Tasmania’s spectacular West Coast is set to become Tasmania’s next iconic drive.
Developing and branding a unique drive experience to the West will be the first priority of a new Tasmanian Journeys Project which is designed to encourage more visitors to explore and stay in our regions.
Given the success of the Great Eastern Drive, we believe an iconic drive to the West Coast could inspire more visitors to head West and experience this diverse, historic and breathtaking part of Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government will contribute $500,000 to the Western Journey project which will be led by the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania in partnership with Destination Southern Tasmania and the Cradle Coast Authority.
The project’s scope includes identifying products and experiences specific to the West, developing themes and stories, looking at roads and access, signage and interpretation and the development of a name and brand.
The West is already building a case as a must-see destination in Tasmania with visitor numbers to the West Coast jumped more than 13 per cent last year and businesses in the region claiming five gold medals at last week’s Tasmanian Tourism Awards.
The Western Journey is the next step to enable the West to realise its tourism potential, it also supports our goal for 70 per cent of visitors to Tasmania to stay overnight in regional areas by 2022.