Call of the Wild

TASMANIA’S WESTERN EXPLORER HIGHWAY TRACES THE WORLD-FAMOUS TARKINE WILDERNESS AREA. DEPART THIS ROAD AND YOU’LL ENTER THE WILDEST OF 4WD COUNTRY

- KEV SMITH

THE contrast of Tasmania’s West Coast to the rest of the island needs to be seen to be believed, where it’s often wet and cold but the perfect place to escape your comfort zone. The ‘Wild West’, as it’s regarded, is open to the westerly squalls off the open ocean, where the next piece of land is literally tens of thousands of miles away. But it’s out here where you can explore to your heart’s content in remote areas, track along some great touring trails, and explore the history and get lost in some of the most awe-inspiring scenery the island has to offer.

There’s plenty of debate on who actually discovered or sailed down along the West Coast, but it was in 1827 when a skilled bushman and surveyor by the name of Henry Hellyer trekked across the island and reached Arthur River, naming it after the governor at the time.

These days, a plaque on the coast declares this place as ‘the end of the world’ due to the prevailing, blustery and at times icy winds from the galeforce Roaring Forties. Arthur River is the western-most town on the island and, until 50-odd years ago, it was so isolated that no serviceable roads were connected and the only way in and out was by air, rail or the treacherous ocean.

ARTHUR RIVER