When you head south west from the northern port town of Devonport, you enter a landscape bordered to the south and west by jagged mountains, chocolate brown soil and rolling green hills dotted with herds of Friesen dairy cows, and Bass Strait with its picturesque seaside towns to the north.

For those travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania, Devonport is your gateway to the Island. The region is known for potato and onion growing, creamy milk and cheese, quirky place names such as Promised Land, Paradise, Penguin and the Walls of Jerusalem. It is also a landscape of towering Eucalypt forests, looming mountains and deep ancient caves that honeycomb the foothills beside the Great Western Tiers. Some believe the Tasmanian Tiger still roams the area.

This region also has some of the best walking trails and when you enter Cradle Valley you will find Tasmanias most recognisable landmark the ragged profile of Cradle Mountain reflected in Dove Lake below.

This is your entry to a walk through a World Heritage Area protected because of its rare cool temperate rainforests, Aboriginal history, towering mountains and buttongrass plains. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is home to the world famous Overland Track linking Cradle Valley by a six-day walk south to Lake St Clair. There are many superb short walks from the Valley, including the most popular around Dove Lake.

The Great Western Tiers form an ancient backdrop to the lush valleys where you can find artist studios, berry farms, the caves of the Mole Creek Karst National Park, and learn about our unique animals Tasmanian devils, potaroos, pademelons, spotted quolls and much more.

Along Bass Strait, the road passes tulip farms, tiny seaside communities and holiday homes.