NORTH WEST COASTAL PATHWAY

Together we can create a world class coastal trail in Tasmania’s north west.

#TOGETHERWECAN

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The problem

Tasmania’s North West Coastal Pathway could be one of the state’s key off road trails, and while parts have been built, gaps still remain. 

Identified for a decade as one of Australia’s great coastal rides, when finished the North West Coastal Pathway will be a 110km off-road trail that links Latrobe to Devonport and on to Wynard.

While most of the pathway has been built or under construction, gaps within the trail remain, most notably a path from Burnie to the east and between West Ulverstone and Penguin.

The pathway has the enormous potential to revitalise tourism in the area and provide locals with a safe, separated cycleway. But without consistent sources of funding and ongoing council support, progress to fill the gaps has been slow.

This project dates back to 1997, with the full proposal fleshed out by the Cradle Coast Authority in 2010. We’re keen to see it fully funded and completed.

Other news

NORTH WEST COASTAL PATHWAY

Tassie Bike News Bites

Coastal pathway updates map released, Ironman race shuts down Intercity Cycleway. work on Bonnet Hill route, and the government updates its population strategy in the...

Coastal pathway is still on its way

It feels like a while since we’ve had news about the Coastal Pathway in Tasmania’s north west but councils and the Cradle Coast Authority are...

Coastal pathway to become election issue

The completion of the coastal pathway is set to become an issue at the upcoming council elections following mayor Steve Kon’s controversial comments that Burnie...

Coastal pathway starting to come together

Construction of three new sections of coastal pathway is now underway or soon to start in Devonport and Central Coast council areas, so start planning...

The solution

Councils and the state government must continue to work together to fill the gaps. 

For the pathway to be a success it needs to be fully funded and marketed to attract Australian and international tourists. 

There is also the need to ensure the path is fully separated the whole way so that people of all ages and abilities can ride it with confidence. 

We want the Coastal Pathway to be on people’s bucket lists so they arrive on the Spirit of Tasmania and jump on their bikes and head to Wynyard. 

Eventually, the path could extend to Stanley via the disused rail corridor. 

CURRENT STATUS

  • Don to Leith and West Ulverstone paths opened at the end of 2023.
  • The Wynyard to Cooee path is due to begin work in mid 2023 and be finished in late 2024.
  • The Sulphur Creek to Penguin path will be finished by the end of October 2022, Leith to Turners Beach should be completed by March 2023, and West Ulverstone by the end of 2022.
  • Cradle Coast Authority predicts new paths to be finished in 2022 include Sulphur Creek to Penguin and Leith to Turners Beach, with West Ulverstone to follow soon after in the first half of 2022. 
  • The Latrobe to Ambleside pathway opened in April 2021.
  • The state government and Burnie and Wynyard councils came to an agreement about erosion issues to continue work on the Wynyard to Burnie section of the pathway at the end of 2020. 
  • The future is looking promising for the North-West Coastal pathway, with $4.8 million in federal funding announced in May 2018 and councils backing the project in August 2017.
  • The state government announced $450,000 funding in March 2018 to convert the old Forth River Bridge into part of the pathway.

Take action

Collective action makes a difference. Join the campaign – together we can ensure Tasmania’s potential iconic path fills its two missing links.

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