Western Wilds, Tasmania’s next iconic drive

Cradle Coast Authority

The name of Tasmania’s next iconic drive has today been revealed, with the Western Wilds now set to forge its place as a must-do Tasmanian attraction.

The Western Wilds will be a unique drive experience that will encourage visitors to explore and experience the wilderness of Western Tasmania.

It will add to the success of the Great Eastern Drive, which has seen a 20 per cent increase in visitors to Tasmania’s East Coast since its development.

The Western Wilds Project is the result of our Government’s Tasmanian Journeys Project, which included a $500,000 commitment to the project.

The work has been led by the Tourism Industry Council in partnership with Destination Southern Tasmania and the Cradle Coast Authority.

This week, a travelling roadshow will kick off in New Norfolk, before heading to Queenstown, Strahan and Cradle Mountain, where industry will be invited to engage in the next steps.

Following the roadshow, the Western Journeys Working Party will begin to identify experiences along the Western Wilds called “story stops” where visitors can stop, experience and share their story.

Local businesses will also be encouraged to tell their stories under the Western Wilds banner.

Work will also now commence on the overarching plan for signage along the route, including design, building and installation.

It is anticipated that the Western Wilds will be ready to launch in the final quarter of 2018.

The Western Wilds is the second in a series of five Journeys that the Tasmanian Government will deliver.

We have committed an additional $1.4 million over three years to deliver three other new journeys, including a Northern Journey, a Southern Journey, and a North-West Journey, to build on the Cradle Coast Tasting Trail.

We want every region to share in the benefits that an iconic drive journey can bring, such as encouraging visitors to stay longer, see more of our state and spend more.

*by Jeremy Rockliff, Acting Minister for Tourism