Embrace the cold in Tasmania’s West Coast

Morning: Head out early to make the most of your West Coast travels. If you head North, you can stop in at New Norfolk for an early morning break before heading to West to begin your adventure.

Afternoon: Start by taking a moment to admire the 50-year-old Gordon Dam. Completed in 1974, this is one of the largest double curvature arch dams in the world. You can take the stairs down to the dam wall itself and marvel at the sheer amount of water held back.

If you want to indulge in a wonderful meal the Pedder Wilderness Lodge is open most days for lunch.

Evening: For your fist night in Tasmania’s wild west, Teds Beach is a wonderful stop on Lake Pedder that offers some wonderful views, if you are willing to take a late stroll. Later in the evening you may be visited by some nocturnal hosts, keep your eyes out for possums, pademelons and if you are lucky perhaps even a Tasmanian devil.

Where to stay: Teds Beach Lake Pedder Campground – Gordon River Road, Southwest National Park, TAS 7139

Note: This is a non-powered campsite for the night – so some appliances will not work. If you would like more information about what will and will not work please visit our website as we have a useful blog on power in a campervan.

Image: Gordon Dam – Tourism Tasmania

Morning: Leaving Teds Beach you will be enjoying a leisurely drive up to Strahan. This is a wonderful opportunity to take your time and enjoy the winding roads and dense wilderness that is part of what gives Tasmania’s west coast it’s charm.

Afternoon: Explore Strahan and take a train ride on the West Coast Wilderness Railway. This train ride takes you on a journey through rugged terrain and breathtaking scenery, offering a unique combination of heritage and wilderness.

Evening: Spend the night in Strahan and use the town as a base for tomorrow’s activities. This is a great opportunity to recharge your camper and stock up on the essentials.

Where to stay: Strahan Beach Tourist Park – 1-3 Beach Street, Strahan TAS 7468

Image: Eastern Quoll – Tourism Tasmania

Morning/Afternoon: Strahan makes a wonderful home base for the next day’s activities. From this beautiful town you can take a Cruise along the Gordon River with Gordon River Cruises and explore Tasmania’s first (and most severe) penal colony on Sarah Island.

Evening: Staying another in Strahan allows you the opportunity to see Australia’s longest running play The Ship That Never Was which is performed nightly in Strahan. Bookings for this show are a must as there are limited seats available each night.

Where to stay: Strahan Beach Tourist Park – 1-3 Beach Street, Strahan TAS 7468

Image: The Ship That Never Was – Tourism Tasmania

Morning: Leaving Strahan, it’s time to head to Queenstown. So, a fuel-up will be in order, and we mean enjoying a home-cooked breakfast right in your campervan. You can then take your time and enjoy the drive.

Afternoon: In Queenstown you can delve further into Tasmania’s Hydropower history with the RoamWild Lake Margaret Hydropower tour. Departing from The Paragon Theatre, you will explore the history of hydropower in the area and enjoy an afternoon tea in the historic village hall.

Evening: After a full day exploring, it’s time to head to your base for the night. Just off the Lyell Highway is the Lake Burbury Camping Ground, with wonderful views this unpowered site is a great spot to relax and enjoy a quiet night in.

Where to stay: Lake Burbury Camping Ground – Lyell Highway, Gormanston TAS 7466

Note: The Lake Burbury Campground is a non-powered site. Please ensure that you have fully charged your campervans battery the day before.

Image: Lake Margaret Hydropower Station – Tourism Tasmania

Morning: This is the time to head back towards Hobart. This morning you will be heading from Queenstown to Tarraleah. This historic hydropower village is a wonderful spot to stop and admire the views, not only of the fantastic hills and the penstocks from the lookout, but also of the wonderfully preserved art deco cottages.

Afternoon: After a bit of a drive, it’s time to meet some of Tasmania’s most famous residents at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. You can indulge in a wonderful lunch at The Burrow plant-based cafe, before meeting the resident animals. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of wildlife including Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Echidnas and more!

Evening: Before heading back to Hobart, it’s time to spend one last night out in the wild west. The Richmond caravan park is only a short drive from Bonorong as makes a great stopover for your last night.

Where to stay: Richmond Caravan and Cabin Park – 48 Middle Tree Road, Richmond TAS 7025

Image: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Tourism Tasmania

Morning: The historic town of Richmond is your backdrop for the morning. Take the time to explore the town, see Australia’s oldest stone bridge and maybe grab a sweet treat (or two) at the Richmond Lolly Shop.

Afternoon: After heading back to Hobart, the Cascade Brewery is a great stop for an early afternoon explore. You can take the brewery tour which takes just over an hour, where you can see the process of beer-making in Australia’s oldest operating brewery. Just ensure that you leave plenty of time to make it back to the Hobart Depot by 3:30pm to return your vehicle.

Image: Cascade Brewery – Tourism Tasmania