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Major city · Australia

Smithton

Use Smithton as a one-night base for the far northwest: the Tarkine, Arthur River and Stanley are the draw, not the town itself.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Smithton is a town of about 3,900 people on the Bass Highway (A2), roughly an hour west of Burnie, and it is the practical base for Tasmania's far northwest — the Tarkine rainforest, the wild Arthur River coast and the Nut at Stanley. There is almost no public transport out here, so a car is effectively required. Most travellers sleep one or two nights, use the town for fuel, food and a bed, and spend the daylight hours in the surrounding country.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Nov–Apr
avoid Jun–Aug (cold, wet, short days)
Airports
BWT · DPO
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Smithton000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Smithton, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Budget bedHostel or cabin bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$170 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$260 (≈ US$180)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$350 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Gateway to the Tarkine rainforestArthur River and the wild northwest coastStanley and the NutCircular Head dairy country
Airports
BWT Burnie Airport (Wynyard) (About 50 min east by car on the Bass Highway; small regional flights from Melbourne.) · DPO Devonport Airport (About 1 h 45 min east by car; the main northern gateway with the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    13°C (55°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (21°C (70°F)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Smithton: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Feb

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

7 rd

Mar

19°C (66°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

8°C (46°F)

11 rd

May

15°C (59°F)

7°C (45°F)

13 rd

Jun

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

14 rd

Jul

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

15 rd

Aug

14°C (57°F)

5°C (41°F)

15 rd

Sep

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

14 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

Nov

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

10 rd

Dec

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the only realistic way to see the region; there is no useful public transport between Smithton, Stanley and Arthur River. Fuel up in Smithton before heading south — the next reliable fuel is a long way off. Roads to Arthur River and the Tarkine are sealed but narrow and wildlife-active at dawn and dusk.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Stanley and the Nutgo

Door to door: About 30 min

Bass Highway (A2) east, about 30 min by car

Chairlift or steep walk to the Nut summit; go early before the wind picks up.

Arthur River and the Tarkine edge

go

Door to door: About 1 h

C214 south from Smithton, about 1 h by car

Cruise or forest walk; a full day, and check road and weather conditions first.

Burniecaution

Door to door: About 1 h

Bass Highway (A2) east, about 1 h by car

Fine as a through-stop on the way in or out, not worth a return day.

Wynyardcaution

Door to door: About 40 min

Bass Highway (A2) east, about 40 min by car

Airport and a tabletop tulip farm in season; a short stop.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Smithton town centre

Motels and the pub on and around Smith and Emmett streets; walkable to food, best for one night.

Stanley (30 min east)

Smaller, prettier base under the Nut; book ahead in summer.

Arthur River (about 1 h south)

Remote cabins and camping for the Tarkine edge; no services, bring supplies.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
Mid
A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
High
A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$170A$170
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$200A$400
Car hire, one day1 × A$90 · checkA$90
Fuel, about 200 km of driving1 × A$40 · checkA$40
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20A$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$74
Trip total≈ A$407 per person per day, bed includedA$814≈ US$550

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Pub or café mealA$20–35 (≈ US$14–25)
Takeaway pizzaA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Motel double room, per nightA$120–260 (≈ US$80–180) (check)
Fuel, per litreA$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) (check)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A small, quiet town and generally safe. The real risks are rural: wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk, fast-changing weather in the Tarkine, and long gaps between fuel and phone coverage.
  • Wildlife on the road at dawn and dusk: wombats and wallabies cause real damage.
  • Phone coverage drops out fast south and west of town; download offline maps.
  • Fuel and food options thin out beyond Smithton; carry water and supplies.
  • Many Tarkine and Arthur River experiences need booking ahead in summer.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SmithtonSmithton

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

No consulates in Smithton; the nearest are in Hobart, with embassies in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Smithton → Stanley by car: about 30 min, 35 km (22 mi)
  • Smithton → Burnie by car: about 1 h, 75 km (47 mi)
  • Smithton → Arthur River by car: about 1 h, 60 km (37 mi)

Say or show

  • Where is the fuel station? — Where is the fuel station?
  • Is there phone coverage here? — Is there phone coverage here?
  • How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?

Fuel up and buy supplies in Smithton before heading south or west.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Smithton. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources