West coast, Tasmania © Tourism Tasmania
Guide to Tasmania's wild west coast
White-water raft untamed rivers, sail beautiful harbours and hike through age-old rainforest on Tasmania’s wild west coast.
Home to untamed rivers, ancient pine trees and giant sand dunes, the west coast is at the heart of Tasmania's wilderness. Challenge the infamous Franklin River on a white-water rafting expedition, cruise down the majestic Gordon River and hike past 1,000-year-old Huon pines in one of the world's last temperate rainforests for a true taste of this rugged corner of Australia.
The best way to get to Tasmania’s wild west coast is to fly into either Launceston Airport (LST) or Hobart Airport (HOB) and drive to Strahan, known as ‘the gateway to the west coast’.
- Launceston Airport is 275km (171mi) from Strahan
- Hobart Airport is 302km (188mi) from Strahan
- Car hire options are available from both
Tassielink can connect you from Burnie to Strahan with scenic stops in between, giving you a chance to soak in the wild west’s scenic views on your journey.
Get around Tasmania’s west coast by car, bike or public transport or join a tour to experience the best of the region.
Due to the cooler climate, the best time to visit Tasmania’s west coast is during the summer and spring time where the weather is a little warmer than other months.
- High season: Summer (December to February)
- Low season: Winter (June to August)