everything was just right! However, the second day, when I rented a kayak to explore surroundings by river, a tourism board caught my attention. It WAS nothing rather than description of this place, BUT this river turns out to be named after a convict who bacause of his repeated CANNIBALISM!!!! In the year of 1822, the convict Alexander Oearce finally recaptured, after few escapes, with bits of Thomas Cox's (another convict he escaped with) hands and fingers in his pockets. Even though I was horrified by this plausible true story, I finished reading the story with disgust for Pieman River. Since I have already paied for the rental of a kayak, I figured that I have to go into the Pieman River with a sense of disgust. Fortunitely, the scenery was simply so great that I left behind that horribly inhuman story.
I took this shot on my way to climb Mt. Murchison. Had to stop and get that early morning mist.
Midlands showing a lake or waterhole, mountains and tranquil scenes
Queenstown
Cradle Mountain Hotel

Cradle Mountain Hotel

4 out of 5
3718 Cradle Mountain Road Cradle Mountain TAS
The price is €187 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
€187
5 Mar - 6 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
The room was spacious and clean. A little dated but it was very comfortable. The staff were also pleasant and helpful. The included breakfast buffet lifted the stay to new heights.

Reviewed on 5 Feb 2026

Cradle Mountain Hotel
Strahan Village

Strahan Village

4 out of 5
The Esplanade Strahan TAS
The price is €123 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
€123
13 Mar - 14 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Strahan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
Very professional staff

Reviewed on 7 Feb 2026

Strahan Village
West Coaster Motel

West Coaster Motel

3.5 out of 5
Batchelor Street Queenstown TAS
The price is €89 per night from 13 Feb to 14 Feb
€89
13 Feb - 14 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly motel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (531 reviews)
Friendly staff, clean spacious room, clean bathroom. Onsite parking. the provision of face towels for each person is welcomed. Men have faces too and use face cloths.

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

West Coaster Motel
See all 120 properties in West Coast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cradle Highlander

Cradle Highlander

3.5 out of 5
3876 Cradle Mountain Road Cradle Mountain TAS
Stay at this aparthotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Devils at Cradle and Dove Canyon Track ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (728 reviews)
Very clean and spacious accommodation. Helpful and friendly staff. Food in the restaurant very good. Overall good value for money.

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Cradle Highlander
Zeehan Bush Camp

Zeehan Bush Camp

2 out of 5
Hurst Street Zeehan TAS
Stay at this campsite in Zeehan. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum and Zeehan Golf Club are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (138 reviews)
Our cabin was cozy, spotless and as described. The staff were so friendly and the grounds were so picturesque. Would definitely stay here again.

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2026

Zeehan Bush Camp
Strahan Bungalows

Strahan Bungalows

4 out of 5
Cnr Andrew & Harvey Streets Strahan TAS
Stay at this apartment in Strahan. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Popular attractions Strahan Golf Club and West Coast Reflections are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (401 reviews)
The bungalow was very well presented, very clean and comfortable. Bathroom spacious and equipped for a guest with special needs. Very easy access for parking and in a good location.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Strahan Bungalows
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Queenstown

Nelson Falls

4/5(2 reviews)

Delve into Tasmania’s dense temperate rainforest and find a mighty waterfall tumbling from a precipice of moss-covered rocks at the end of a pleasant stroll.

Nelson Falls
BACK TO THE CAVE MAN Story and pics by Ian Smith I’m meeting Gerry today, a 65 year old Tasmanian who’s seen most of the island state, way more than I’ll ever cover in a lifetime. I’m tagging along with him to Julius Creek, a semi-obscure destination that he wants to return to – and who am I to argue? It’s mildly famous among the bushwalking fraternity because it has caves so I’m expecting to be in a dark place sometime in the ensuing hours. We’re somewhat tardy in heading out and I’m not sure exactly what we’ll be doing other than the caves, I’m just happy to have a guide. Our first stop is Edith Creek general store/café/service station – you name it they’ll have a go. In fact, talking to one of the owners later, he’s managed to start a profitable business utilizing the wood that the forestry company doesn’t want, finding many uses for the initially rejected timber. Gerry however, is taking me to what the tourist image of the fabled Tarkine is, pristine Gondwana forest swathed in lichen and moss. There’s a new loop road not far from Edith Creek. Actually, it’s not new, but the sealing of it and promotion as a tourist destination is. Where Gerry’s taking me will not be on any serious promoter’s list in the foreseeable future though; I figure that out as we turn off one road onto another, then another and it’s a dirt road in the midst of becoming overgrown by forest with grasses and reedy-type plants as high as the bonnet running down the middle. For some unknown reason I thought we were headed to a less obscure destination but here, the only way you know you’ve arrived is if you happen to spot the one lone piece of pink ribbon affixed to small branch. Had Gerry not mentioned it I’d have driven right by but there’s also a slightly wide part of the road, so called, where, after several backwards and forwards motions, you can actually turn around, which is just as well because I wouldn’t fancy reversing up our route. This walk is as close to virgin as you can get; the track, such as it is, can only be followed if you keep your eyes out for the ribbons because there’s little wear and tear in some places, especially where a log has fallen down and alternate routes have been sought. This is wilderness in it truest form and we make our way down and across a small watercourse, so obscure you can walk across it and not get the top of your shoes wet. Fungi and moss love it down here beneath the tertiary growth of this forest plus tree ferns and there’s also some large leaved plant with fruit that look just like blueberries scattered liberally across the forest floor. Gerry reliably informs me that they’re Tasmanian native pepper and I later look it up and see that it has attracted interest in medical research because it retards growth of Staph Aureus and other nasties.

Sumac Regional Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Sumac Regional Reserve, a lovely green space in West Coast. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Sumac Regional Reserve
Lake Julia on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. No piers, boats, hot-dogs stands or any human dwellings. Just a glacial lake in the wilderness of the West Coast of Tasmania. It has a beach on which you can camp. Please take all your rubbish with you when you leave.

Lukes Knob Regional Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Lukes Knob Regional Reserve, a lovely green space in West Coast. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Lukes Knob Regional Reserve

Reece Dam

Learn about the local history of West Coast with a stop at Reece Dam. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Reece Dam

Savage River National Park

Explore the great outdoors at Savage River National Park, a lovely green space in West Coast. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Savage River National Park

Mount Murchison

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mount Murchison during your travels in West Coast. Wander the lakeside or discover the area's mountain views.

Mount Murchison

Things to do

From Strahan: Evening Dinner Cruise on the Gordon River

From Strahan: Evening Dinner Cruise on the Gordon River

€93
per adult
From Strahan: Evening Dinner Cruise on the Gordon River
Tasmanian devil group feed

After Dark Tasmanian Devil Feeding Tour at Cradle Mountain

€25
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
After Dark Tasmanian Devil Feeding Tour at Cradle Mountain
See all activities in West Coast
Strahan

Strahan

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain

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