From the East & South Coasts and Hobart
In Tassie we drive by time - not distance. Because of the
terrain around Tasmania, our guests tell us regularly that
the average speed over distance is around 80 kph.
The distance from Hobart to Strahan is around 300 km,
and without stops we recommend the travelling time to be
around 4½ to 5 hours.
From Hobart take National Highway 1 to Bridgewater.
Veer left onto the A10, and cross the Derwent River at
New Norfolk. The A10 is the road all the way to
Queenstown.
The first half of the journey is fine and it is around
Wayatinah that you start entering the more heavily
timbered country and winding roads.
Hamilton is about an hour from Hobart, and 10 minutes
further along there is a good Takeaway Roadhouse on the
right at Ouse - and it's the last food and fuel stop until
Derwent Bridge.
Derwent Bridge (177 km out of Hobart) is about another
hour from Hamilton. The following places are available to
rest and/or enjoy a meal or coffee.
- Derwent Bridge Hotel: Open for meals and tea & coffee is available.
- Derwent Bridge Roadhouse: Fast food and fuel available.
Just five kilometres on the right (at the bridge itself) is
Lake St Clair. The Parks & Wildlife Interpretive Centre
here is very good. There is also a cafe, great for light
lunches, morning tea and souvenirs.
On leaving Derwent Bridge you enter the World Heritage
Area.
There are a number of really good sites to stop and have a
break and enjoy the fantastic scenery. Make sure you have your Parks Pass, which can be purchased from any Parks & Wildlife Office (Lake St. Clair is a good place to
purchase one).
- The King William Saddle is on the left about 10- 15 minutes after leaving Derwent Bridge. It is shown as a sign depicting a camera and says "scenic lookout"
- Travelling down Mt. Arrowsmith, at the bottom on
the left is Franklin River Nature Trail. This is a
great flat 40 minute circular walk, alongside the
Franklin River and then the Surprise River.
- You can see Frenchman's Cap on your left regularly as you travel through the area, and there is also a walk to Donaghy's Hill (on the left). A little steeper but worth it.
- As you come down Victoria Pass on the right is Nelson Falls. Now this is a great 30 minutes flat walk with a great waterfall at the end. A very good spot to take a breather as there is still over one hour to go to get to Strahan.
From here you cross Bradshaw Bridge which is over Lake
Burberry, travel along through the almost ghost towns of
Linda & Gormanston, and up and over the Iron Blow. And
now comes the tricky part, as the drive down Mt Lyell is
very winding and caution is recommended. At the bottom
is Queenstown.
Turn right at the bridge and travel the three kilometres up
the hill (which isn't so winding). At the top turn left onto
the B24 and it is now 43km to Strahan. But, be warned
that it will take you up to 45 minutes to drive the distance.
Half way along is a lookout on the left which shows great
views along the ravine to Queenstown.
When you come into Strahan the BP service station is on the right, followed by the Strahan Supermarket. At the intersection turn right into Harvey Street and Castaway is 150 metres along, on the right. Congratulations, you made it!
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