Holiday houses in Arthur River

On the northwest tip of Tasmania, Arthur River is a natural haven full of dense rainforest, rocky coastline, and the kind of edge-of-the-world ruggedness you come to expect from Australia’s biggest island. This remote town got its name from the local river, which meets the crashing waves on the coast before eventually flowing into the expansive Southern and Indian Oceans. The surrounding Tarkine Forest Reserve is one of Australia’s few remaining temperate rainforests, and it is also where you can take guided bush walks to spot wallabies and wombats in their natural habitat.

The area is also home to more than 100 bird species and several endemic birds like the swift parrot and the orange-bellied parrot. To enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of your car, take the epic Tarkine Drive along the northwestern coast of Tasmania as it passes stands of old eucalyptus and myrtle trees and all manner of wildlife, including the island’s iconic marsupial, the Tasmanian Devil.

Arthur River has mild weather year-round, and it never reaches cold or hot extremes. You may encounter a little humidity or wind depending on the season, but you can comfortably visit any month of the year. Summer has the warmest weather, ideal for taking an Arthur River Cruise, or you can take a break from the hot days by exploring one of Arthur River’s wilderness areas with tall trees that provide plenty of shade. In autumn, temperatures cool off after sunset and offer a welcome reprieve after a day of outdoor activities. Wintertime is brisk but comfortable, so bring layered clothing, and don’t shy away from the outdoors. And thanks to the area’s diverse landscapes, you can treat yourself to either waterfront or countryside Arthur River accommodations in Tasmania.

Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area

More than 40,000 hectares of preserved forest grounds fill the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. A series of bumpy, sandy roads will lead you to the Sandy Cape Beach, an empty expanse of white sand and ocean water. Windy conditions in this area can create sizable sand dunes along the shore, with specs of green poking through. You can set up at a nearby campsite for an overnight stargazing experience as well.

Edge of the World Lookout

Also known as Gardiner’s Point, the Edge of the World lookout is the perfect place for an unforgettable picnic. First, you can walk down the boardwalk and look out into the great expanse of ocean where the Arthur River flows into the Southern and Indian Oceans. Then head up to the Edge of the World lookout platform for a panoramic view of the rocky beach and crashing waves ahead. It’s windy here, so find the covered gazebo area at the lookout point to set up your picnic with a view.

Tarkine Drive

Perhaps the best way to get a well-rounded experience of northwest Tasmania is through the epic Tarkine Drive. The 3.5-hour drive covers 205 kilometres of wilderness with opportunities to stop and explore along the way. The looped highway is surrounded by various shades of green vegetation bursting from the edges of the road. The Sundown Point Reserve is a significant Aboriginal site worth stopping at on your journey. You can access this area by walking along the coast until you reach rocky headlands carved with Aboriginal petroglyphs.