Arthur River
“…today I came and stood at the edge of the world.”
Brian Inder
About Arthur River
A tiny township clinging to Tasmania’s rugged western coastline, Arthur River has been crowned the ‘Edge of the World’. It is so named as what stretches beyond is the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean in the world. West of here lies nothing but treacherous seas and ferocious winds – until you reach South America on the other side of the globe.
It is at Arthur River that untamed Tasmania really comes to life. Wander along the boardwalk at Gardiners Point and take in Mother Nature’s wild fury. If she’s calm on the day of your visit, the shoreline littered with giant driftwood and strewn with seaweed ripped from the seafloor will hint at her usual temper. Take in the interpretative signs detailing the history of the area on your way to the lookout. From here, your eyes can feast on the mouth of the mighty Arthur River in one direction and skip along Tasmania’s spectacular western coastline in the other. Sunset is simply magic here.
Perched at its mouth, the township provides access to one of the most pristine rivers in the world. The Arthur River stretches from deep in the heart of the Tarkine Wilderness. Having escaped both logging and damming, a cruise up this river is truly a special experience. Cruises operate daily and will have you marvelling at untouched forest dense with blackwood, sassafras, myrtle and Tasmania’s famous Huon Pine. Look up for soaring sea eagles and down for picture perfect river reflections.
Named after Sir George Arthur, Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land from 1824 to 1836, Arthur River is permanent home to just a handful of residents (literally) who relish the serenity. You’ll find things become a little busier over summer when shack owners return to enjoy the warmer weather and chase the brown trout. Fishing, surfing, diving, four-wheel driving and exploring breathtaking wilderness on foot are all popular pastimes.
The surrounding region is also home to rich Aboriginal heritage. Special middens, depressions and engravings are scattered throughout the area – from Marrawah to the north, and throughout the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area that stretches to the south.
Book your Arthur River beach shack early – there are very few available – or get in touch with the local cabin park. They are only too happy to help with a comfortable place to rest your head and advice on the myriad of outdoor adventures that await.
Interested in tigers? This is thylacine country. A drive inland from Arthur River will have you in the heart of classic Tasmanian Tiger territory. Keep your eyes peeled. You just never know…
Accommodation
Food & Drink
At the very edge of the world, where the Roaring Forties whip across a rugged coastline and the Southern Ocean crashes against timeworn rock, Arthur River offers not just an escape but a true retreat. Here, accommodation isn’t about luxury in the traditional sense. It’s about something deeper. A front-row seat to nature’s rawest beauty, where your morning alarm is the distant boom of waves and the whisper of wind through coastal heath.
Most who venture here seek simplicity. A handful of beach shacks, private holiday homes, and a small but welcoming cabin park provide the kind of stay that lets you sink into the landscape, not stand apart from it. Book early especially in summer because options are few, and those in the know return year after year to claim their slice of seclusion.
Shopping
Heritage & History
Arthur River is a place where history runs deep—etched into the land long before its name appeared on maps. For thousands of years, the palawa people, Tasmania’s First Nations, lived along this wild coastline, fishing its waters and leaving their mark in middens, rock engravings, and sacred sites scattered throughout the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. The river itself was more than a source of sustenance; it was a boundary, a pathway, and a spiritual force. Then came the Europeans. By the early 1800s, conflict and displacement swept through the northwest as settlers claimed the land. Arthur River took its name from Sir George Arthur, a lieutenant governor whose policies shaped Tasmania’s colonial history—often at great cost to its original custodians.
Despite attempts to tame it, Arthur River has remained defiantly wild. The dark, tannin-rich waters that flow from the heart of the Tarkine have never been dammed or diverted. Efforts to log the surrounding forests were met with fierce conservation battles, ensuring this river system remains one of the last truly untouched in the world. Today, Arthur River is home to only a handful of permanent residents, but its history lingers in the wind, the waves, and the land itself. Those who visit don’t just stand at the Edge of the World—they step into a place where the past and present exist side by side, forever shaped by the forces of nature and time.
Activities
Arthur River isn’t just a place to see—it’s a place to experience. Here, the wild Tasmanian landscape invites you to step off the beaten path and into a world where nature reigns supreme. The Arthur River Cruise is a must, taking you deep into the heart of the Tarkine Wilderness. Glide through tannin-rich waters, past ancient blackwood and Huon pine, as sea eagles soar overhead and mirror-like reflections ripple below. For those who prefer their adventures on land, the Gardiners Point boardwalk leads to the iconic Edge of the World lookout, where you can stand at the very edge of the continent, gazing out at the longest uninterrupted stretch of ocean on the planet.
For those drawn to the thrill of the outdoors, Arthur River delivers. Cast a line for brown trout, Australian salmon, or gummy shark, or take to the waves—this remote coastline offers rugged, uncrowded surf breaks. Four-wheel drive enthusiasts can tackle the wild coastal tracks of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area, where endless dunes and windswept beaches create an off-road paradise. Hikers can explore untouched bushland, while wildlife lovers might catch sight of wallabies, wombats, and even a distant Tasmanian devil at dusk. And for the dreamers? Drive inland and let your imagination roam—this is thylacine country, after all. Keep your eyes peeled. You just never know…
Events
Travel Info & Maps
Arthur River sits on Tasmania’s rugged northwest coast, where the roads narrow, the landscapes stretch vast and untamed, and the Southern Ocean roars unchallenged. It’s a place you don’t simply pass through—you arrive, drawn by the call of the wild. Located about 14km south of Marrawah and 180km west of Burnie, this remote township marks the westernmost edge of Tasmania’s road network. From here, beyond the river’s mouth, there’s nothing but open ocean until South America.
Getting to Arthur River
Despite its remoteness, getting here is part of the adventure. The drive from Burnie takes around 2.5 hours, winding through lush farmlands, coastal heath, and forests that hint at the Tarkine’s ancient heart. From Stanley, it’s a 90-minute journey along scenic roads where the wind carries the scent of salt and wilderness. Fuel, supplies, and limited amenities can be found in town, but don’t expect city conveniences—Arthur River is a place where nature calls the shots. It’s best to stock up before arriving and embrace the solitude, the scenery, and the untamed beauty of Tasmania’s last frontier.