Discover the epic viewpoint at the “Edge of the World” on Tasmania’s Wild North West Coast.
After spending 4 months travelling around the incredible island of Tasmania, I finally got around to seeing the famous “Edge of the World” lookout at Gardiner Point. I’d been told about this epic spot almost immediately after arriving, and I was stoked to finally get to check it out.
In this quick travel guide, I’ll outline everything you need to know about visiting the Edge of the World in Tasmania. I’ll also include a brief section on my experience and some photos from my trip that I hope will inspire you to visit.
About the Edge of the World In Tasmania
The Edge of the World lookout sits at Gardiner Point, at the mouth of the Arthur River on Tasmania's northwest coast. Nothing but a small plaque and a low railing separates you from the Southern Ocean. Locals and signage use Edge of the World and End of the World more or less interchangeably, so if you've seen it written the second way, this is the same place.
This isn't the westernmost point of Tasmania, but it's the one with the story. The plaque at the lookout puts it plainly: the sea west of here is the longest uninterrupted expanse of ocean on the globe, and from Argentina the currents sweep unimpeded more than halfway around the planet until they hit this point.
Parks and Wildlife make the same claim when they describe the air here as the cleanest in the world, for the same reason. Keep in mind that the record for the longest straight line over water actually runs from Pakistan to Russia, so treat the superlative as the local one it is rather than a literal global first.
This lookout point is located at Gardiner Point, close to the West Point State Reserve, adjacent to the mouth of the Arthur River. Most people tend to visit the Edge of the World on a self-drive trip along the Tarkine Drive.
Read: 7 Awesome Things to do at Strahan & the West Coast
What's Actually at the Edge of the World Lookout
There's no gate, no entry fee and no opening hours. You don't need a Tasmanian parks pass either, which surprises most people given the lookout sits inside the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area. Turn up whenever you like.
From the car park at the end of Airey Drive it's a 400 m return walk on a flat boardwalk, about 15 minutes at a wander. Parks and Wildlife rate the Gardiner Point day use area as accessible and the viewing platform is reachable by wheelchair, which is rare for a spot this remote and worth knowing if you're travelling with someone who can't manage rough ground.
On site you'll find two car parks, toilets, a shelter with a barbecue, and picnic tables. The plaque carries a poem by Brian Inder, and the last line is the one everyone photographs: "That today I came and stood at the edge of the world."
The whole site is being rebuilt. In November 2025 the Tasmanian Government committed A$2.75 million to the Edge of the World Revitalisation Project, on the basis that the existing infrastructure has reached the end of its life. The work covers road access, parking, the walking track, toilets, the shelter and new interpretation signage, and it's scheduled to run three years to completion in 2027. Visitors were still reporting normal access through 2026, but if you're driving out specifically for this lookout it's worth checking the Parks and Wildlife project page before you commit to the trip.
Edge Of The World Organised Trips
Unfortunately, due to how remote the Edge of the World lookout is, there isn't a dedicated tour running here from any major city in Tasmania. However, if you're in Hobart with 5 days to spare and looking for a way to explore the Edge of the World along with a good chunk of the rest of the state, then I'd recommend this epic 5-day all-inclusive tour of Tasmania.
The other option that gets you on the water rather than looking at it is the Arthur River cruise, which runs 14 km upriver from the township. The Original cruise is A$145 per adult and includes morning tea and a barbecue lunch, and the Deluxe is A$195. Both need a minimum group to depart, and the boats don't run at all through June, July and August.
Otherwise, below I've included some of the best-rated tours and experiences from the Wild West Coast that you should definitely consider.
How To Get to the Edge of the World
As I mentioned, you'll need your own vehicle to get to the Edge of the World lookout in Tasmania. Remember, you'll want to head to Gardiner Point, located at the end of Airey Street, accessible via Temma Road. Expect roughly 84 km and 1.5 hours from Stanley or 290 km and 3.5 hours from Launceston.
The roads are all sealed until you get onto Airey Street towards the beach. However, this road is very well maintained and any vehicle type should manage in good weather.
Below I've pinned the exact location of the lookout to help you get here independently.
Google Maps Pin: "Edge of the World" - Arthur River TAS
Car Rentals in Tasmania
Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years. Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using DiscoverCars in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.
(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).
My Experience at the Edge of the World
Whatever you've heard about Tasmania's weather, let me tell you that it's definitely true. I believe that the old sayings are even more accurate on the West Coast. It's wet, wild, cold and extremely unpredictable.
We arrived at the Edge of the World after a long day exploring Tasmania's incredible Tarkine. The fierce roaring forties were relentless and were causing our big van to sway nervously as we drove up the West Coast. We arrived at the lookout to snap some photographs but unfortunately, the weather was just too bad to even risk getting my camera out.
Due to the poor weather, we decided to "stealth camp" rather obnoxiously, adjacent to a big "no camping" sign. We normally always respect the no-camping rules but the weather was coming in and we felt it was just too dangerous to keep driving. Besides, we figured that nobody would be stupid enough to make the trip out here in that weather anyway!
Luckily, our assumptions turned out to be true. We endured a long night of howling winds and woke up to a narrow sunrise weather gap that allowed us to get some photos and properly explore the Edge of the World.
Where to Stay in NorthWest Tasmania: A Quick Guide
Tassie's Northwest has a lot to offer. If you're planning your trip, consider picking an accommodation option up here as a base, at least for a few days. Below are my recommendation options in the best areas to help you out.
Read: Where to Stay in Tasmania
Stay near the Edge of the World - A rugged northwest coast is a great place for adventurers to base themselves.
- Arthur Spa Cottage 9/10
- Ocean View Cottage 9.2/10
Stay in Stanley - Famous for the iconic nut but offers great seaside accommodations.
- Hanlon House 9.3/10
- Stanley Village Waterfront 8.8/10
Stay in Boat Harbour - One of the most beautiful and underrated beach towns in Tasmania. A must-visit!
- Heavenly Farm B&B 9.1/10
- Boat Harbour Garden Cottages 9.1/10
Stay in Penguin - A quaint coastal town with a unique name.
- Penguin Seaside Homestay 9.5/10
- Penguin Beachfront Apartments 9.3/10
I hope that you've enjoyed this quick guide to visiting the Edge of the World at Gardiner Point in Tasmania. Before you go, make sure to check out some of my other travel guides below for more inspiration for your adventures around the island.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!