Summary

The west Coast of Tasmania is a rugged, untamed and primeval area, home to some of the last great stands of temperate rainforests and a host of lakes, rivers and gorges.

History

Many historic sites in the area, with most towns in the region having quite comprehensive tourist information or maps available.

Features

Access

Head south from Burnie, or north from Queenstown.

Maps

Various maps are available from tourist stops, local outlets, etc. Cradle Mountain has a NPWS office with a huge range of maps and guides available.

Accommodation

Many options for accommodation in Burnie, Waratah, Cradle Mountain, Rosebury, Queenstown, Strahan.

Camping

Other

Contact details

Contact details for National Park offices or similar...

Walks in West Coast Tasmania

Easy

800 m return

20 mins

Horsetail Falls

A seasonal waterfall the cascades over 50 meters down a steep cliff face, best seen in winter and spring.

Medium

3 km return

40 mins

Mashed Kidneys

Bushwalk and mountain bike track from Gormanston down across the hill to the Linda Cemetery, (and Linda cafe!) Stroll and scramble gradually down through open grassland surrounded by mountains with views to Lake Burbury before plunging through a couple wooded sections and onto the cemetery road.

Very Easy

7 km

3 hrs

Montezuma Falls walk

Tumbling an impressive 104m, it is a tremendous reward for those taking the 7km, 3-hour return track that follows the old North East Dundas Tramway, which serviced various mines in the area.

Very Hard

3 km return

5 hrs

Mt Murchison

A steep narrow track up firstly then you hit the plateau to then finish off over the boulders to the summit

Very Hard

4 km return

4 hrs

Mt Owen summit +cave

Amazing views from the summit of Mt Owen and a cave under a very ominous large boulder after a steep goat track and rock scramble

Hard

3 km one-way

2 hrs

Mt Tyndall Summit + Cave

Short walk through swampy teatree, climbing up to exposed rocky goat path to summit and surrounds. There is good water halfway up and at the plateau the track branches off. Take the left path to the summit, the last 500m is unmarked and offers some rock scrambling and pushing through low bushes. The right leads to hilltop lakes, a cave for overnight camping and a great view of the ampetheatre lake Huntley

Hard

4 km return

2 hrs

Mt Zeehan summit

Panoramic views of the west coast all the way from Queenstown to Rosebery and ocean beach await the climber on this steep, rocky goat-track

Easy

2.8 km return

1 hr

Philosophers Falls

10 minute drive out of Waratah towards Savage River. It’s a magical walk that took about an hour to stroll with plenty of photo opportunities. About 200 stairs to the falls viewing platform. Such a beautiful walk, well worth the drive to Waratah.

Medium

1 hr

Tullah Miners Hut

A relatively short ( 1hr return ) walk through one of the local state forest to a historic hut in the forest.

Hard

6 km return

2 hrs

Water Race

Steep fire road to start of walk rewards you with a level stroll through the Forrest alongside an old mine water-race, crossing a few rivulets there are side tracks Or old timber bridges for the brave. The last 200m involves some sketchy bush bashing but terminates in an old concrete dam and swimming hole