A week Tasmania, Australia- 5/11- 5/16/2024
5 day tour of Tasmania
Day 2 of 5 - Henty Dunes/Ocean Beach-5/13/2024
The Henty Dunes are about 22 miles (roughly a 30–40 minute drive) north of Montezuma Falls, located just outside the coastal town of Strahan on Tasmania’s rugged west coast.
These dunes are part of the Henty Sand Dunes Conservation Area, a vast stretch of coastal sand dunes that run for more than 9 miless along the coast. They were formed over thousands of years by powerful westerly winds blowing sand inland from the ocean. Some dunes rise up to 100 feet high, offering sweeping views of the coast and the wild Southern Ocean beyond.
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From the parking lot, we started walking up a hilly patch of soft sand, each step sinking slightly as we climbed.
It was a bit of a workout going uphill, but as we reached the top, the view opened up, endless rolling dunes stretching toward the horizon, framed by forest on one side and the vast Tasmanian sky on the other.
The landscape feels almost surreal, soft golden sand meeting deep green forest. It’s a popular spot for quad biking, sand boarding, or simply walking and feeling the fine sand shift underfoot. The Henty Dunes capture the raw, untamed beauty of Tasmania’s west coast, where the wilderness meets the sea.
As we walked along the ridge of the dune, I glanced to the left and saw a huge drop. a vast, sloping hill of sand falling steeply toward the base.
It looked almost like a desert cliff, smooth and untouched. The scale of it was incredible, making us feel small against the wide, open landscape of golden dunes and sky.
Across the golden sand, I could see traces of countless footsteps, soft prints weaving up and down the slopes, some already half-erased by the wind. They told the quiet story of others who had climbed these dunes before us, exploring, running, or simply pausing to take in the view. The footprints stretched in every direction, blending into the shimmering patterns left by the breeze.
You can see here how vast the sand dunes are in this picture.
As we walked further, the landscape began to shift with a few small bushes of grass appeared, their green tufts standing out against the golden sand.
In the distance, a line of trees rose together like a dark green hill, marking where the dunes met the edge of the forest. The contrast between the soft, wind-shaped sand and the dense wall of trees made the whole scene feel wild and untouched.
Heading further in the Sand Dunes...
From the top of the dune, we could see the ocean shimmering in the distance with a faint blue line meeting the horizon. The sight of the sea beyond the rolling dunes made the whole view feel vast and free, stretching endlessly toward the coast.
The wind, sand, and forest meet and continually reshape one another.
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Footsteps on the sand.
We are now going back to the parking lot and I noticed that in this area the dunes were surrounded by clusters of trees, as if the forest were slowly reclaiming the edges of the sand. Tall eucalypts and coastal shrubs stood like sentinels, their roots gripping the edge of the dunes, creating a striking contrast between the soft, flowing sand and the dense, green vegetation.
We are now leaving the area.
Walking down the sandy slopes toward the parking lot.
Ocean Beach
The drive from the Henty Dunes to Ocean Beach takes about 10 to 15 minutes, it’s a short, scenic trip along the coast from just north of Strahan.
Ocean Beach is one of the most dramatic and longest beaches in Tasmania, stretching for almost 20 miles along the wild west coast. It’s popular for its breathtaking views, sunsets, and the sheer power of the Southern Ocean, which crashes onto the shore with unrelenting energy.
Tom parked the bus and the whole group walked down a sandy slope that led to the beach below.
The sound of the waves grew louder with each step, and soon the view opened up to reveal the vast stretch of Ocean Beach with endless golden sand.
As we walked along the beach, it was absolutely beautiful with the waves rolling in endlessly.
The beach feels truly immense because it is completely exposed to the Southern Ocean. From here, there is no significant landmass to block the flow between Tasmania/Australia to the southern tip of South America, which is thousands of kilometers away. When the sun "tries to break through," the effect is stunning. The heavy, grey cloud cover breaks up, allowing shafts of golden light to stream down into the Ocean. This dramatic contrast emphasizes the scale of the sky and the ocean, creating a beautiful, almost desolate, grandeur.
Here you can really see a massive stretch of sand running for about 20 miles.
The relentless waves crashing against the shore. The beach is famous for its
wild, untamed nature and exposure to the full force of the Southern Ocean,
which makes the water extremely dangerous for swimming. The powerful,
uninterrupted swells coming from the Southern Ocean create severe and
unpredictable rip tides and strong currents that can quickly sweep even
experienced swimmers out to sea.
Our group standing on the vast, wild expanse of Ocean Beach, with the sun's light filtering through the white clouds perfectly captures the mood of the Tasmanian West Coast.
Standing on the beach, we realized the immensity of the Ocean, and we all appreciate its rugged beauty.
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Our group enjoying a moment of tranquility on the beach.
Our group standing on the beach and soaking in the beauty of this place.
Last view of the beach before we took off.
The Ship that never was play
Tom recommended that we go see "the Ship that never was", a quintessential Strahan experience and is renowned as Australia's longest-running play.
The play is based on a remarkable true story from 1834, the final days of the infamous Sarah Island penal colony in Macquarie Harbor (the island you can see from Strahan). It's far more than just a historical account; it's a hilarious, high-energy, and interactive piece of theater that perfectly captures the audacious spirit of the West Coast's convict past.
The performance venue for the main season (typically September to May) is a dedicated semi-open space designed to handle the West Coast's variable weather while keeping that open-air feeling. The audience sits on tiered rows of seating, similar to bleachers or stadium seating. This ensures that everyone has a clear view of the stage, which is particularly important for an interactive show where action is happening all the time.
The stage area itself is simple, yet effective. It is designed to be a flexible space where the actors, with the help of the audience, can literally "build" a ship out of props and minimal scenery during the show.
The show's
unique charm and longevity rely heavily on robust audience participation.
The play, performed by a small cast
(usually just two actors), has to tell a story involving ten convict escapees,
several guards, governors, and even a Chilean welcoming committee.
A lot of people in our group are made part of the play and it was really fun watching them act.
David and Charlotte having a blast.
The atmosphere is one of
infectious, high-energy chaos.
NEXT...Day 3- Cradle Mountain (coming soon)
