Taking a Trip to the Edge of the World in Tasmania

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The island state of Tasmania has a bit of thing with sensational names. Look at a map of the Australian island and you’ll see Nowhere Else just down the road from Promised Land. But one place in Tasmania with a bit more meaning behind its name is the Edge of the World nature reserve.

No it’s not a home for the Flat Earth Society. This coastal spot in Northwest Tasmania is one of the westernmost parts of the state. From it, you have unending views across the ocean and with few signs of humanity nearby, the title of Edge of the World feels appropriate. Together with the West Point State Reserve nearby, the Edge of the World showcases the wild, rugged beauty of Tasmania. Both are sure to leave their mark on you, so this is what a day trip to the Edge of the World in Tasmania is like.

Where is the Edge of the World?

Before you can have any hope of seeing the Edge of the World with your own eyes, you first need to know where it is.  The nature reserve is just to the south of the mouth of the Arthur River, in quite an isolated part of the state, the wild West Coast. It’s so remote that the tiny seaside community of Arthur River is what passes for civilization here.

Located out on a point just outside Arthur River stands the plaque you see above. Despite its remote nature, you only need drive over a short stretch of gravel road to reach the point. While it’s known as the Edge of the World now, the area is actually called Gardiners Point. Yep, I prefer the new name too.

Reaching the Edge of the World

True to its name, you won’t find too much in the way of human landmarks when you arrive at the Edge of the World. What you will find is a boardwalk that winds its way to a lookout and to the very point. Stepping out onto the boardwalk, all you should hear the waves crashing, the wind blowing and footsteps across the wooden beams.

Up at the lookout, you’re provided information about the nature and indigenous heritage of the reserve. It’s also from here that you can fully admire the vibrant scenery all around you. Tasmania is known for its coastal rocks covered in flaming orange lichen and you’ll find them here too.

When we there, the small beaches down among the rocks were littered with driftwood. Where it came from or how long it took to get across the Great Southern Ocean is anyone’s guess.

Perhaps the most significant landmark here is the plaque and its inscription by Tasmanian local Brian Inder. It reads:

“I cast my pebble onto the shore of Eternity.
To be washed by the Ocean of time. It has shape, form, and substance .It is me.
One day I will be no more. But my pebble will remain here.
On the shore of eternity.
Mute witness from the aeons.
That today I came and stood At the edge of the world.”

Continuing on to West Point State Reserve

Although it may have a much less dramatic name, I highly recommend a side trip to West Point State Reserve while you’re here. A short drive up the coast, this nature reserve is part of the western most reaches of Tasmania. But even though it’s close to the nature reserve at Arthur River, the experience of visiting West Point State Reserve is markedly different.

For starters, there was nobody around when we went. Sure it was a cloudy day, but it was still absolutely empty on summer day during school holidays. Only in Tasmania can you find places this incredible totally devoid of tourists.

The other standout feature of West Point State Reserve is the amount of lichen-covered rocks you find out there. Rather than a few red rocks here and there on the beach, there are huge orange-stained boulders everywhere here. Even when you walk away from the water and into the low scrub, you find giant rocks painted in orange. It’s just a great place to go for a walk with all this curious scenery about, not to mention the sprawling sandy beach nearby.

Visiting the Edge of the World

With a place called the Edge of the World, you’d expect it to be quite remote. It’s not quite the untouched wilds of southwest Tasmania, but its close. To reach it and West Point State Reserve, you’re first going to have to travel through the forest reserves around Tarkine National Park.

While gorgeous, it does mean that getting to this part of Tasmania for a day trip is a bit of a drive. Depending on which direction you’re coming from, the nearest tourist destination are Stanley and Strahan. It’s about a 4 hour drive from Strahan, but Stanley is much closer at only 1 hour 15 minutes.

While it is possible to take the A2 most of the way from Stanley or even Devonport, a more scenic approach is via Roger River and Couta Rocks. That way, you can see spots like the above view from the Kanunnah Bridge. Don’t miss your chance to see more of Tasmania’s pristine wilderness.

Have you heard of or visited the Edge of the World in Tasmania before? Do you enjoy visiting places like this with dramatic names? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.