20+ Things to Do in North West Tasmania in 2026

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Truth be told, Tasmania isn’t a wildly popular tourist destination for people visiting Australia. Even people from mainland Australia don’t visit all that often it seems. And unless you’re doing a lap of the island, most visits are limited to a select few places. I don’t know when I would have visited again were it not for family moving to north west Tasmania in recent years.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to spend a lot of time exploring Tasmania while staying with family. But the north west is one part of the state that’s had a strong hold on me. Through road trips and day trips, I’ve had the pleasure to experience this long list of fun things to do in north west Tasmania, relying on others’ local knowledge of the area.

Sure, you’ll see some of the state’s most famous attractions below. But I’m pretty confident that some of the following places to visit in north west Tasmania will be new to you unless you actually live there. Get ready to add some new stops to your Tasmania itinerary.

 

Cradle Mountain

Of all the places I wanted to visit in Tasmania, Cradle Mountain National Park was the right at the top of the list. That makes sense since Cradle Mountain is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of Tasmania. Who can resist the call to visit spots like Dove Lake, go for hikes and see the peaks of Cradle Mountain itself?

Part of the reason Cradle Mountain is so popular is that there all sorts of different ways you can spend time there. Over multiple visits, I’ve taken various walking trails, visited Marion’s Peak lookout, and gone down to multiple waterfalls. I’ve been lucky enough to see several wombats up close, including one that practically walked through our group!

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Related: A Day in Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania

 

Dip Falls

If I had to pick an underrated attraction in north west Tasmania, it’s definitely Dip Falls. Despite it’s deceptively humble name, this towering waterfall can be incredibly powerful as it was the day I visited. Located inland of the coastal town of Burnie, the falls are in the middle of the Dip River Forest Reserve, basically in the middle of nowhere. This means it’s both one of Tasmania’s best waterfalls but also one of its less famous ones.

At Dip Falls there are two viewing platforms, one above and below, and by below I mean you feel like they’re right on top of you. Visit after a heavy downpour and it’s a powerful sight to behold. Behind/beneath the waterfall are curious hexagonal rocks that are sure to remind travellers of places like the Giant’s Causeway in northern Ireland or Reynisdrangar in Iceland.

Forest surrounds the waterfall and is home to another landmark you should check out, the aptly named Big Tree. It is indeed a … big tree, measuring 17 metres around and over 60 high, making it a perfect example of how impressive Tasmania’s ancient rainforest can be.

 

Stanley’s Nut

Near the western end of Tasmania’s north coast, you’ll find TheNut or Stanley’s Nut. It’s a name that immediately raises questions but also follows the great Australian tradition of overly-simple names for things. Anyway, the Nut is a large, steep bluff that sits above the small coastal town of Stanley, and really seems to come out of nowhere.

From the town, you can either hike or take the chairlift up to the top of the Nut for views out to Bass Strait, weather permitting. Behind the bluff you’ll find a pristine, wide-open beach that was absolutely deserted when we stopped through. Besides the “Nut”, Stanley is also full of colonial houses and the kind of chill atmosphere you can only get by the sea. It’s one of the more charming towns in north west Tasmania and makes for a great lunch stop if you’re out exploring.

 

Town of Sheffield

Throughout north west Tasmania you’ll find tons of rural towns, but I can’t say any are quite like the town of Sheffield. Over 100 murals and counting adorn the sides of buildings and walls around Sheffield, earning it the nickname “Town of Murals“. Many towns in the area have their own special quirk – a neighbouring town has all sorts of topiary decorating its streets – but for Sheffield, that quirk is murals.

The idea for Sheffield’s murals came about in 1985 as a renewal project, copying a Canadian town that had done something similar to revitalise its economy. Murals here cover all sorts of themes, from promoting local businesses to supporting organisations like the police and ANZAC soldiers. They also have a park with the winning murals from the town’s annual contest which you shouldn’t miss.

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Related: Sheffield, the Town of Murals in Tasmania

 

Mount Roland

Cradle Mountain may be the most famous mountain in this part of Tasmania, but there’s a different mountain that to me defines the region’s landscape. Mount Roland is located just south of Sheffield and always seems to be on the horizon wen you’re travelling in north west Tasmania. You even pass it on the route to Cradle Mountain.

Besides being an imposing mountain on the roadside, Mount Roland is home to a challenging hike that I’m proud to say I’ve done. It takes quite a while to get up this bluff, even on the easier tracks, but the views from the top are phenomenal. If you want to see north west Tasmania from above, this is as close as you’ll get with two feet on the ground.

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Related: Finally Hiking Mount Roland in Tasmania

 

Montezuma Falls

Tasmania is home to so many waterfalls it’s a little ridiculous and even the north west region has too many to mention here. But Montezuma Falls is no ordinary waterfall and it remains among the most impressive I’ve seen in the state.

That’s not just because it’s one of Tasmania’s highest waterfalls at 104 metres and that you really can see the whole drop. No, it’s because to get there you follow a forest track that was once a tramway used by miners that takes you through some pristine rainforest to get there.

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Related: How to Visit Montezuma Falls in Tasmania

 

Leven Canyon

If you enjoy epic panoramas of nature and don’t mind a few stairs, then head to Leven Canyon. Found inland of Ulverstone, it’s home to two lookouts that overlook a steep canyon with the Leven River flowing through it. As the viewpoints rest over a bend in the river, you’re treated to a superb but precarious view down and along this rocky gorge with no signs of civilization anywhere near by.

While the trail from the Leven Canyon Picnic Area to each lookout is quite gentle, getting between them requires taking a stairway of 697 steps. If you’d prefer to go down the stairs, take the right path to Cruickshanks Lookout first. You’ll thank me, but maybe your knees won’t!

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Related: A Nature Walk With a View at Leven Canyon, Tasmania

 

Hawley Beach

To be honest, when I used to think of Australia’s best beaches I never really thought of Tasmania. Queensland and Western Australia tend to dominate that conversation, and summer in Tasmania can be a bit hit or miss, so beaches aren’t front of mind for visitors. I’ve learned my lesson though, as places like Hawley Beach just east of Devonport have opened my eyes.

A small, sheltered beach, Hawley Beach is best known for the rusty rocks that cover one section of the beach. Think the Bay of Fires, but smaller. What’s nice about Hawley Beach though is how quiet it is, even with good weather in summer. It’s just a very chilled out option that’s also easily accessible, a combination that’s often hard to find in Australia.

 

Warrawee

One of my favourite walks near Devonport is the riverside trail at Warrawee Forest Reserve outside Latrobe. While Warrawee is best known for its mountain bike tracks, visitors can also walk the main trail to enjoy its gentle river scenery.

Warrawee can also be a good place to spot wildlife. Pademelons – think a very small and squat version of a kangaroo – can be spotted along the trail. I was even lucky enough to see a platypus here up by the bridge – the first time I’ve seen one in the wild.

 

Trowutta Arch

Tasmania is home to several caves, Gunns Plains Caves and Mole Creek Caves, that both really should be on this list. But I’ve yet to actually visit either of these places, for various reasons. But one cave I have been to is the open-air cave at Trowutta Arch. Located a fair way out west in the Tarkine region, the arch is actually the former entrance to a cave. With a backdrop of towering ferns and some vibrant green ponds, it’s an unusual attraction, but one worth stopping at if you’re out this far already.

 

Boat Harbour Beach

Ask a local to recommend a beach in north west Tasmania and there’s a high chance they say Boat Harbour Beach. Situated west of Table Cape and Wynyard, it’s a long and deep beach backed by lawns, pine trees and hills. It has the feel of so many beaches in Victoria and New South Wales, but with a lightness to the water that they often don’t have. The setting, combined with its sheltered and shallow water, make Boat Harbour Beach an easy pick for one of the best beaches in northern Tasmania.

 

Guide Falls

Many waterfalls in Tasmania are quite remote and require a decent walk to reach. That’s not a problem with Guide Falls, a waterfall near Burnie. You can drive right up to the viewpoint above this scenic waterfall and look down to it, or go for a short walk down into its valley to a small path below the falls. There’s really not much more to this waterfall than its viewpoints and a nice riverside trail, but they’re more than enough reason to come.

 

Edge of the World

With a name like the Edge of the World, how can you not visit this place? Situated out on Tasmania’s west coast, this spot looks out over uninterrupted ocean that goes all the way to South America. You’ll find very little of civilization out here, just a boardwalk, a plaque and a small information point. What you will find is rocks, waves, driftwood and solitude. Edge of the World may sound like an exaggeration but standing out on those rocks it feels almost believable. 

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Related: Taking a Trip to the Edge of the World in Tasmania

 

Preston Falls

Okay, one last waterfall I promise. Preston Falls is a plunge waterfall near Gunns Plains that’s accessible along a short trail off a minor country road. Views of Preston Falls are only accessible from the cliffs alongside the waterfall, so unfortunately you don’t get to admire it from below. You do also get some nice views over the forest below from the lookout here.

 

Fern Glade Reserve

A common fixture of Tasmania’s primeval rainforests are their beautiful ferns, and where better to see them than a place named Fern Glade Reserve. This small reserve sits on Emu River outside the town of Burnie and features pristine forest reflected in the still surface of the river. Here you can see a wealth of ferns dotting the trails and riverbanks, many even taller than you.

Apparently the river has been known as a habitat for local platypus. Unfortunately, due to heavy flooding in recent years it’s uncertain if there are any left in the area. We didn’t see any about, but platypus aren’t exactly the easiest to spot in the wild anyway. Even if you miss out on wildlife spotting, Fern Glade Reserve is great for a gentle walk or picnic.

 

Town of Penguin

For a little whimsy in your day it’s hard to go wrong with the town of Penguin. A small beach town between Ulverstone and Burnie, I’ll give you one guess what Penguin is known for. Yep, during their summer breeding season Little Penguins can be spotted along the town’s coast. The penguin colonies actually live off the coast on islands and come ashore at night to lay their eggs. So if you want to see penguins, timing is everything.

But if you can’t see a real life critter, then Penguin has the next best thing for you. All around town you’ll find penguin-themed decorations, including a 3-metre-tall penguin statue. While some of the street art is neat, my favourite little touch is how they’ve turned street bollards into penguins. There’s also a signpost pointing out the distance to other towns and places named after birds around the world.

 

West Point State Reserve

Continuing the trend of this region’s empty beaches and coastline we have West Point State Reserve. Not far from the Edge of the World on the island’s west coast, West Point is a real gem thanks to its orange, rocky coast. Yes, here you’ll see more of the bright orange algae that Tasmania is known for.

With beaches and walking trails to explore, and not another soul in sight, the reserve is both beautiful and peaceful. The only draw back is that it’s quite a drive from the nearest town. But if proves that Tasmania at its best in these wild, remote places.

 

Table Cape

There’s pretty much two reasons to visit Table Cape on the Cradle Coast and I’ve only seen one of them. Table Cape is home to a lighthouse with a nice clifftop trail to the views from Table Cape Lookout. It’s a nice area of coast and a fairly easy walk to do if you’re in the area.

But the main draw for Table Cape is the Table Cape Tulip Farm, which is said to be extremely popular when the tulips here bloom. For that, you’ll need to visit in late September to early October, which I haven’t. By all accounts, it’s a visual spectacle if you do get your timing right.

 

Fossil Bluff

Fossil Bluff is a great example of how diverse north west Tasmania can be. Rather than pristine sand or bright orange rocks, this beach outside Wynyard is home to some curious cliffs. Yes, the views from Fossil Bluff Lookout are nice, but the real draw here is the view of the cliffs from down below.

In the cliffs you can see the various layers of rock that have formed over millions of years, almost like the rings of a tree. A walk on the beach is also quite fun thanks to all the fragments of cliffs that have broken away due to erosion. It may not be the most visually stunning spot, but there’s no doubt it’s different.

 

Mt Round Lookout

Mount Roland may loom large over the region south of Devonport, but it requires a long hike to summit it. But that’s not the case for nearby Round Mountain which sits at the western end of Mount Roland’s epic ridge line. The Mt Round Lookout couldn’t be easier to reach with a side-road off the main road to Cradle Mountain taking you right there.

A 5-minute walk later and you’re enjoying phenomenal views over the forest that covers this undulating landscape. From here you can also start on the Mount Claude Lookout Track, which later bleeds into the trails going up Mount Roland. Whether you’re looking for a stunning panorama or simply a scenic rest stop, this lookout is worth it.

 

Nearby Places to Visit in the Central Highlands

The Central Highlands is the alpine region at the core of Tasmania that borders the state’s northwest region. There you’ll find all sorts of remote mountains and lakes, with very little permanent human presence. That should be your hint that it’s a fantastic region to explore, especially if you like hiking and nature.

Because we’re talking about arbitrary regions, there’s plenty of overlap between the northwest of Tasmania and the Central Highlands. Cradle Mountain is the most obvious example of an attraction that belongs to both regions.

But you don’t have to look too far from Cradle Mountain for other great places to visit. On the far side of its national park lies Lake St Clair, a great alternative for hiking without the crowds. As for somewhere really different, I think Devil’s Gullet State Reserve is wildly underrated with its crumbling cliffs and rock formations.

 

Nearby Places to Visit in North East Tasmania

So if there’s this much to see in the northwest region of Tasmania, what about the northeast? Stretching from Deloraine to the east coast, this region is also loaded with places you can explore. Launceston is your entry point to the area and the Bay of Fires is probably the region’s most famous attraction. But you don’t have to look far for more options.

The Tamar Valley is a great example, as it combines wineries, several beaches, and is a short drive from the wildlife of Narawntapu National Park. You can also find some great waterfalls here, from Liffey Falls to Halls Falls and St Columba Falls. There are even the mountains at Ben Lomond National Park, highlighting how diverse this region is also.

 

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Have you ever visited north west Tasmania and seen any of these sights? If not, to which of these sights would you most like to travel? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.