Heading West

We recently took my dad and cousin on a three-night trip to the west of Tasmania. What a magnificent area!

First stop was Tarraleah, the former hydro station that has spectacular cliff-top views. Luckily we chose to stay in the one of the three-bedroom two-bathroom Architects' cottages. Tarraleah is a village with various types of accommodation, a pub, cafĂ©, 5-star lodge with restaurant, shop and even a caravan park. We had stayed there previously in our caravan and again enjoyed the walks around the cliff top and talking to the resident ducks and long-haired Scottish cattle.





The next morning we visited The Wall in the Wilderness a world class attraction nobody should miss. Artist Greg Duncan has almost completed his 100 metre long carving of the history of the central highlands. We understand that once completed, and after a well earned rest, Duncan will change his medium to metal work for a while.

Pumphouse Point is a fairly new luxury accommodation development right on Lake St Claire and has to be seen to be believed.



Lake Burbury is a really pretty spot to camp or caravan and we called in briefly to view the lake.

Queenstown isn't quite the bustling town it once was but it does have its share of beautiful historic buildings, cafes and of course the West Coast Wilderness Railway which is a rollicking ride through rainforest overlooking the King River. Just wonderful.




 


The sleepy harbour village of Strahan has much to offer. Here you can take the West Coast Wilderness Railway halfway to Queenstown, cruise the Gordon River, take a flight over the area, camp and swim at the wonderful beaches and see the nesting mutton birds. In the village there are ample cafes and restaurants, the famous Hamer's Hotel and the Regatta Point Tavern, where we stayed in a well equipped three-bedroom house.




The drive north via Zeehan, Rosebery, Tullah, Sheffield and Elizabeth Town, was scenic and a fitting end to four wonderful days.

Comments