Arthur River is a small settlement on the west coast that borders the Arthur-Pieman River Protected Area. There are facilities for camping, picnics and barbecues.

The town was named after Sir George Arthur who was Governor of Van Diemen's Land between 1824 and 1836. Arthur River itself is fed by several tributaries including the Frankland River, which was named after its discoverer, then the colony's surveyor-general.

Early west coast gold prospectors had to regularly cross the Arthur River to get to and from the diggings further to the south. The river was cleared by hand in the 1870s for the ferry service, which operated for over 100 years. Food, supplies and cattle were transported across the river.

On the coast, near the mouth of the Arthur River, is a plaque titled The Edge of the World. North West Coast Tasmania, and a poem by tourism pioneer Brian Inder, who coined the term, referring to the coastline at Arthur River which is regularly lashed by the gales of the Roaring Forties.

"I cast my pebble onto the shore of Eternity
To be washed by the Ocean of Time
It has shape, form and substance.
It is me
One day I will be no more
But my pebble will remain here
On the shore of Eternity
Mute witness for the aeons
That today I came and stood
At the edge of the world."

These days the Western Explorer route (which starts at Arthur River) takes you to Corinna on the Pieman River, just over 100 kilometres south.

Arthur River and Marrawah are key gateways to the Tarkine's awe-inspiring coastal region, where there are opportunities for surfing, walking, fishing, kayaking, wildlife appreciation and river cruises. There is some accommodation available at Arthur River and Marrawah, with some supplies available from the Marrawah store, a Parks office at Arthur River, and camping available as well.

The majesty that is the Tarkine is an adventure-lovers' poster spot. At around 350,000 hectares in size, it makes up a vast portion of Tasmania's north-west. This area is as precious as it is unique because not only is it Australia's largest temperate rainforest area, it is also home to the last of the world's Gondwanic old-growth rainforests.

There have been some notable shipwrecks off the coast at Arthur River - The Albert in 1853 and The Rebecca, also in1853,

In the 2006 Census, it was established that the Arthur River area had a population of 121. In the past the region was exploited commercially for timber and fisheries, but today is mostly a centre for tourism.

Cruises of the Arthur River depart daily and are a worthwhile and recommended undertaking for the tourists to this important area.