9 Ways To Go Off The Beaten Track In West Coast Tasmania
An adventurer’s playground awaits you in West Coast Tasmania. This wondrous place is home to pristine rainforests, fern coated walking tracks, cascading waterfalls, giant dunes, alpine bike trails and awe-inspiring views. When exploring this part of Tasmania, be sure to bring your hiking boots and get ready to weave your way off the beaten track to witness some of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders.
1. Ride through the rugged, wild west, on the Mount Owen mountain bike trails.
Adrenaline junkies, the West Coast provides a mountain biking experience like no other. Weave your way through temperate rainforests, past rocky alpine ridgelines and button grass plants. The Upper Mountain trails are more remote and physically demanding – recommended for intermediate riders. The Lower Mountain trails are just a short ride from the Queenstown township and suitable for all skill levels.
Travel tip: All Upper Mountain trails are accessible by shuttle bus.
Where to find: The Mount Owen mountain bike trails are in Queenstown.
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2. Do go chasing waterfalls, at Montezuma Falls, Tasmania’s highest waterfall.
If you’re an adventure seeker, or merely a lover of beautiful things, this three hour return hike will take you through a magical rainforest, filled with fern coated tracks, before arriving at horsetail waterfall, Montezuma Falls.
Where to find: The entrance to Montezuma Falls can be found in the old mining town of Roseberry, en-route to Strahan.
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3. Toboggan down a series of dunes created by extreme westerly winds, at Henty Sand Dunes.
Thanks to the Roaring Forties, an extreme westerly prevailing wind, The Henty Sand Dunes stand at around 30m high and extend 15 kms along the coastline. Aside from being magnificent to look at, you can actually toboggan down the dunes for a bit of thrill-seeking action. Or, if you’re after something less extreme, the dunes are a great spot to picnic. You can even enjoy an easy walk through the dunes to Ocean Beach, too.
Travel tip: Toboggans are available to hire from selected businesses in Strahan. Picnic goers will find a shaded picnic area, but no water or toilet facilities.
Where to find: The dunes are 14 kms north of Strahan, on the way to Zeehan.
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4. Experience wild waves and west coast sunsets, at Ocean Beach.
Ocean Beach is an uninterrupted expanse of sand stretching more than 30 kms. As one of Tasmania’s longest beaches, this wild and rugged coastline sure attracts mighty waves and treacherous rips. However, you can still explore the beach from ashore.
Travel tip: This beach is unpatrolled and not safe for swimming.
Where to find: Ocean Beach is six kms west of Strahan Village, in West Coast Tasmania.
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5. Spot some platypus when meandering to Hogarth Falls.
As one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, the track to Hogarth Falls is an easy, scenic hike that will provide you with maximum reward. Accessible via People’s Park, the track takes you along a beautiful, botanical creek full of platypus.
Travel tip: Hogarth Falls is beautiful all year round. However, during winter and spring, it will be at maximum water flow.
Where to find: This walk starts at the top of Peoples Park, in Strahan
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6. Peer into Tasmania’s tortured mining history, at Iron Blow Lookout.
Originally an old mining site, the Iron Blow Lookout is a site to behold. Its enchanting beauty also lends to a rather haunting past, with gold discovered back in 1883. Mining companies then stripped the area bare. Despite all of this, the man-made marvel is certainly beautiful in its own right.
Travel tip: If you look closely, you might see stains of mineral deposits streaking the pit’s walls.
Where to find: Iron Blow Lookout can be found near Queenstown.
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7. Walk to Horsetail Falls, a cascading waterfall streaming down a mountainside.
One of the many things West Coast Tasmania does well is waterfalls, and Horsetail Falls is no exception. The viewing platform for this waterfall is accessible via a boardwalk, along a hillside. Eventually, you will come to the glorious waterfall, cascading down the mountainside in the shape of a horsetail. On this walk, you will also be taking in views of surrounding mountains and the ocean.
Where to find: The carpark and walking trail is accessible from the Lyell Highway, following Iron Blow Road.
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8. Go off the grid and enjoy some R&R at Trial Harbour.
Trail Harbour is a small coastal community, with only a few permanent residents. Once serving as the port of Zeehan, Trail Harbour played an important role in the development of the mining industry in this area. It is also a great place to go off the grid and enjoy some relaxing walks along the beach. For those seeking adventure, the beach is great for surfing and diving.
Travel tip: Be careful – rips and reefs are common in this area.
Where to find: Travelling north out of Zeehan on Heemskirk Road, turn left onto Trial Harbour Road, which is about three kilometres from the town centre.
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9. Learn about Tasmania’s brutal convict history, at The Ship That Never Was play.
As Tasmania’s longest running play, The Ship That Never Ways retells the dramatic accounts of an extraordinary escape made from Sarah Island by ten convicts in 1834. In true quirky Tasmanian style, the actors also put their own unique and comical twist on things.
Where to find: Performances kick off at 5:30pm and are held in the Richard Davey Amphitheatre, at the Strahan Visitor Centre.
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Whether you’re looking for a soul cleansing nature experience, or some adventure seeking activities, the west coast of Tasmania is the perfect place to go off the beaten track and enjoy some serenity.
Be sure to share your experiences touring the West Coast Tasmania on Facebook or Instagram by tagging @westcoasttas or using the hashtag #WestCoastTas or #NorthWestTasmania.