North West Tasmania North West Tasmania
Inspiration

Places to Go

Explore all towns and regions
Arthur River Edge of the world & the Tarkine Burnie Makers, art & the foreshore Boat Harbour + Sisters Beach White sand & turquoise water Corinna Tarkine rainforest & the Pieman Cradle Mountain Alpine wilderness & Dove Lake Devonport The ferry gateway & coastline Dial Range & surrounds King Island Latrobe Platypus & the Mersey River Penguin Seaside town & little penguins Port Sorell Beaches & Narawntapu wildlife Sheffield Town of murals & Mount Roland Smithton Gateway to the far North West Stanley The Nut, penguins & history Tarkine Drive Ulverstone River, beaches & a buzzing centre Waratah Waterfalls & mining heritage West Coast Wynyard + Table Cape Table Cape, tulips & Fossil Bluff
View from a helicopter flying over snow-covered mountains in North West Tasmania near Cradle Mountain Featured Plan a coastal road trip →
Dial Range & surrounds King Island West Coast See all destinations →

Things to Do

Explore All Things to do
Tasting Trail Self-drive food & drink trail Hikes and Walks Coast, rainforest & alpine trails National Parks & Reserves Cradle Mountain, the Tarkine & more Nature & Wildlife Penguins, sanctuaries & wildlife Natural Attractions Coastline, caves, forests & falls Historical & Heritage Biking Trails for every level

Plan your visit

Start planning your trip
Getting Here Flights, the ferry & drive routes Getting Around Self-drive, car hire & transport Visitor Information Centres Local advice on the ground Itineraries & Ideas Stories & tips from the locals
Two people walking away along a narrow track through coastal grassland in soft afternoon light. Featured Start with the ferry to Devonport →
Getting here Visitor centres Itineraries & Ideas See all planning →
Popular: Cradle Mountain Stanley Where to stay Eat & drink Biking
North West Tasmania
Inspiration
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Vineyard rows leading towards the Italian-inspired cellar door at La Villa Wines in Spreyton, Tasmania.

What takes your fancy?

Things to Do

The North West has more to do than most people plan for.

Rainforest walks, penguin colonies, convict history, mural towns, mountain lakes and a coastline that keeps changing its mind. Pick a starting point below, or scroll to the full list and filter by town.

Walking the Overland Track

Hikes and walks in North West Tasmania

Coast, rainforest and alpine tracks, from a 20 minute stroll to a full week hike. Start with the ones that suit your fitness level.

See hikes and walks
Diner cutting into half a crayfish on a bed of rocket, with a glass of white wine beside the plate

Eat your way across the region

Farm gates, cellar doors and breweries, strung together by one trail so you don’t have to do the planning. Browse more under Eat and Drink.

See the Tasting Trail
Tasmanian devil with a white chest stripe, perched on dry branches in front of a pale tree trunk

Nature and wildlife

Little penguins, devils, wombats and more than a few wallabies. Wildlife is best sighted at the edges of the day, and best from a respectful distance.

See nature and wildlife

Historical sites and heritage

Convict, maritime and pioneer sites in towns that haven’t tidied the past away. Handy for those days when the weather takes a turn.

See historical sites
Car travelling along a country road towards Mount Roland near Sheffield, Tasmania.

More ground to cover

Person looking up inside Trowutta Arch, a rock sinkhole with a bright green pond and tree ferns, North West Tasmania.

Natural attractions

Coastline, caves, forests and falls, spread out along the drive.

See natural attractions
Aerial view across alpine lakes and rugged peaks at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.

National parks and reserves

Cradle Mountain, takayna / Tarkine and the parks and reserves in between. There’s plenty to see, so check conditions and pass requirements before you go.

See national parks and reserves
Mountain biker descending a rocky Mount Owen trail above Lake Burbury near Queenstown, Tasmania.

Biking

Trails for every level, from easy coastal rides to ones that require a helmet and a positive attitude.

See biking

Things to Do FAQs

What are the best things to do in North West Tasmania?

Walking in Cradle Mountain and takayna / Tarkine country, watching little penguins come ashore at dusk, climbing The Nut at Stanley, and driving the coast out to Table Cape. The Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail covers the food side.

Where can I see wildlife in North West Tasmania?

Little penguins at Burnie and Stanley, platypus around Latrobe and the Mersey River, and wombats at Cradle Mountain. Dusk and dawn give you the best odds.

Do I need a car to get around North West Tasmania?

A car makes it far easier, because most attractions are spread along the coast and inland. See Getting Around for hire and transport options.

Do I need a parks pass for national parks in North West Tasmania?

Most Tasmanian national parks, Cradle Mountain included, need a parks pass.

What can I do in North West Tasmania when it rains?

Heritage sites, cellar doors and cafes. The Tasting Trail works in any weather.

Things to do in North West Tasmania

223 experiences

Food and Wine Tours Half Day or Less

Alchymia Distillery Tours

They are a boutique distillery offering behind the scenes tours with the distiller, where visitors get to understand the process of making our single malt whisky from start…

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Cultural and Theme Tours Customised

Ambling Among Penguin’s Charms

Come along on a free 90-minute self-directed 3 kilometre audio walking tour in partnership with Cya on the Road. It showcases Penguin’s 28 CBD tourist attractions and is…

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National Parks and Reserves Natural Attractions

Archers Knob - Great Short Walk

Archers Knob is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks. The 60 Great Short Walks offer the best of Tasmania’s day walking opportunities. 3-3.5 hours circuit (9km) via…

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National Parks and Reserves

Arthur River

Arthur River is surrounded by dramatic coastal scenery and wet forests which is a great base for exploring the Tarkine wilderness area in Tasmania’s North West. The town…

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Campervans and motorhomes

AutoRent (Devonport Airport)

AutoRent is a Tasmanian-owned campervan and motorhome rental company. AutoRent offers you a complete range of campervan and motorhome rental options and has done so for decades. They…

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Campervans and motorhomes

AutoRent (Spirit of Tasmania)

AutoRent is a Tasmanian-owned campervan and motorhome rental company. AutoRent offers you a complete range of campervan and motorhome rental options and has done for decades. They know…

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Rest easy

Find your base in the North West

From off-grid lodges with outdoor baths to cottages and farmstays - settle in somewhere with a view, then let the season come to you.

Off-grid luxury with a view

Retreats & Lodges

Cottages

Cosy and full of character

Farmstays

Caravan & Camping
Browse all places to stay