Tasmania’s north-west is the island at double concentration: alpine plateau, myrtle rainforest, dairy coast and surf beaches, all within a loop you can drive in a weekend from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal. The Cradle to Coast Loop links Devonport, the Leven Canyon, Cradle Mountain and the Bass Strait coast in roughly 320 unhurried kilometres.
The route
From Devonport, head inland through Sheffield — the "town of murals" — and climb to Cradle Mountain for the Dove Lake circuit (two hours, arguably Australia’s best short walk). Continue west via Moina to Leven Canyon, where a ten-minute walk ends at a 275m-deep gorge lookout most visitors to Tasmania never hear about. Descend to the coast at Penguin — yes, real penguins at dusk in season — and return along the old coast road through Ulverstone.
Why it beats the east coast in summer
While Freycinet’s car parks overflow, the north-west stays workable. Accommodation is cheaper, cafes are run by owners, and the light over Bass Strait does things photographers cross oceans for.
Key stops
- Sheffield murals — an open-air gallery of a town.
- Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain — go at dawn; park shuttle rules apply in peak season.
- Leven Canyon — the lookout, then Preston Falls ten minutes on.
- Penguin to Ulverstone coast road — the slow, pretty alternative to the highway.
Practical notes
Allow two days minimum, three with walks. Alpine weather changes fast — carry layers even in January. Fuel up in Devonport or Ulverstone; options thin out inland. More island ideas in our Tasmania directory, including Little Blue Lake in the north-east.
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