🏡 Moving to Tasmania's West Coast: 7-Day House-Hunting Itinerary
🏡 Moving to Tasmania's West Coast: 7-Day House-Hunting Itinerary
✅ Ideal For:
Buyers seeking low-cost housing, renovation projects, or rural freedom
Remote workers, retirees, adventurers, and hospitality/tourism investors
People with own transport, as services are spread out
Interest in buying homes, land, or buildings for lifestyle, income, or restoration
📅 Best Time to Visit
Summer (Dec–Feb): Best weather, tourism season in full swing.
Early Autumn (Mar–Apr): Crisp, clear days, fewer tourists.
Avoid mid-winter unless you’re prepared for cold, fog, and rain.
🕒 Trip Duration
7 days allows you to explore all key towns (Strahan, Queenstown, Zeehan, Rosebery, Tullah) at a relaxed pace, meet agents, and soak up the unique West Coast culture.
🏨 Where to Stay
Queenstown or Strahan: Best as bases with accommodation, food, fuel, and local agents
Consider 2–3 nights in each to experience them fully
🔍 Organising Viewings
Use: realestate.com.au, View.com.au, Domain.com.au
Contact local agents ahead:
Roberts Real Estate West Coast
Harcourts West Coast
Elders Real Estate Queenstown
PRD Strahan
Most properties are by appointment only – very few open homes
Many properties are cash buyers only due to condition or lending restrictions
🚗 7-Day Itinerary (Self-Drive)
Day 1 – Saturday: Arrive + Strahan Orientation
Morning: Drive to Strahan (or arrive night before)
Midday: Meet local agent(s), drive past properties (Strahan is compact)
Afternoon: Explore the waterfront, Hogarth Falls walk, Regatta Point rail
Evening: Stay in Strahan, enjoy a harbour sunset
✅ Focus: Premium west coast property, tourism income, character homes
Day 2 – Sunday: Strahan Touring
Morning: Optional river cruise (Gordon River) to understand tourism appeal
Midday: Lunch in town, visit Ocean Beach
Afternoon: Drive to nearby Lettes Bay shack community (if public access is open)
Evening: Second night in Strahan
✅ Focus: Gauge lifestyle feel, nature connection, investment potential
Day 3 – Monday: Drive to Zeehan + Inspections
Morning: 45 min drive to Zeehan
Midday: View up to 3 properties (must be pre-booked), take note of condition
Afternoon: Explore Spray Tunnel, museum, local shops
Evening: Optional stay in Zeehan or head to Queenstown
✅ Focus: Cheap housing, high renovation potential, quiet lifestyle
Day 4 – Tuesday: Queenstown Immersion
Morning: View 2–3 homes (weatherboard, federation, stone)
Midday: Walk the historic main street, lunch at Empire Hotel
Afternoon: Visit the Paragon Theatre, gallery, or take the Mt Owen scenic drive
Evening: Stay in Queenstown
✅ Focus: Affordable living, cultural revival, investor interest growing
Day 5 – Wednesday: Rosebery + Tullah
Morning: 40 min drive to Rosebery – view brick or miner cottages
Midday: Lunch in Rosebery or picnic by Lake Pieman
Afternoon: Explore Tullah – lakefront cabins, unique properties
Evening: Optional night in Tullah or return to Queenstown
✅ Focus: Quiet towns, low prices, secluded feel, self-sufficiency options
Day 6 – Thursday: Second Viewings + Nature
Morning: Return to top 2–3 properties in Queenstown or Strahan
Afternoon: Visit Montezuma Falls, Iron Blow Lookout, or Lake Burbury
Evening: Wrap-up dinner in Queenstown or Strahan
✅ Focus: Final impressions, local lifestyle, scenic affirmation
Day 7 – Friday: Departure
Morning: Visit local council for planning/zoning enquiries
Afternoon: Drive back to Launceston (3.5 hrs) or Hobart (4.5 hrs)
Optional: Stop at Derwent Bridge or Tarraleah for future reference
✅ Focus: Next steps, administration, goodbyes
🔎 Local Considerations
Weather: High rainfall year-round, especially in Queenstown & Tullah
Mobile/internet: Patchy in places – check with locals
Services: Medical care mostly in Queenstown; Strahan has a clinic
Schools: Available in Queenstown, Zeehan, Rosebery
Jobs: Mining, tourism, hospitality, remote work
🛠️ Next Steps
Rank towns by lifestyle fit
Request vendor statements and council rates info
Consider pest/building reports for older homes
Line up conveyancer for local property understanding
Explore income options: short-term lets, B&B, restoration projects
