Welcome to the majestic North-West...
Tasmania's North West epitomises all that is special about the island state. Small country towns full of friendly locals, antique shops and historical buildings that tell stories of tragedy, triumph against adversity, pioneering courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. Unique geological monoliths such as The Nut at Stanley and Table Cape at Wynyard stand proudly majestic and defiant against the wild forces of Bass Straight, and the rich red soils formed over millions of years by the volcanic eruptions nourishes some of the world’s best produce.
The people in the north-west are creative – they make things and they grow things. Weekend markets showcase the results of creative hands and minds, and restaurants, farmers markets and cafes feature produce grown from the soil and plucked from the sea. A day trip in the North-West can include a visit to a raspberry farm, chocolate makers and cheese producers, cherry and beer sheds and a whiskey and vodka distillery. At each place you can stop, rest, eat, drink and experience the best Tasmania has to offer.
Whilst everything seems close in the North-West, once you leave the populations centres it can only take half an hour and you are amongst some of the oldest and most untouched wilderness areas in the world. Rainforests, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, valleys and wide coastal plains are all within arms reach. The rivers are home to platypus and freshwater crayfish, and the beaches shelter Little Penguin colonies. The National Parks are brimming with unique flora and fauna, including the ancient Huon Pine trees. The North-West was also home to the fabled Tasmanian Tiger. Although the last captive animal died in the Hobart Zoo in 1936 - there are many reported sightings around the North West since then. None have been proven conclusively however, and the species was declared extinct in 1986.
Local stories and legends abound in the North-West – Wynyard is home to the oldest Ford in the world, Flowerdale to the largest freshwater crayfish, Waratah to the richest tin mine in the world, Stanley is the birthplace of Tasmania’s first Prime Minister Sir Josef Lyons, and Sarah Island home to Tasmania’s harshest convict penal settlement. So many stories to discover and enjoy, so take your time touring North-West Tasmania.
The far northwest claims the ‘cleanest air in the world, the Tarkine wilderness the largest temperate rainforest in the world, not to mention the unbeatable beauty of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park. There are Aboriginal sites of cultural significance and convict ruins echoing the brutal and tragic past. It’s all close, and it’s all touchable. Native animals will barely blink and eye as you enter their backyard – and if you are lucky – you might even pat a wombat or a pademelon on your wilderness walk.
It’s charming and authentic, and it’s nature as it should be. Unhurried, unique and unspoilt. Whether its watching dolphins at sunset over a glass of Tasmanian wine, exploring a mystical rainforest then warming yourself by an open fire, or a chance encounter with a friendly wombat on the beach – once is never enough in North West Tasmania.
For more information: www.tasmaniasnorthwest.com.au or www.discovertasmania.com
World class wilderness experiences
The Tarkine – www.discoverthetarkine.com.au or www.stanley.com.au
Cradle Mountain National Park - http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/national-parks-and-wilderness/cradle-mountain-lake-st-clair-national-park
Franklin Gordon Rivers National Park- http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/national-parks-and-wilderness/franklin-gordon-rivers-national-park
