Towns and destinations

Located in far North-West Tasmania, Circular Head municipality – The Edge of the World – covers an area of 4,917km2. The municipality gained its name from the unusual land formation commonly know as ‘The Nut’ at Stanley, the solidified lave lake of a long-extinct volcano. The Nut was sighted by Bass & Flinders on their historic circumnavigation of Tasmania in 1798.

The town of Smithton, with some 3,500 residents, is the regional centre of Circular Head. The historic town of Stanley is one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist destinations. Arthur River on the West Coast is also a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Other rural townships include Marrawah, Irishtown and Edith Creek.

Smithton

Stanley

Marrawah

Tasmania’s “Surf City” Marrawah is where the West Coast Surf Classic is held every year, which attracts Australian and International surfers. Wildlife is plentiful around the township, and a sunset meeting with a Tasmanian Devil is a must. The main industry in this town is dairy and beef farming.

Arthur River

The township of Arthur River is located where the entrance of the tannin coloured river of the same name opens into the tumultuous Southern Ocean.

Although the coastal township developed decades ago as a shack site, the road to Arthur River was only sealed in 2003. In recent years a number of shack owners have turned their properties into Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Cruises on the Arthur River itself are available and White Bellied Sea Eagles are a common sight from the decks of the boats.

Arthur River is the last township before the Western Explorer Road (C249), a mostly unsealed road which snakes its way south past some of Tasmania’s most beautiful, remote landscapes to Corinna on the Pieman River, and onward to Tasmania’s West Coast.

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