8 great things to do in Strahan and the West Coast (Tasmania).

8 great things to do in Strahan and the West Coast (Tasmania).

A complete travel guide with 8 great things to do in Strahan and the West Coast of Tasmania. Explore this incredible piece of Tassie off the beaten track with these essential attractions and must-do activities.

Tasmania's west coast is isolated, rugged and rich in history. It's also one of those travel destinations that really leaves an impression on you. From exploring pristine temperate rainforest waterfalls to riding a historic steam train through the iconic West Coast wilderness, there are just so many great things to do in Strahan and the West Coast that you won't want to miss.

Strahan is one of the best bases for exploring the West Coast. It is considered the region's tourism hub, with several highlights including the Gordon River Cruises and the Wilderness Railway departing from here.

In this guide, I aim to provide you with the latest, up-to-date travel tips and advice for things to do in Strahan and the West Coast, based on my personal experience. At the end of this post I have also included a Strahan accommodation guide and some more photos that I hope will inspire your visit to this beautiful region.

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8 great things to do in Strahan and the West Coast

1. Experience the Gordon River Cruise

By far one of the best things to do in Strahan, and for many even the whole of Tasmania, is a cruise on the Gordon River.

Strahan lies at the northern tip of Macquarie Harbor and serves as the terminus for the Gordon River. There are several different cruise options, but by far the best rated and most cost-effective is operated by World Heritage Cruises. This is the iconic red boat in Strahan.

This trip typically takes place in the morning and involves a full 6-hour round trip on the Gordon River. You'll also stop at Sarah Island and check out the high-tech aquaculture farms. A full lunch buffet is also included. During high season, tickets often sell out, so it's best to book online in advance.

Book the best price online: Gordon River Cruise Ticket

Alternative: Sunset Cruise with Dinner (more expensive)

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Ultimate Tasmanian travel resource

I hope you enjoy this blog post. For more Tasmania travel and adventure inspiration, don’t miss my ultimate guides below.

– 62 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania – Where to Stay in Tasmania (Best Places) – 26 Amazing Waterfalls in Tasmania – 35 Must-Do Hikes in Tasmania

2. Hop aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway

The West Coast Wilderness Railway is a west coast attraction known as one of Tasmania's icons. This historic railway line travels through the deep Tasmanian wilderness, allowing visitors to experience the rugged but undeniably beautiful terrain aboard a historic steam train.

There are several options, but I highly recommend taking the Rack and Gorge line, which runs from Queenstown and goes to the incredible King River Gorge and the remote station at Dubbil Barril. This is one of the most beautiful excursions and lasts approximately 4 hours.
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3. Visit Hogarth Falls

For those staying in Strahan and looking for things to do, be sure to add Hogarth Falls to your list. This rainforest waterfall is conveniently located within walking distance of Strahan Harbour. The hike is also incredibly scenic and is rated as very easy.

It's not often that you find such an impressive natural attraction so close to a major tourist city, so be sure to check it out.

Read more: Hogarth Falls – How to get here and what to expect
alt=“HOGARTH FALLS STRAHAN”>Hogarth Falls – One of the best things to do in Strahan

4. Take the 99-Bends to Queenstown

Personally, one of my favorite things to do in Strahan and the West Coast is a day trip to Queenstown to drive the scenic 99-turn road. Honestly, I was blown away by how incredibly beautiful this wild, rugged ride is!

This special section of winding asphalt road winds over the mountains and offers breathtaking scenery and exciting hairpin bends. The great thing about this ride is that you don't need a four-wheel drive or supercar to enjoy it. Any car or RV will do fine in good conditions, just make sure to drive safely!

If you're looking for inspiration from this epic ride, I've included a video below with some quick footage from my trip.

More photos: Driving on 99 Bends Road in Queenstown

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DISCOUNT: 5-Day Tasmania Highlights Tour from Hobart

5. Check out the Iron Blow Lookout

If you've decided to explore the 99-turn drive from Queenstown, be sure to add Iron Blow Lookout to your West Coast activities too! Located just around the corner from the famous road, this location offers a historical snapshot into Tasmania's mining past.

This overlook features an epic cantilevered observation deck over an aqua blue open water-filled opening. The site is the earliest major mining operation on Mount Lyell, a reminder of the major impact mining has had on Tasmania's history.

Read more: Iron Blow Lookout near Gormanston
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6. Drive to Nelson Falls

Another must-see attraction on Tasmania's west coast is the incredible Nelson Falls. Visitors will find this remarkable waterfall in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, just a few kilometers from Queenstown.

The short rainforest trail to Nelson Falls is one of the most beautiful in the state and a quick and easy return trip. For those traveling in western Tasmania from Strahan, I would suggest adding this to your Lyell Highway route on the way back to Derwent Bridge.

There are many other worthwhile stops on this scenic road, including the Frenchman’s Cap hike and a stop at the Franklin River, but Nelson Falls stood out for me.

Read more: Nelson Falls – Complete Waterfalls Guide
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RELATED POST: 30 Awesome Things to Do in Hobart

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7. Whitewater rafting on the King River

One of the best adrenaline-pumping activities on the West Coast is an epic whitewater rafting trip on the King River.

This class 4 slope is an excellent place as it is suitable for beginners but will also get your heart racing.

This special trip is actually one of the best deals on the West Coast, as it combines a whitewater rafting trip through the King River Gorge with the spectacular steam train ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway in a single day!

Book: Whitewater Rafting & Westcoast Wilderness Railway
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8. Check out Henty Dunes

A day trip to Henty Dunes rounds out this epic list of things to do in Strahan and Tasmania's west coast. The dunes are located approximately 14 kilometers north of Strahan on the way to Zeehan.

These dunes are quite impressive, some reaching heights of around 30 meters. Like much of Tasmania, this landscape is quite unique, almost a desert on the edge of a dense temperate rainforest.

Henty Dunes were formed by the Roaring Forties, a powerful wind that blew continuously from South America. Visitors can take an easy 1.5-hour walk through the dunes to Ocean Beach, the longest sandy beach in the state. Otherwise, try tobogganing (rent from Strahan) down the dunes or book a quad bike (ATV) tour.

Further information: Henty Dunes ATV
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Continue exploring the West Coast: Beyond Strahan

I hope this quick trip guide has inspired you to do some epic things in Strahan and the West Coast. But the adventures don't end there. While this guide focused primarily on the Strahan and Queenstown region, the truth is that there is so much more to explore in the Wild West!

I've written loads of travel guides for the region, particularly further north in and around The Tarkine. Three of my top recommendations are:

• Selbstfahrend der Tarkine Drive
• Erkundung des Trowutta-Bogens
• Am Rande der Welt stehen
• Klettern auf der Nuss in Stanley
• Schauen Sie sich die Dip Falls und die wilden Philosopher Falls an

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Where to stay in western Tasmania

The most popular accommodation in Western Tasmania is Strahan. There is just so much to see and do in this region and it is definitely worth spending at least a few days. Activities like the Gordon River Cruise and the Cog Railway are a must when traveling in Tasmania.

Below are a few of my recommended places to stay in nearby Strahan and one in Queenstown.
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Wheelhouse Apartments – StrahanUnique apartments in Strahan, all with river or lake views. These apartments are some of the top rated online apartments for Western Tasmania!

Check availability and price for your dates at Wheelhouse Apartments

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The Boat House - Strahan Another Strahan favorite, this affordable vacation rental features river views and a kitchen and living area.

Check availability and price for your dates at the boathouse

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Penghana B&B - QueenstownIf you're looking for the best accommodation in Queenstown, check out this 1898 National Trust Mansion B&B, just 2 minutes' drive from the Wilderness Railway and Heritage Tours.

Check availability and price for your travel dates at Penghana B&B

More photos from Strahan and the West Coast

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More Tasmania travel guides and ideas for things to do

That concludes this fantastic list of things to do in Strahan Tasmania. If you found it useful or have other suggestions for this resource, leave a comment below.

Otherwise, before you go, why not check out some of my other blog posts? I spent a lot of time exploring, documenting and photographing Tassie's best highlights. So start with one of the following articles, I guarantee you will find something new!

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