The west coast of Tasmania has always held true to a distinct identity which endures to this day. It is based on geography and a history of isolation from the rest of the island. The mountain ranges running down the west of Tasmania are a natural barrier to the more populated eastern regions of the island, and flourished through exporting lumber and valuable minerals. Despite this, no roads existed to the east coast until 1932.

In 1974 broadcaster Tim Bowden interviewed various Huon piners and miners, who remembered West Coast life back almost to the turn of the 20th century. Since then all the interviewees have passed on, but have left their stories immortalised in these recollections.