A western road trip adventure
Our friends from West by North West share some of their favourite places to visit on a western Tassie road trip. There's no better way to start a local adventure than with local advice.
Devonport
Natural + cultural
Discover Tasmania’s railway history. Make sure you’ve got a window seat and take in the views of Don. Visit the museum and workshop, home to Australia's largest steam locomotive collection
This one’s for the history buffs. Home Hill is where Australia’s only Tasmanian-born Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, lived. Top tip: book a guided tour and marvel at the original furnishings and memorabilia.
Food + beverage
Grab a coffee and a bagel.
Find a unique and quirky piece for your home.
Warm up the belly with a gin tasting. We recommend the Mountain Gin, which features native pepper berries and herbs found near Cradle Mountain.
Ulverstone
Natural + cultural
A 45-minute circuit that’ll take you to two lookouts to see spectacular, sweeping views and enjoy fresh mountain air.
Discover Ulverstone on Foot
For those wanting to understand the history of Ulverstone, pick up a Discover Ulverstone on Foot brochure from the Ulverstone History Museum, or enjoy a walk through Ulverstone’s war-memorial parklands on the banks of the Leven River.
Food + beverage
Enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Sample some local craft brews.
You’ll wish you could spend all day at this homewares shop.
Stanley
Natural + cultural
Climb to the summit to witness a Bass Strait sunrise.
Discover early colonial architecture, convict history and incredible coastal views.
Alexander Terrace
Take in the parade of 19th century buildings and cottages.
Food + beverage
From whisky and sloe gin, to a select range of Tasmanian beer, wine and cider, there’s something for every palate.
Gather your own stash of wine, chocolate and incredible local produce.
A must while in Stanley – sample one of the local scallop pies.
Sheffield
Natural + cultural
Over 100 huge paintings by local artists feature on the walls of buildings. Take the audio tour, which is available from the visitor information centre.
Experience the weird and the wonderful, an antique store packed full of character and charm.
A stunning walk that will have you 1233 metres above sea level.
Food + beverage
Warm up with a coffee or taste some freshly made fudge. There's more than 200 flavours to choose from.
Carefully hand-crafted beers inspired by ingredients from the north-west region.
Queenstown
Natural + cultural
Hear stories from locals and wander through the many rooms filled with west coast history in the 'museum in a pub'.
Best seen in winter, take a short walk on the edge of a mountain and discover a 50-metre waterfall at the foot of Mount Owen.
An adventure you won't regret. Standing at 1275 metres above sea level, it's a reasonably tough climb, but the views you'll encounter make it more than worth it.
Food + beverage
A great spot for breakfast.
A must-try is the famed Maloneys chicken dish for dinner.
Strahan
Natural + cultural
Did you know this was Australia's longest running play? It tells the true story of the great escape from Sarah Island in 1834. The whole family will love this dramatic and hilarious tale.
Admire the glassy reflections and soak in the ancient history of the Gordon River on board Spirit of the Wild.
Food + beverage
Who doesn't love great coffee and homemade treats? You'll find them right here on the Esplanade.
Enjoy the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere while tucking into daily seasonal specials, seafood, steaks and more.
Zeehan
Natural + cultural
This 100m abandoned railway tunnel shaped like a keyhole will transport you to another time. Walk through it to find historic pieces from the west's mining past.
Delve into the west coast's unique history. With mines, trains, photos, rocks, historic buildings and more, you'll need at least an hour here.
Food + beverage
Pit Stop Cafe
Take a break from the road tripping at this retro cafe. It's the perfect combo of classic food and drinks, and eclectic items to discover.
Burnie
Natural + cultural
A short 800m stroll that's best to visit after a heavy rainfall.
If you want to spot a platypus, Fernglade Reserve is known as one of the best places to see these cute creatures in the wild. For your best chances as spotting a platypus, we recommend going in the morning or evening.
Food + beverage
Fuel up on coffee and breakfast. While you're there, grab one of their freshly brewed IPAs to warm up with later.
The perfect place to sample a whiskey tasting.
Latrobe/Port Sorell
Natural + cultural
Short walks through native forest. This is a great spot for bird watching.
A celebration of the art, skill and people behind Tasmania's woodchopping history.
Immerse yourself in the history and admire the sculptures.
Food + beverage
Enjoy a Tassie made hot chocolate.
Warm up with a Tassie pinot and indulge in a tasting platter.
Make your way through the different themed rooms full of toys and gifts.
Lower Barrington
Natural + cultural
A walking track through green Tassie forest and ferns, with views of Lake Barrington and stunning waterfalls.
Food + beverage
Hunt for and learn about truffles before getting your taste buds ready for a delicious four-course lunch.