Best of Western Australia

You probably woke up this morning, realised how desperately you needed a vacation, and thought, Hey, what about Tasmania? You may have even glanced at a Tassie map before reading this. Or you made it to Tasmania, and you’re hunting for tourist attractions near me. Wherever you find yourself, you’re on the right page. Tasmania is known across the world for its tourism. Home to untamed rivers, ancient pine trees, and giant sand dunes, Tasmania is one of Australia’s last true wilderness frontiers, and the west coast is at the heart of the Tasmanian wilderness. With so many idyllic experiences, Western Tasmania is such a surreal experience bound to leave you longing for more.

So, whether you are challenging the infamous Franklin River on a white-water rafting expedition, cruising down the majestic Gordon River, or hiking past 1,000-year-old Huon pines in one of the world’s last temperate rainforests, be sure that you would love every moment of it! And what better way to do this than in the comfort of a Caravan? So feel free to pick up that Tasmania map and pack up your bags — as soon as you’re done reading this blog post, that is.

Go Caravanning in Western Tasmania

Almost 60 percent of Tasmania is protected within national parks and reserves, and 20 percent of this is World Heritage-listed. There are also a collection of private caravan parks and campsites located around the Tasmanian West Coast, close enough to enjoy your of fill the Tasmania wilderness experience. It’s an enormous community of adventurers intent on exploring the full breadth of the terrain. Depending on the location you pick, you get to explore Tasmania’s walks and boat cruises, among others, and still enjoy the comfort of your motor home. Here are some of the bests campsites:

• Bays of Fire Conservation Area

Known for its sculpted granite headland, on the shores of a shimmering shallow lagoon, Bays of Fire Conservation Area offers exhilarating beachside camping and caravanning. You could even nestle into the dunes behind a tiny cove and stretch your legs on the squeaky white sand. So settle in for fee-free stays of up to four weeks or make it a pitstop in your Tasmanian adventure.

• Narawntapu National Park

This coastal sanctuary is within easy reach of Devonport and remains a great place to spot Tasmanian wildlife as kangaroos and wallabies gather on the park’s powered camping ground.

• Strahan

Strahan is known for its water, and the boat cruises that cross Macquarie Harbour, visit Hell’s Gates, and explore the mythical Gordon River rainforest, which are Strahan’s biggest tourist attractions. The tour boats visit Sarah Island, too, with the horrific stories of life at Australia’s worst convict settlement. On your expedition, you also get to enjoy fishing charters and twilight penguin watching cruises.

Stretch your legs on a Tasmanian Walk

What better way to spend your vacation than traversing the epic, ancient, and transforming wilderness of the Tasmanian West Coast. The quality of these walks attracts walkers from all over the world. The 19 national parks are packed-full of campers and are crisscrossed with trails to suit every preference and expertise. Long and short, gentle and giant, mountains to the coast, there are some wonderful Tasmanian walks to take you away from it all.

There are so many trails you can enjoy in Tasmania, like the one-kilometer (0.62-mile) Franklin River Nature Trail, which passes through the cool rainforest. It’s also suitable for wheelchairs, and there are also picnic tables and toilets along the trail. A more gentle trail option is the Nelson Falls Track, which leads to the spectacular 30-meter (98-foot), Nelson Falls. If you really want to stretch it, consider the 1,443-meter hike to the summit of Frenchmans Cap.

Go wild in a chopper or buggy.

If you’re down for an even more interesting way to experience the Tasmanian west coast, take a scenic helicopter or buggy ride. Scenic helicopter rides are such an amazing way to experience Western Tasmania. You get to hop out of the caravan and explore the vast landscape — nothing beats this big picture experience. Several helicopter tours depart from many cities, including Hobart. So if you’re in Hobart searching for things to do, book a chopper ride. From Cambridge, for instance, you get to cross over the Central Highlands towards Macquarie Harbour. A couple of the rides even land to join the Gordon River cruise (more on that later). After the cruise, you will have a chance to stroll around Strahan before returning by air to Cambridge, spending about nine hours in total.

For an exhilarating adventure of a different kind, consider driving a buggy around Henty sand dunes, 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) north of Strahan. Strahan ATV Adventures dune tours, for instance, offer tours for the entire family. Wind in your hair, Wild Tasmania all around — how much more exciting could a vacation be!

Take a cruise on the Gordon or Franklin River.

Who doesn’t love an exciting boat cruise? Coast past dense temperate rainforest as you travel the calm waters of Gordon River in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Just make sure to pack your camera so you can capture the river’s beauty. You also have the option of taking a walk along the Heritage Landing (known for its ancient Huon pines) and Sarah Island (Tasmania’s oldest convict settlement). The Franklin River is also great for rafting, kayaking, or canoeing. The best part is, you can camp at the Gordon River Wild Rivers National Park Campsite. There are no amenities available, but the popular Franklin River Nature Trail has picnic tables and toilet facilities.

On the whole, no matter where you go, whether you spend time in a single place or you explore the full breadth of North West Tasmania and the West Coast, you’d be delighted you spent time in this jewel of an island.