North West Tasmania: Wilderness, Wildlife, Rainforests, Hiking Trails, Cruises, Heritage

Tasmania's North West Region is a diverse, attractive, untamed, rugged and fascinating locality for a vacation exploring the coastal localities and the heritage listed nature reserves in the South West National Park. The North West Region includes the charming seaboard and inland villages of Zeehan, Boat Harbour, Smithton,Wynyard, Marrawah, Penguin, Queenstown and Strahan.

The district begins at the coastal township of Penguin on the North Coast, just west of Burnie and Ulverstone, and expands along the north west seaboard area to Smithton, in the North West corner, and down the west coast area to the historic Queenstown and Strahan.

The inland roads passes through Guildford, Waratah, Zeehan, West Coast and Strahan, located on Macquarie Harbour. The north western seaboard area is very scenic with numerous untamed, isolated sandy beaches and coastlines and embayments that are ideal for bathing, angling and surfing.  There are a wide range of beachfront accommodation in the North West Tasmania Region.

There are numerous attractions, recreational amenities and activities in the North West Tasmania Region such as scenic cruises, angling, mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

The West Coast wilderness area has scenic hills covered in temperate rainforest, a rugged rocky seashore, untamed streams, vertical gorges and forests, lakes, harbours and wetlands.

The village of Strahan in the West Coast is the entrance to the Southwest National Park, Lake Gordon, and Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park areas.

There is a broad variety of places to stay, guided tours and cruises, attractions and recreational pursuits in the area.

Step into a bush timber art studio and wonder at the timber home wares and fine furniture available from Huon pine and other native timbers.

Enjoy the fresh farm produce that includes boutique dairy products and cheeses to raspberries and other fruit.

To the West is the renowned Tarkine Forests and Arthur River.

The hinterland has gently rolling hills used for grazing sheep and cattle and for various crops on the deep-red volcanic soil.

There are several delightful pubs in Strahan and the various owns in the North West that offer a range of entertainment.

Burnie has the major venues. There are several wine regions in the area.

Activities in the area encompass:

• The Great Western Tiers - a excursion along the street to Cradle Mountain.
  
• The Great Nature Trail - a wildlife excursion from Arthur River to the Narawntapu National Park
• Cruise the Gordon River with World Heritage Cruises
  
• Scenic Helicopter air journey by SeAir
  
• Cruises and angling charters on Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River
  
• Wild River Jet travels - an exhilarating 50 minute journey from Strahan up the King River
  
• West Coast Wilderness Railway.