Growing pains for the West Coast as it experiences an influx of tourists

Typically seen as a rugged and isolated region, a remote part of the state is now seeing a raft of tourists visiting the area.

Simon McGuire

2 min read

January 24, 2024 - 5:00AM

Unconformity 2023. Queenstown, on Tasmania's West Coast. Picture: Ollie Khedun

North West Coast

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The West Coast is in the midst of a tourism boom.

However, locals are concerned about the growing pains associated with increased visitor numbers.

In the year ending September 2023, Tourism Tasmania said the West Coast recieved 217,559 international and interstate visitors.

“This is up 43 per cent on the same period in 2022, and 20 per cent higher than the same period in 2019 pre-covid pandemic,” Tourism Tasmania said.

“Of those visitors, 83% were holiday makers. These numbers come from the Tasmanian Visitor Survey (TVS) and do not include intrastate visitors – i.e. Tasmanians.

“In the Year Ending September 2023, Tasmanians took 67,000 daytrips to the West Coast – up 86 per cent on year ending September 2022 – and 74,000 overnight trips – up eight per cent on same period in 2022.”

Destination West Coast chair and Harrison House bed and breakfast owner Jo-Ann Kerr said the summer tourist season had been positive.

“I think the numbers give us a lot of confidence in the product that we’re delivering,” Ms Kerr said.

“After a couple of really down winters, it’s good that we are attracting tourists here. A big part of it has been the strong shoulder season.

West Coast Wilderness Railway, Strahan. Picture Alastair Bett/supplied by RACT

“We started getting busy in September, and October and November were like the summer.

“I think having that extended shoulder from a pure business point of view is brilliant after such a quiet winter.”

However, Ms Kerr said the increase in tourism had some consequences.

“For us, internet connectivity has been a bit of an issue. It’s raised its head in the last few weeks and is more noticeable than normal.

“You’ve also got things like staff shortages and a lack of housing for when you need to increase staff.

“The road facilities are also a challenge. There aren’t enough overtaking points, pullover points for taking photos and public toilets.”

West Coast Council general manager David Midson said the region benefited from increased tourism.

“Tourism for the West Coast is not just about tourism jobs – we actually have lots of jobs here already – but tourism brings lots of other benefits,” Mr Midson said.

“Tourism brings a lot of amenity for local residents, from investment in walking tracks, cafes, restaurants, great experiences and meeting people from around the world.”

Mr Midson agreed with Ms Kerr that some growing pains were associated with increased tourism numbers.

“Increased visitation brings some financial pressure on Council to maintain tourist focused facilities, including thing public toilets, car parks and roads to attractions,” he said.

“This is difficult because visitors to our regions don’t pay rates, so when there are lots of visitors using facilities and few residents to pay for them, it can be difficult.

“West Coasters have always found a way or made one, and we can certainly meet the needs of increasing visitor numbers.

“We welcome more Tasmanians to come and visit the most different part of their island.”