NORTH WEST TASMANIA
A lot of Tasmania, in one direction.
See where the road takes you
WELCOME TO THE NORTH WEST
From fertile farmland and coastal towns to ancient rainforests and mountain country
North West Tasmania has it all, and the best way to find it is behind the wheel. A right turn at Devonport puts you on a road through farmland and coastal towns, where the food on your plate hasn’t travelled far and the person who made it might just be the one serving it to you.
There’s plenty of opportunity for a walk, a long lunch or a local’s recommendation, and in summer the days are long enough to fit all three.
Where will you go first?
Some roll off the Spirit of Tasmania and keep going. Others pick a town and branch out from there. The coast is close, the mountains are just over there, and the far west? That rewards the drive.
Along the coast
The coast road
Beaches, farm gates and small towns, one after the other. Stopping at most of them is the general idea.
The Far North West
Over west
Past Stanley the roads get a bit narrower and quieter, until the coast meets the takayna / Tarkine wilderness.
Inland
Away from the water
Country towns and mountain views, a turn inland from the coast.
Find your way
One easy coastal drive
The North West unfolds along a single ribbon of coast - west from Devonport's ferry terminal to the edge of the Tarkine, then inland to Cradle Mountain. Tap a town on the map to start exploring.
GROWN & MADE HERE
Follow your appetite
Good food is part of the journey in the North West. The farms sit right beside the road, the water is cold and clean, and the people growing and making are usually happy to talk about it.
The Tasting Trail ties much of it together, and a long lunch somewhere along the way is mandatory.
Plan and stay
Before you arrive
The practical side of things. Where to stay, how to get here and how to get around.
Ideas for the road
Nature & Wilderness 09.07.25
Where to See Penguins in North West Tasmania
Looking for a free, front row seat to an unforgettable Tassie wildlife experience? Then penguin spotting on the North West Coast is a must-do. From Devonport to Stanley,…
Three Bloom’in hot spots
North West Tasmania’s Bloom’in Hotspots You Can’t Miss Flowers and gardens in North West Tasmania There’s always something changing in the gardens and fields of the North West.…
Hikes + Walks 10.01.25
Walking and Hiking in the North West
The North West is a trove of trails, and while you can pack up the four seasons tent and dehydrated food for a multi night hike, it’s just…
What's On
Coming up in the North West
Festivals, food trails and events. The calendar picks up from March.
See what’s onWhen to visit
When to visit the North West
Anytime, and we're not just saying that. The seasons make themselves known here, shaping what’s on your plate, the rhythm of daily life and how the landscape looks.
Spring | September - November
Spring brings longer days and a burst of colour. Table Cape’s tulip fields steal the show, with the Wynyard Tulip Festival drawing thousands each October. Across the region, events like the CHArts Festival, The Unconformity and the Burnie 10 add to the buzz. Fresh produce, blooming gardens and open roads make it the ideal season for a self-drive trip.
Summer | December - February
North West summers are made for long days, beaches and seafood. It’s the season of small town festivals and easy coastal living, with highlights like the Festival of King Island. Book ahead, hit the road, and make the most of the region’s warmest, brightest days.
Autumn | March - May
Autumn is a good time to slow down. Days are calm and clear, evenings are cool, and Cradle Mountain National Park glows with the turning of the fagus, Tasmania’s only deciduous native. It’s also harvest season - you’ll taste it at the Forage Festival in Stanley, Good Gumnuts Festival in Burnie and community events right across the coast.
Winter | June - August
In Tassie, we lean into winter, and the North West is no exception. This is the Off Season, with crisp, quiet days and plenty of reasons to rug up and get out. Join the locals for Permission to Trespass at Table Cape and Wynyard, head west for the Strahan Solstice, or indulge at Chocolate Winterfest in Latrobe. There’s music too, with Devonport Jazz warming the coast in July.
Tasting Trail Tasmania
Follow your tastebuds across the region
Cheese, cider, whisky, berries and chocolate, straight from the makers. Plot your own food trail through the North West.
See the Tasting Trail