Wild and waiting, Tasmania’s west welcomed us with so much more than an adventure. It’s been about a week since we landed in the wild land of Tasmania’s western landscape, and I’m still reeling from the epic, fleeting memories we’ve collected from our time there.
Often regarded as an isolated, wild destination at the edge of the world, the trip to Tasmania is certainly a worthy one. Easily accessible by air from either Melbourne or Sydney airports, we landed in Hobart (Tasmania’s major airport) to begin our journey to the Western Wilds and within minutes were sipping Tasmanian Sauvignon Blanc with a view of Hobart’s gorgeous harbor.
Today, I’m excited to share some of the most incredible experiences we had while exploring Tasmania’s western shores!
Hobart
Stay
MACq 01 Hotel
Our home away from home was nestled right in the historic, waterfront area of Hobart’s Hunter Island, one of the earliest sites of European settlement in the island! We loved its authenticity and pride in its history… and the five minute walk to the downtown area could not be beat!
Eat
Faro at MONA
Inside MONA’s impressive campus in a museum wing named after a Greek lighthouse is this gem of a restaurant! We were delighted by its European-inspired menu and shared plates in a seriously impressive setting.
Old Wharf Restaurant at MACq 01 Hotel
We loved dining here for an easy, yet delicious meal right in our hotel.
Do
Get Cultured At The MONA Museum
We took the 30-minute ferry to the impressive MONA Museum and opted for the Posh Pit upgrade with a full bar and snacks to accompany the scenic cruise. It was so worth it, in my opinion for the relaxation alone!
Started by Tasmania local, David Walsh who came from humble beginnings and amassed a large amount of wealth through online gambling, the Museum Of Old And New Art is a playground of unique, eccentric and interactive exhibits. I could have happily spent an entire day here, taking it all in!
Admission is free for Tasmanian residents or if you’re under eighteen! And some of the exhibits do require an additional entry ticket to experience, but trust me… it was so incredible and worth it.
Take A Scenic Flight To Strahan
Soak in the glory of Tasmania’s hues and epic landscapes in a scenic flight from above. We took the flight with Par Avion from the Cambridge Airport and I wish the flight would have never ended!
Watch The Sunset From kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Finish off an eventful, adventurous day by taking in the sunset from kunanyi / Mount Wellington’s overlook. Truly there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the sun set after a day well spent exploring… and this was the perfect vantage point!
Strahan
Do
Take The Scenic Gordon River ‘Spirit Of The Wild’ Cruise
Take in the views and learn about this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site that is one of the few in the world that checks off all seven of the criteria. The Gordon River Cruise we boarded is brand new and offers a full bar and a delicious lunch made with Tasmanian local ingredients. Not to mention, you can take in the views from the very comfortable seats in the premium upper deck! Perfect for taking in the wildlife of the Gordon River area.
Catch The Play The Ship That Never Was
This play is not only entertaining but it helps you learn more about the river you just sailed down as well as the history of Sarah Island. It’s a perfect summarizer for the whole journey!
New Norfolk
Our first stop in Tasmania’s Western Wilds was New Norfolk. A unique experience just 45 minutes west of Hobart and set on five acres, the restaurant is an absolute gem with delicious farm-to-table, seasonal dishes and a light and airy interior in the town’s beautiful Bronte building, which was converted from the town’s old mental asylum. Talk about turning abandonment into beauty!
Eat
The Agrarian Kitchen Eatery
Lake St. Clair
Stay
Pumphouse Point
Incredibly unique, relaxing and remote, Pumphouse Point offers three different accommodation types: The Retreat, The Shorehouse and The Pumphouse. We stayed in The Shorehouse that offered beautiful views of the famed and picturesque Pumphouse. Each building offers a a lounge equipped with fireplaces and an honesty bar. This property is definitely for those seeking the ultimate relaxation experience that is out of the norm. We loved the attention to detail including fresh baked bread upon check-in (and anytime you request it) and a fully stocked fridge and backpack to equip you for the perfect picnic with a view.
Queenstown
Queenstown is one of the quaintest little stops along the Western Wilds journey. What used to be a mining town in Tasmania’s past, became one of our favorite stops along our journey for its history and quirkiness! It’s also home to one of the most interesting landscapes – or moonscapes as the locals call it – that literally looks like you’ve just landed on the moon.
Stay
Penghana
We stayed at the charming Penghana Bed & Breakfast, located on a mountain top with stunning views of Queenstown. Our hosts Steve and Karen were absolutely lovely and truly know how to make their guests feel right at home. (Bonus: their wifi was one of the fastest we had during our time in Tasmania – perfect for digital nomads – and their home cooked breakfast was one of the best meals we had!).
Do:
RoamWild: Mountain Heights Wildlife Nights
Adventurous souls should not miss this experience! We went on a 4×4 adventure that took us up to the best view points in Queenstown that can only be reached with our guide Anthony from RoamWild Tasmania. He was an incredible host and was super informative and accommodating during our tour. His passion for his home was inspiring and truly shined through in what he does. We began our journey up to Mount Owen for sunset and started the next day catching sunrise at Mount Jukes. Throughout the evening, we spotted local wildlife and thanks to Anthony (and the really awesome bright lights on the side of his 4×4), we were able to see animals like pademelons. We ended the evening climbing into a real mine to experience what a working day was like for gold miners in the past! Thank you Anthony, for an incredible experience.
West Coast Wilderness Railway
An incredibly fun experience to have in Western Tassie is, hands down, the West Coast Wilderness Railway. We boarded the train in the morning and got off at the various scenic stops along the way. The experience gave me such a sense of nostalgia because the train is a true reflection of what it was like to live in Tasmania in the past. We also got to witness the conductors manually turn the train around, which was so fascinating to see first hand!
Eat
Paragon Cinema Restaurant
A home-cooked meal at the Paragon Cinema Restaurant was such a fun spin on dinner at a restaurant. The vintage theatre-turned-restaurant still functions and you can watch films during your meal and grab a drink at the concession stand / bar!
Cradle Mountain
Stay
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Super cozy with a stunning bar, tavern and plenty of fireplaces for everyone to stay warm by, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is located at the base of famed Cradle Mountain and offers tons of activities to keep you busy during your stay.
Eat
Highland Restaurant At Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
This restaurant blew us away with its impeccable service and intriguing dishes. Would you believe me if I told you I tried wallaby here?
Do
Tasmanian Devils experience
Just a five minute drive from the Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge is the Devils @ Cradle wildlife conservation facility, right at the entrance to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. This conservation sanctuary focuses on the mysterious Tasmanian devil, but you’ll also find all sorts of wildlife within its facility. No stop to Tasmania is complete without seeing the secretive devil it’s famous for, if you ask me!
Visit & Explore Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park is a magnificent World Heritage site you must see for yourself! Within its borders, we found ourselves in awe of the incredible nature that surrounded us. Waterfalls, lakes, quiet forests, alpine mountains, wombats, currawongs, quolls, trees as old and as ancient as you could imagine. This national park is really an outdoor-lovers paradise.
Launceston
We took a road trip from Cradle Mountain to Launceston to catch our flight to Melbourne, and along the way we were treated to the most stunning countryside views.
We made a pit stop at the Tasmanian Food and Wine Conservatory for lunch and it was like something out of a dream. Natural light spilling into the light and airy interior and surrounded by the most beautiful bottles of wine and plants dripping from every corner of the place… it was an absolute highlight of the trip.
Another world awaits in Tasmania’s Western Coast. From first hand experience, I will tell you, answer its call.
Trip sponsored by Discover Tasmania.
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