West Coast is one of Tasmania’s most popular travel destinations with everything that you require for the perfect family holiday. Gorgeous waterways, pristine forests and a wealth of family activities make it an ideal destination for a trip through Tasmania.

Family fun on the West Coast

Strahan sits on the shores of the Macquarie Harbour, which is six times bigger than Sydney Harbour! The town has a real charm, with its restored buildings in and around the wharf area, where the majority of shops and restaurants/cafes are located. It is a working fishing port and trying the delicious locally caught seafood is a must. West Strahan beach is a great picnic spot with safe beach, playground and amenities.

Whilst in town, you have to take a tour up the magnificent Gordon River or on the harbour. The Gordon River Cruises are the best way to see the World Heritage wilderness and Gordon River on the state-of-the-art vessel, “the Spirit of the Wild”. You can take a serene morning cruise from Strahan and take in the world-famous reflections off the River of the surrounding forests and mountains. You’ll pass by famous landmarks like Hells Gates, which is the entrance point to Macquarie Harbour from the Southern Ocean, and get the chance to explore Sarah Island as you pass through the famous wilderness region. Not just a sightseeing mission, the whole family can wind down with some ‘quiet cruising’, with electric motors allowing for a tranquil passage down the Gordon River.

Enjoy the fun of ‘The Ship that Never Was’, an amazing interactive, fun open air theatre production that takes you back in time. It’s one of the best things to do on the West Coast and provides great fun for children and adults. Operating in Strahan, the production company specialises in telling entertaining stories from the local region that shows off the unique local nature of Tasmania’s West Coast. ‘The Ship that Never Was’ tells one such true story of a great escape from Sarah Island that is filled with laughter and drama.

Zeehan is known as the Silver City of Tasmania’s West Coast, and is a must-stop destination along the coast. While in this town that is heavy on its mining past, stop by the West Coast Heritage Centre to learn more about the mining days and the history that has shaped Tasmania today. Thirteen galleries in the Centre show the area’s exotic mineral crystals, alongside some native flora and fauna. With the LetsGoKids voucher, kids can enter the centre free with a paying adult to explore this unique family activity on the West Coast.

Once the hub of the Tasmanian mining boom at the turn of the 20th century, Queenstown still remains the largest town on the West Coast and is home to the Wilderness Railway. They offer a range of trips on the old steam train through the neighbouring countryside and even over to the seaport of Strahan. It’s a trip with a difference too – the Wilderness Railway is an amazing way of seeing Tasmania’s World Heritage natural landscapes that’ll also provide plenty of entertainment for the kids.

When in town, check out the Galley Museum or do an underground mine tour. The nearby Spion Kopf lookout is an eight-minute walk and paves its way to an amazing sight over the town and the infamous gravel football oval! Swing by Montezuma Falls – a 10-minute drive out of Roseberry, which plays host to Tassie’s highest waterfall at 104 metres. It’s not just a great place to visit, it’s also in the midst of some fantastic Tasmanian wilderness begging to be explored. It’s an easy three-hour return walk (four kilometres one way) to see the spectacular falls – walk across the suspension bridge for some adrenaline pumping views.

If you need somewhere to stay, the Gateway to the Gordon is close to the town centre, and has awesome views of the scenic region. With a massive playground and trampoline, alongside a free breakfast basket upon arrival, it has everything a family needs while staying on Tasmania’s West Coast! Quote Kids21 upon arrival and kids stay free – but they’ll only have eyes on the free goodie bag they also receive with this deal! 

The beauty of Tasmania’s West Coast needs to be seen in person to be believed – take the family for a fantastic holiday to this stunning region now!