Tarkine Drive open to visitors

The new Tarkine Drive, officially opened today, will enable even more Tasmanians and visitors to access the natural beauty of Tasmania’s far north-west.

The Tasmanian Government has invested $23 million in critical new tourism infrastructure as part of the Tarkine Drive project.

The project includes improved access across more than 90km of existing roads through the Tarkine, from Arthur River to Tayateah Bridge where it connects to Smithton from the south.

It also included replacements for the Tayateah, Kanunnah and Rapid River bridges, and upgrades for tourist facilities including toilets, car parking, interpretative signage and shelter.

These upgrades will make the area much easier to access for a growing number of tourists, which is expected to increase from 30,000 tourists in 2011 to 74,000 by 2025.

We have long said that tourism and our resource industries can co-exist, and this new road is further evidence of that.

Importantly, it will give even more visitors and locals a reason to head to the Cradle Coast, boosting the local economy and creating jobs.

New and improved infrastructure such as the Tarkine Drive will help us to achieve our target of attracting 1.5 million visitors to Tasmania every year by 2020.
Will Hodgman, Premier Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events