Must Do: This Epic Tassie Road Trip Will Take You To ‘The Edge Of The World’
Travel
We joined photographer Sean Fennessy for a road trip across Tasmania’s north west.
Sean heads out for a kayaking tour with Cradle Mountain Canyons.
The kayaks are all handcrafted by tourism operator Anthony O’Hern, using a rare native timber called King Billy pine.
Learn about the area’s cultural and environmental history on the tour.
Cradle Mountain Lodge is nestled just outside Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park.
The beautiful Knyvet Falls are just a short walk from the accommodation.
There are endless hikes and walking trails to explore in the area.
‘North-west Tassie is where I grew up, so there will always be a personal connection,’ photographer Sean Fennessy says.
‘But each time I return, I’m reminded that its appeal runs deeper than nostalgia, especially once you get off the beaten track. There are ancient rainforests, epic beaches, and that rare indulgence of true isolation.’
Before moving to Hobart for university, and then to Melbourne to pursue his photography career in 2008, Sean spent his formative years in Devonport, located about a 3.5-hour drive from Tasmania’s capital.
The port city is also where the Spirit of Tasmania ferry docks, making it the perfect launch pad for a road trip across Tasmania’s north west — because Sean says a long drive is the best way to experience the region’s rugged beauty up close.
Find our tried and tested itinerary below, with all the hidden gems you should explore along the way.
CRADLE MOUNTAIN
You can either fly into Devonport, drive from Hobart, or, if you’re coming from Melbourne, you can catch the ferry from Geelong. This is Sean’s preferred mode of transport, as it means he can bring his own car along for the ride. From there, it’s about a 90-minute drive to our first destination: Cradle Mountain.
Located in the depths of the UNESCO Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a true bucket-list location filled with hiking trails, endemic wildlife, and magnificent vistas.
Do a kayak tour with Cradle Mountain Canyons
Due to the area’s strict environmental protections, only one company is permitted to operate kayak tours on the glacial waters of Dove Lake.
Impressively, Cradle Mountain Canyons uses timber kayaks handcrafted by adventure tour operator Anthony O’Hern, despite having no prior boat-building experience.
The kayaks are all made from King Billy pine, a rare ancient Tasmanian timber that grows on the shores of Dove Lake. However, since these trees are a protected species (now illegal to cut down) Anthony sourced the timber from an old stockpile of salvaged felled trees. This deep connection to the landscape makes exploring the lake with Anthony as your guide an unmissable experience.
‘I’d heard about the King Billy pine kayaks that Anthony built by hand, so I was excited to see them in action,’ Sean says. ‘It’s the only way to get onto the water on Dove Lake — which gives you a completely different perspective on Cradle Mountain!’
Book a morning adrift on Dove Lake here.
Indulge in some R&R at Cradle Mountain Sauna
Rain, hail, shine (or even snow!), you can warm up while also enjoying views of the wilderness in a session at Cradle Mountain Sauna. The five-person sauna directly overlooks verdant greenery, making it an ideal winter activity and a chance to unwind amid the drive.
Book a sauna in the snow at Cradle Mountain here.
Stay at Cradle Mountain Lodge
When the setting is this spectacular, you want to enjoy it from sunrise to sunset, and the best way to do that is by booking a cabin at the picturesque Cradle Mountain Lodge. The accommodation features a mix of cabins and suites, giving you a secluded stay immersed in bushland near Pencil Pine Creek, and there’s even a restaurant and a spa on site too.
Book a winter wildlife and wellness escape at Cradle Mountain Lodge here.
Corinna is a magical, remote spot on the edge of the Pieman River.
Sean transports his car across the river via Fatman Barge.
With no reception in the area, Sean says this is the perfect place to unplug from your usual life.
The pristine beauty of the Pieman River.
CORINNA
Next up, Sean suggests continuing your road trip to Tasmania’s rugged west coast with about a two-hour drive south to Corinna. Nestled on the edge of the remote Takayna / Tarkine rainforest, this eco-village includes accommodation, river cruising, a restaurant, and without Wi-Fi or phone service, it’s the ultimate place to unplug.
‘The cool-climate rainforest around Corinna and the Pieman River feels so prehistoric,’ he says.
‘It’s completely magical. There are a few ways to get there from Cradle Mountain, but the most scenic involves the river crossing on the Fatman Barge, which is a bit of fun. Just make sure you arrive in daylight hours.’
Sean says one of his favourite things to do in Tasmania’s north west is drive along the ‘Road To Nowhere’.
Discover historic towns and rugged coastlines on the journey.
Sean shows us the scenic route.
Make a stop at the ‘Edge Of The World’ lookout on Arthur River.
ARTHUR RIVER
Drive along the ‘Road To Nowhere’ and stop at ‘The Edge Of The World’
There’s a reason the Western Explorer Highway is known as the ‘Road to Nowhere’. Stretching 120 kilometres of mostly unsealed, rugged road, it connects Corinna to the coastal town of Marrawah in the north west. And for Sean, it’s exactly what makes the region so unique.
‘We drove 100 kilometres without seeing another car — but that’s exactly the appeal. The landscape shifts constantly along the way: from rainforest to buttongrass plains, rivers and mountain ranges, before opening out onto the windswept coastline,’ he says.
‘There’s plenty of serious 4WD trails along the way too, if you’re feeling adventurous.’
Another highlight is the epic lookout on Arthur River, aptly dubbed ‘The Edge Of The World’. A small plaque marks the desolate spot where the incredibly vast expanse of the Indian Ocean meets the coastline.
‘The “Roaring Forties” blow across the Southern Ocean and into Arthur River, bringing the cleanest air on Earth with them — there’s nothing between here and Argentina,’ Sean says.
Taste the award-winning Tarkine Fresh Oysters
Less than an hour from Arthur River, in a town called Smithton, Sean suggests stopping at Tarkine Fresh Oysters. These grow in cool tidal conditions that produce a sweeter, less briny taste, and are shucked fresh daily.
‘Grab some to take away and find a spot along the coast to demolish them,’ Sean says. They even have a special offering this winter for ‘hot shells and spicy sips’!
The Nut is a massive 143-metre-high volcanic rock formation rising above the historic fishing village of Stanley.
Stanley is known for its colourful houses nestled into the coastal landscape.
The area is known for its excellent seafood.
Sean enjoys some Tarkine Fresh Oysters on the pier.
The Ship Inn is a century-old retreat in Stanley. Photo – Courtesy of The Ship Inn
STANLEY
Make the short drive to Stanley, a ‘storybook fishing town’ dominated by The Nut, a 143m-high flat-topped headland that you can climb, or ascend in a chairlift, to enjoy the views. It’s also famous for spotting little penguins that return to their burrows at dusk!
Stay at The Ship Inn
The town itself is a little reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, complete with colourful heritage houses, and The Ship Inn is an especially charming place to stay the night. The century-old, yellow building has been reimagined into a historic retreat, complete with glorious gardens.
For dinner, Sean recommends heading over to the Stanley Hotel for some ‘great seafood’, including abalone.
Continue your drive to stay at The Winged House in Table Cape.
The architectural masterpiece was built in 2008.
The luxurious home can sleep up to six guests.
TABLE CAPE
For your last stop, head another 55 kilometres (about 45 minutes) along the coast to reach Table Cape. Here, you can stroll the cliff-top walk to the lighthouse and enjoy views out as far as The Nut back in Stanley. Spring is an especially great time to visit too, as you can watch for whales during their migration season and appreciate the area’s abundant, colourful tulips in full bloom!
Book a stay at The Winged House
For architecture and design fans, you can’t pass up a stay at one of Tasmania’s most famous homes, The Winged House by architect Richard Goodwin. Even 18 years after it was first built, the two-bedroom home, cantilevered over a cliff, has stood the test of time.
Find out more about The Winged House here.
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