West Coast of Tasmania

Population: 4,950

Covering 9,574 square kilometres, and served by the west coast council, the west coast is the gateway to Tasmania’s wilderness. The main coastal town is Strahan, situated on Macquarie Harbour. The inland population centres of Queenstown, Zeehan, Tullah and Rosebery are close to magnificent lakes, rivers, rainforests, dunes and historic sites.

The west coast of Tasmania is celebrated for its tourism, mining and fishing. The clean air, mild climate and strong commitment to community make the west coast a definite choice for a sea change or tree change.

Population: 700

Strahan, on the shore of Macquarie Harbour, is approximately 290 kilometres north-west of Hobart and 270 kilometres south-west of Launceston. In addition to its tourism industry Strahan is a fishing town, serving as an anchorage for crayfish, abalone and shark fishing fleets.

Strahan is the west coast gateway to the Tasmanian wilderness.
© Tourism Tasmania and George Apostolidis

Strahan’s appeal lies in the natural and historical attractions around it rather than in the town itself, which has been developed with tourism in mind.

(See distances by road chart.)

Population: 3,400

Queenstown is 500 metres above sea level. Mt Owen is to the east and Mt Lyell to the north. Copper mining started here over 100 years ago and continues today. Planting by the mining company and natural regrowth of vegetation is changing the look of the extensive open-cut operations. Rainforests thrive in the Queenstown area and, if you relocate from one of Australia’s drought regions, you will no longer have to worry about water shortages. Rainfall is three metres a year!

Queenstown Post Office. Mining created the towns on the west coast of Tasmania and mining is booming once again.

Queenstown is a popular tourist destination for its pioneer village atmosphere and rich social and industrial history. The West Coast Wilderness Railway is a major attraction. Lake Burberry and many other smaller lakes around Queenstown offer excellent fishing opportunities.

(See distances by road chart.)

Population: 1,120

Located 286 kilometres north-west of Hobart and 172 metres above sea level, Zeehan is a classic mining town.

Zeehan is benefitting from two mining operations that have started in the area. bluestone tin is to process ore from the nearby Renison Bell tin mine in Zeehan, and allegiance mining has a major nickel exploration, mining and processing operation to the west of Zeehan.

(See distances by road chart.)

Population: 1,600

Rosebery is a mining town nestled 145 metres above sea level in the hills of western Tasmania. It is 300 kilometres north-west of Hobart and 200 kilometres south-west of Launceston. The locals, we are told, are very proud of the fact that they have the highest numbered postcode in Australia – 7470.

Rosebery is a single purpose town which is clearly indicated by the zinifex zinc mine which dominates both the town and the local economy.

South of Rosebery is Montezuma Falls, Tasmania’s tallest waterfall at 104 metres.

Population: 270

Lake Rosebery, Tullah. Tourists come to fish in the lakes of west coast Tasmania.
© Tourism Tasmania and Joe Shemesh

The former mining town of Tullah is in the lakes district of Tasmania’s west coast. The lakes were formed after damming for hydro-electric schemes and are now stocked with brown and rainbow trout, eagerly sought by fly fishing enthusiasts.

Tullah is on the shores of Lake Rosebery, surrounded by forests and mountains and close to the Southwest Conservation Area of Tasmania.