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 which includes a lake or waterhole, tranquil scenes and mountains
Queenstown

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Cradle Mountain Hotel

Cradle Mountain Hotel

4 out of 5
3718 Cradle Mountain Road Cradle Mountain TAS
The price is AED 1,038 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
AED 1,038
AED 1,141 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
Our room was clean, comfortable, spacious and well-appointed. It had a lovely view of the bush and afforded an opportunity for sighting wildlife, however the balcony was minute. The breakfast buffet was varied and adequate. The quality of our evening meals was excellent and the staff serving us were ...

Reviewed on 5 March 2026

Cradle Mountain Hotel
Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain

Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain

3 out of 5
Cradle Mountain Road Cradle Mountain TAS
The price is AED 564 per night from Mar 20 to Mar 21
AED 564
AED 564 total
20 Mar - 21 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this holiday park in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
The cabin was beautifully set out. Gorgeous views, quiet and well equipped.

Reviewed on 1 March 2026

Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge

4.5 out of 5
4038 Cradle Mountain Road Tasm Cradle Mountain TAS
The price is AED 1,054 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
AED 1,054
AED 1,159 total
31 Mar - 1 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Room was spotless and brillant fire and bathroom. Bed was very comfortable..Staff very helpful in all areas of complex. About 5pm wombats and Wallabies roam the grounds.

Reviewed on 11 February 2026

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
See all 118 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 WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Devils at Cradle and Dove Canyon Track ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (734 reviews)
Great clean chalet in prime position. Had everything we needed for our stay in terms of comfort and cooking.

Reviewed on 27 February 2026

Cradle Highlander
Zeehan Bush Camp

Zeehan Bush Camp

2 out of 5
Hurst Street Zeehan TAS
Stay at this campground in Zeehan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum and Zeehan Golf Club ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (141 reviews)
Clean comfy great amenities friendly staff.

Reviewed on 14 February 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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (407 reviews)
Self check in was easy. Unit was clean and spacious. Availability of a laundry is a bonus.

Reviewed on 2 March 2026

Strahan Bungalows
See all 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.

Popular places to visit

Queenstown

Nelson Falls

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Nelson Falls during your travels in West Coast. Wander the riverfront in this relaxing area.

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

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

Reece Dam

Learn about the local history of West Coast when you take a trip to Reece Dam. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Reece Dam

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