RoadAtlas
Tasmania West Coast — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

Tasmania West Coast

Australia

In short: Tasmania West Coast is a 500 km scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 4–5 days, best in Nov–Apr. Highlights: Hobart, Queenstown, Strahan.

Distance
500 km
Duration
4–5 days
Best Season
Nov–Apr
IconicEasyScenic

The wild side of Australia's island state, from Hobart west through Queenstown's moonscape to Strahan, the fishing town once described as "the best little town in the world", then north past the Henty Dunes, Cradle Mountain, and Mt Roland to Launceston. Tasmania's west coast keeps giving long after you think it's done.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
This route is sealed and straightforward for any vehicle, but the West Coast Range brings long climbs, sharp bends, and weather that can change fast. In winter and shoulder seasons, expect rain, fog, and occasional mountain snow near Cradle Mountain; fuel up before leaving larger towns, as services thin out between Hobart, Strahan, and Launceston.
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Stops along the route

Hobart — Departure — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Departure
Hobart
Australia's second-oldest city at the foot of Mount Wellington. Salamanca Place's sandstone warehouses, MONA, and the waterfront market define a city of real sophistication.
Hotels
Queenstown — City — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
City
Queenstown
A century of copper mining stripped the surrounding hills bare, leaving vivid orange, red, and purple mineral terrain unlike anywhere else in Australia. Startlingly beautiful.
Hotels
Strahan — City — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
City
Strahan
A tiny fishing port on Macquarie Harbour where Gordon River cruises push deep into the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park wilderness. One of Australia's great small towns.
Hotels
Launceston — Arrival — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Arrival
Launceston
Tasmania's second city in the Tamar Valley. Cataract Gorge, a dramatic riverside gorge with a chairlift, sits 15 minutes from a city renowned for food and Tamar Valley wine.
Hotels

Things to Do

Henty Dunes — Nature — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Nature
Henty Dunes
Giant coastal sand dunes rising directly from the highway 24 km north of Strahan. Visitors can walk or sandboard down the faces straight to the Southern Ocean shore.
Cradle Mountain — Nature — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Nature
Cradle Mountain
Tasmania's most iconic peak, its jagged dolerite summit reflected in Dove Lake. The Enchanted Walk through ancient pencil pines is among Australia's finest short forest walks.
MONA - Museum of Old and New Art — Museum — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Museum
MONA - Museum of Old and New Art
Located in Hobart, MONA features provocative contemporary art exhibitions in an architecturally stunning underground space.
Gordon River Cruise — Scenic Cruise — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Scenic Cruise
Gordon River Cruise
Departing from Strahan, this cruise offers serene views of the Gordon River's pristine wilderness and reflections.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park — National Park — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Home to the iconic Cradle Mountain, this park offers hiking trails through diverse landscapes and wildlife encounters.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary — Wildlife Sanctuary — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Wildlife Sanctuary
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Near Hobart, Bonorong provides close encounters with Tasmanian devils, wombats, and other native wildlife.

Where to Eat

The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery — Farm-to-Table — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Farm-to-Table
The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery
Located in New Norfolk, this eatery offers seasonal dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients in a rustic setting.
Stillwater Restaurant — Modern Australian — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Modern Australian
Stillwater Restaurant
Situated in a historic flour mill in Launceston, Stillwater serves contemporary Australian cuisine with river views.
Franklin Restaurant — Contemporary — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Contemporary
Franklin Restaurant
In Hobart, Franklin offers innovative dishes cooked over a wood-fired oven in a minimalist, industrial-chic space.
The Black Cow Bistro — Steakhouse — Tasmania West Coast — Australia
Steakhouse
The Black Cow Bistro
A Launceston favorite, this bistro specializes in premium Tasmanian beef, served in a cozy, art deco-inspired setting.

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Tasmania West Coast drive?

The Tasmania West Coast covers 500 km from start to finish.

How long does the Tasmania West Coast take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4–5 days on the Tasmania West Coast, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Tasmania West Coast?

The recommended season for the Tasmania West Coast is Nov–Apr.

Where does the Tasmania West Coast start and end?

The Tasmania West Coast runs from Hobart to Launceston.

What are the main stops on the Tasmania West Coast?

The Tasmania West Coast passes through Hobart, Queenstown, Strahan.

Can I drive the Tasmania West Coast in a regular car?

Yes — the Tasmania West Coast is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Tasmania West Coast?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Tasmania West Coast, based on its 500 km length.

Is the Tasmania West Coast safe to drive?

This route is sealed and straightforward for any vehicle, but the West Coast Range brings long climbs, sharp bends, and weather that can change fast. In winter and shoulder seasons, expect rain, fog, and occasional mountain snow near Cradle Mountain; fuel up before leaving larger towns, as services thin out between Hobart, Strahan, and Launceston.

What scenic tier is the Tasmania West Coast?

The Tasmania West Coast is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.