Things to Do in West Tasmania: Mountains, Lakes & Waterfalls

On By saar.decosterIn Australia

If you’re looking for the best things to do in West Tasmania, you’re heading towards one of the wildest and most beautiful parts of the island. Western Tasmania is known for dramatic mountains, ancient rainforests, remote lakes, waterfalls and some of the best hiking in Tasmania.

While many travellers focus their Tasmania road trip on Hobart, the East Coast and the beaches, West Tasmania feels completely different. It is much more remote, rugged and focused on nature.

From hiking around Cradle Mountain to exploring Lake St Clair and walking through rainforest to Montezuma Falls, there are plenty of incredible places to visit in West Tasmania.

Planning a bigger adventure? Check out my Full Tasmania Travel Guide for all regions, road trip ideas, itineraries and practical tips for exploring Tasmania.

Best Things to Do in West Tasmania

1. Explore Cradle Mountain

If you’re visiting West Tasmania, Cradle Mountain should be high on your list.

Located within the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, this is one of the most iconic places to visit in Tasmania. The area is known for dramatic mountain peaks, alpine landscapes, peaceful lakes and some of the best hiking trails in Tasmania.

There are walks for different fitness levels, from shorter scenic walks to much more challenging hikes and multi-day adventures.

One of the things I loved most about Cradle Mountain is that the landscape constantly changes as you walk. One minute you’re surrounded by forest, and the next you have huge mountain views in front of you.

The area is also great for wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for:

  • Wombats
  • Wallabies
  • Echidnas
  • Native birds

For many travellers, Cradle Mountain is one of the highlights of a Tasmania road trip, and I definitely understand why.

If you only have limited time in West Tasmania, I would prioritise Cradle Mountain.

2. Visit Lake St Clair

Lake St Clair is one of the most beautiful places to visit in West Tasmania and the deepest natural lake in Australia.

Located at the southern end of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, the lake is surrounded by mountains, forests and huge stretches of untouched wilderness.

It’s a much quieter experience than some of Tasmania’s more famous attractions, which is exactly what makes it so special.

Things to do around Lake St Clair include:

  • Scenic walks
  • Boat trips
  • Wildlife spotting
  • Hiking
  • Enjoying the views
  • Exploring the surrounding wilderness

Lake St Clair is also the southern end of the famous Overland Track, one of Australia’s best-known multi-day hikes connecting Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair.

Even if you’re not doing the entire Overland Track, visiting Lake St Clair is worth adding to your West Tasmania itinerary.

3. Discover Lake Gordon

If you’re looking for somewhere that feels properly remote, Lake Gordon is a completely different experience.

Located deep in Tasmania’s southwest wilderness, Lake Gordon is a huge reservoir surrounded by mountains, forests and incredibly remote landscapes.

It isn’t necessarily the easiest place to squeeze into a short Tasmania itinerary. The drive is long, and this is definitely more of a destination for people who enjoy road trips and getting far away from the crowds.

But that’s also the appeal.

If you love dramatic landscapes, long scenic drives and places that don’t feel overly touristy, Lake Gordon is one of the more unusual places to visit in West Tasmania.

Lake Gordon in Tasmania with calm water and mountain surroundings.

4. Hike to Montezuma Falls

If you’re looking for waterfalls in West Tasmania, Montezuma Falls is one of the best ones to add to your itinerary.

Montezuma Falls is Tasmania’s tallest waterfall, and getting there is part of the experience.

The trail takes you through lush rainforest, moss-covered trees and old mining landscapes. It feels completely different from the alpine scenery around Cradle Mountain.

The walk is longer than some of the quick waterfall stops you might come across on a Tasmania road trip, but that’s exactly why I think it’s worth doing.

You get the rainforest, the walking trail and then the waterfall at the end.

There’s also a suspension bridge along the walk, which makes the experience even more memorable.

Walking trail leading through lush rainforest at Montezuma Falls in Tasmania, with a wooden suspension bridge over a river.
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How Long Do You Need in West Tasmania?

I’d recommend spending around 3–5 days in West Tasmania, depending on how much hiking and exploring you want to do.

For a shorter trip, you could focus on the highlights. If you love hiking and nature, though, you could easily spend a week exploring the region without getting bored.

A possible West Tasmania itinerary could look like:

Day 1: Cradle Mountain
Day 2: More hikes and walks around Cradle Mountain
Day 3: Lake St Clair
Day 4: Montezuma Falls or another rainforest and waterfall stop
Day 5: Lake Gordon or another remote area, depending on your route

Of course, your exact itinerary will depend on where you’re coming from and where you’re heading next.

If you’re doing a bigger Tasmania road trip, I’d also recommend checking my Full Tasmania Travel Guide to see how West Tasmania fits into the rest of the island.

The best time to visit West Tasmania depends on what you want to do, but summer from December to February is generally the easiest time for hiking and outdoor activities.

That said, Tasmania’s weather can be unpredictable.

Even in summer, conditions can change quickly, particularly around Cradle Mountain and other alpine areas. Bring layers and always be prepared for colder, wetter weather than you expected.

Summer

Summer generally gives you the most comfortable conditions for hiking and exploring, but it is also a popular time to visit.

Autumn

Autumn can be beautiful, with changing colours and fewer visitors than during the peak summer period.

Winter

Winter can bring much colder conditions and snow around higher elevations. This can be beautiful, but you’ll need to be properly prepared for winter hiking.

Spring

Spring brings changing weather and beautiful landscapes, although rain and colder temperatures are still possible.

Whatever season you choose, don’t assume that Tasmania’s weather will behave just because the forecast looked good in the morning.

Getting Around West Tasmania

Having a car makes exploring West Tasmania much easier.

This part of Tasmania is remote, and many of the best places to visit aren’t connected by convenient public transport.

If you’re doing a Tasmania road trip, this is one of the regions where having your own car gives you much more freedom.

It also means you can stop at viewpoints, small towns, walks and random places along the way instead of having to stick to a fixed schedule.

For a longer trip around Tasmania, I’d definitely recommend planning your route around driving times rather than assuming everything is close together.

Is West Tasmania Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

If you love mountains, hiking, waterfalls, forests and remote landscapes, West Tasmania is probably one of the best parts of the island for you.

It’s not necessarily the place I’d recommend if you’re looking for beaches, nightlife or lots of restaurants and cafés.

But if you want to experience the wild side of Tasmania, this is where I’d go.

Cradle Mountain alone is worth the trip, but adding Lake St Clair, Montezuma Falls and some of the more remote landscapes makes the whole region feel like a proper adventure.

Final Thoughts on West Tasmania

West Tasmania shows a completely different side of Tasmania.

It’s wild, remote and incredibly beautiful, with dramatic mountains, ancient forests, peaceful lakes and some seriously impressive hiking trails.

My biggest tip is don’t rush this part of Tasmania.

If you have the time, give yourself several days rather than trying to squeeze everything into one or two.

From the iconic landscapes of Cradle Mountain to the peaceful wilderness around Lake St Clair and the rainforest surrounding Montezuma Falls, there are so many reasons to add West Tasmania to your road trip.

And if you’re planning a bigger trip around the island, continue with my Full Tasmania Travel Guide for more regions, itineraries and practical Tasmania travel tips.

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FAQ

What are the best things to do in West Tasmania?

The best things to do in West Tasmania include hiking around Cradle Mountain, visiting Lake St Clair, exploring Lake Gordon, and walking through the rainforest to Montezuma Falls.

How many days do you need in West Tasmania?

I recommend spending 3 to 5 days in West Tasmania to experience the region’s main highlights without rushing.

Is West Tasmania worth visiting?

Yes, West Tasmania is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you love hiking, wildlife, mountains, and untouched nature. It offers some of Tasmania’s most dramatic landscapes.

What is the best time to visit West Tasmania?

The best time to visit West Tasmania is during summer, when the weather is generally more suitable for hiking and outdoor activities. However, always prepare for changing weather conditions.

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