The call of Tasmania’s West Coast is inescapable for some. Through Australia’s colonial history the area acted as a penal colony for a penal colony – it was harsh, isolated and brutal. The terrain was so rugged that it created the barrier that prevented escape, for all but a few. The rugged nature of the West Coast is not just part of the beauty of the area, but also the broader appeal. Mining and forestry have left permanent scars, acting as a reminder to some about the long term impact of the drive for resources.
All of that is juxtaposed by the fact that Tasmania’s West Coast is also home to huge swathes of conservation and wilderness areas. There are vast tracts of land in impenetrable forests, and near limitless adventures for keen outdoors people. More recently, mountain biking has moved
