Western Tasmania Holiday Destinations

Queenstown

Queenstown is the major town on the West Coast and started its life as a mining town over 100 years ago. The town today retains the atmosphere of the old mining days when it was the boom town of the rugged West Coast, boasting 14 hotels of which only six remain today. The hills surrounding Queenstown resemble a moonscape, a result of the once thick forests being cut down to fuel the copper smelter, whose sulphur fumes killed the remaining vegetation and stained the slopes. Impressive mountain views may be seen from the town centre and the first 3km of the Lyell Highway as it climbs steeply out of Queenstown, are undoubtedly the most spectacular to be seen from any highway in Australia.

Strathan

Situated on Macquarie Harbour with its major industries of tourism, fishing, aquaculture, and forestry, Stratham is the only port on the West Coast. The pretty little resort town with a population of approximately 575, is a big contrast to the boom days when the port catered for the mineral fields and handled more cargo than any port in Tasmania. The Union Steamship company and the customs house are the two of the most impressive reminders of that era.

Six kilometres out of town is stunning Ocean Beach renowned for its sunsets, is pounded all year long from the swells which may travel from as far as South America. River cruises along the famous Gorden River start from Stratham and include Sarah Island, Tasmania's first penal colony, made famous in Marcus Clark's novel "For the Term of His Natural Life".

Strathgordon

This village was built to house the construction workers for the huge hydro-electric schemes in the Gordon-Pedder region. Since the completion of the projects the town has developed into a tourist resort and is a favorite destination for fishermen with some of the best trout fishing in Australia, at both Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon.

Corinna

Corinna is one of the most fascinating spots in Tasmania with spectacular wilderness scenery and excellent trout fishing in the Pieman River. Located 62km south-west of Waratah with the small iron ore town of Savage River halfway between, it was first settled in 1881 and was once a booming gold-mining town with a population of 2 500. The township was situated on both sides of the Pieman River and connected by a barge service and spread over eight square kilometres.

The largest gold nugget ever found in Tasmania and weighing over 243 ounces was found at nearby Rocky River back in 1883. Cruises are available from Corinna to Pieman Heads and there is good bushwalking in the area.

Marrawah

Situated on the top corner of West Coast Marrawah is a small village surrounded by rich farming land and scenic coastline. Aboriginal carvings at Mt Cameron West show a remarkable similarity to carvings in Central Australia. There are excellent places to camp at Green Point, and Arthur River, 15km to the south provides excellent fishing and is a great place for collectors of driftwood.

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