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Strahan to Wynyard via Murchison Hwy
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Strahan to Wynyard via Murchison Hwy

Difficulty: Trek rating 1 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 2WD Caravan Camper Motorhome Bike 
The Murchison Highway is a sealed road in Tasmania’s northwest that starts at Rayna and heads north to the town of Somerset on the coast. This trek passes through many old mining towns such as Zeehan and Rosebery, while offering spectacular mountain scenery, cool thick forests and gentle plateaus.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesStrahan
Trek
FinishWynyard
Distance200.73 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed55.82 km/hrDriving Time3 hr 35 min
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 22 Jul 2008
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 Description

For history buffs and nature enthusiasts who enjoy old settlements amid diverse natural landscapes, this highway trek has plenty. Upon leaving the picturesque waterside village of Strahan, there are opportunities to view the Henty Dunes in the distance towards the coast. The Henty Road eventually takes you to the historic mining town of Zeehan. When heading towards Rosebery, there are some hazardous sections which can be affected by cold and wet weather so take care.

Soon you will arrive at Tullah which is a former mining town on the shores of Lake Rosebery and surrounded by majestic forests and mountains. The lakes around Tullah were formed after damming for hydroelectric schemes and are now well-stocked with brown and rainbow trout (a fishing license is required to fish for them).

One of the natural highlights of the trip is driving through Hellyer Gorge State Reserve, which is a mountainous and heavily forested area, and one of the most impressive sections of the Murchison Highway. Where the highway approaches and crosses the Hellyer River, spectacular views of the gorge and forest exist. Hellyer Gorge is a popular tranquil spot, featuring a nice picnic spot and interpretive walks along the river.

 Interactive Route Map

StrahanAustralZeehanMurchison Hwy (A10) & Zeehan Hwy (B27)Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls AccessRenison BellMurchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River TrackMurchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access (via Walk)RoseberyTullahMurchison Hwy (A10) & Cradle Mountain Dev RdMurchison Hwy (A10) & Emu Bay Line RailwayFingerpostParraweHenriettaYollaUpper Mount HicksLower Mount HicksWynyard
Strahan
Strahan (pronounced "straw-n"), is a small town on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is located on Long Bay at the northern end of Macquarie Harbour. Strahan Harbour and Risby Cove are in the north east end of Long Bay.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 145.3273ºE   42.1519ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Austral
Distance: 42.18km
Average Speed: 56.24km/h
Austral
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 145.3464ºE   41.9095ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Zeehan
Distance: 3.12km
Average Speed: 46.01km/h
Zeehan
Visiting Zeehan today, it is difficult to imagine that it was once a booming mining centre with a population of approximately 10,000.
Features: Populated PlaceCaravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 145.3362ºE   41.8834ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Zeehan Hwy (B27)
Distance: 6.09km
Average Speed: 68.06km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Zeehan Hwy (B27)
Junction of Murchison Hwy (A10) & Zeehan Hwy (B27)
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 145.3865ºE   41.8786ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access
Distance: 4.41km
Average Speed: 71km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access
This junction is at a place called Melba Flats (the name of nearby railway) along the main A10 highway. You will need to turn off the highway at this point onto dirt tracks. The start of the Montezuma Falls track is within the state forest - follows signboards all the way.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 145.4039ºE   41.8429ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Renison Bell
Distance: 7.05km
Average Speed: 51.67km/h
Renison Bell
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 145.4370ºE   41.7982ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River Track
Distance: 1.89km
Average Speed: 49.95km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River Track
The Ring River Track exits onto the A10 (Murchison Highway). Turn left to Zeehan, or turn right to Rosebery/Tullah. Clearly signposted. This point is 0.6km north of the Ring River.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 145.4552ºE   41.7946ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access (via Walk)
Distance: 7.7km
Average Speed: 58.05km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 145.5302ºE   41.7900ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Rosebery
Distance: 1.75km
Average Speed: 49.53km/h
Rosebery
Founded in 1883, Rosebery was named after Tom MacDonald’s company – The Rosebery Gold Mining Company. Today this small mining town, surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls, is home to around 1500 people with the Pasminco mine being one of the big producers in Tasmania.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 145.5383ºE   41.7794ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Tullah
Distance: 15.68km
Average Speed: 43.14km/h
Tullah
Tullah a former mining town on the shores of Lake Rosebery and surrounded by forests and mountains. The lakes around Tullah were formed after damming for hydroelectric schemes and are now well-stocked with brown and rainbow trout (a fishing licence is required to fish for them).
Features: Populated PlaceFuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 145.6185ºE   41.7417ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Cradle Mountain Dev Rd
Distance: 24.92km
Average Speed: 56.53km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Cradle Mountain Dev Rd
Junction of Murchison Hwy (A10) & Cradle Mountain Dev Rd
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 145.6826ºE   41.5654ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Murchison Hwy (A10) & Emu Bay Line Railway
Distance: 7.68km
Average Speed: 64.66km/h
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Emu Bay Line Railway
Junction of Murchison Hwy (A10) & Emu Bay Line Railway
Features: Rail Crossing
Position: 145.6562ºE   41.5037ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Fingerpost
Distance: 9.53km
Average Speed: 37.56km/h
Fingerpost
The views around Fingerpost are simply spectacular with scenery of mountains and valleys of beautiful Blackwood and Myrtle forests.
Features: Populated PlaceState Forests,Reserves Point of Interest
Position: 145.6069ºE   41.4327ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Parrawe
Distance: 17.69km
Average Speed: 60.85km/h
Parrawe
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 145.5905ºE   41.2991ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Henrietta
Distance: 28.69km
Average Speed: 46.47km/h
Henrietta
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Place Name
Position: 145.6918ºE   41.1528ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Yolla
Distance: 3.96km
Average Speed: 68.85km/h
Yolla
Yolla is a beautiful rural community located on the rich farming land on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Yolla is in the midst of a rural region rich in dairying, vegetable production, beef cattle, cropping, forestry and poppy production.
Features: Populated PlaceWater Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 145.7172ºE   41.1252ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Upper Mount Hicks
Distance: 4.42km
Average Speed: 59.16km/h
Features: Populated Place
Position: 145.7282ºE   41.0888ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Lower Mount Hicks
Distance: 4.69km
Average Speed: 59.85km/h
Features: Populated Place
Position: 145.7454ºE   41.0515ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Wynyard
Distance: 9.26km
Average Speed: 57.18km/h
Wynyard
Very pleasant North Coast town with all services. A good base for exploring further west along the north coast including Rocky Cape NP and Stanley. Interesting sites are Fossil Bluff (visit info centre first) and Table Cape with its excellent views.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Position: 145.7259ºE   40.9896ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

This route is on a public highway so no permits are needed for Strahan to Wynyard via Murchison Hwy.

 Things to See & Do

Strahan   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Strahan (pronounced "straw-n"), is a small town on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is located on Long Bay at the northern end of Macquarie Harbour. Strahan Harbour and Risby Cove are in the north east end of Long Bay.
Zeehan   
Populated Place Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Visiting Zeehan today, it is difficult to imagine that it was once a booming mining centre with a population of approximately 10,000. The West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum in the main street is a popular must-see attraction for visitors to the area and there are plenty of old mining relics outside town including smelters and old mine sites.
Yolla   
Populated Place Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Yolla is a beautiful rural community located on the rich farming land on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Yolla is in the midst of a rural region rich in dairying, vegetable production, beef cattle, cropping, forestry and poppy production.
Tullah   
Populated Place Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Tullah a former mining town on the shores of Lake Rosebery and surrounded by forests and mountains. The lakes around Tullah were formed after damming for hydroelectric schemes and are now well-stocked with brown and rainbow trout (a fishing licence is required to fish for them).
Fingerpost   
Populated Place State Forests,Reserves Point of Interest
The views around Fingerpost are simply spectacular with scenery of mountains and valleys of beautiful Blackwood and Myrtle forests.
Rosebery   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Founded in 1883, Rosebery was named after Tom MacDonald’s company – The Rosebery Gold Mining Company. Today this small mining town, surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls, is home to around 1500 people with the Pasminco mine being one of the big producers in Tasmania.

 Preparation

Since there is fuel available at the major towns en route such as Zeehan and Tullah, please ensure you have adequate fuel supplies between stops. Also make sure you are comfortably stocked with food and water for the three and a half hour journey. During the winter months it can get very cold (near zero degrees) so if travelling during this time, it is essential to bring warm clothing. If you are deciding to explore around Hellyer Gorge State Reserve - make sure you bring good hiking shoes.

In some sections, the Murchison Highway is susceptible to ice and snow during winter and roads may be closed. Please keep updated with the latest weather and road conditions from the local shires. Drive safely around the steeper gradients in the mountainous regions. There are some hazardous sections of road around Rosebery and especially at the edge of Mount Black so take extreme care.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolStrahan, Zeehan, Rosebery, Tullah, Wynyard Diesel4cyl 28 litres ULP4cyl 32 litres LPG4cyl 40 litres
6cyl 31 litres6cyl 36 litres6cyl 35 litres
8cyl 34 litres8cyl 33 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

The warmer summer months are the best time to travel on the Murchison Highway as it can get very cold during the winter months. Some sections of road may also be closed due to ice and snow.

Closest Climatic Station

Luncheon Hill (Forestry)
Distance from Trek Mid Point 55.38km NW
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 20.621.118.615.5 13.011.110.711.4 12.314.616.918.5
Mean Min. °C 10.310.89.57.9 6.85.85.15.0 5.55.97.38.4
Mean Rain mm 88.257.379.299.5 168.5146.2189.4188.0 177.1141.992.290.7
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Strahan, Zeehan, Rosebery, Tullah, Yolla, Wynyard

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Strahan   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Strahan (pronounced "straw-n"), is a small town on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is located on Long Bay at the northern end of Macquarie Harbour. Strahan Harbour and Risby Cove are in the north east end of Long Bay.
Zeehan   
Populated Place Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Visiting Zeehan today, it is difficult to imagine that it was once a booming mining centre with a population of approximately 10,000. The West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum in the main street is a popular must-see attraction for visitors to the area and there are plenty of old mining relics outside town including smelters and old mine sites.
Yolla   
Populated Place Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Yolla is a beautiful rural community located on the rich farming land on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Yolla is in the midst of a rural region rich in dairying, vegetable production, beef cattle, cropping, forestry and poppy production.
Wynyard   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Very pleasant North Coast town with all services. A good base for exploring further west along the north coast including Rocky Cape NP and Stanley. Interesting sites are Fossil Bluff (visit info centre first) and Table Cape with its excellent views.
Tullah   
Populated Place Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Tullah a former mining town on the shores of Lake Rosebery and surrounded by forests and mountains. The lakes around Tullah were formed after damming for hydroelectric schemes and are now well-stocked with brown and rainbow trout (a fishing licence is required to fish for them).
Rosebery   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Founded in 1883, Rosebery was named after Tom MacDonald’s company – The Rosebery Gold Mining Company. Today this small mining town, surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls, is home to around 1500 people with the Pasminco mine being one of the big producers in Tasmania.

 Environment

The Murchison Highway provides an enjoyable winding route through spectacular cool forests along much of its length. There are some magnificent mountain views, valleys of beautiful Blackwood and Myrtle forests and rows of both natural and planted eucalypt plantations. Some of the fauna that you may see on your journey include: Forester kangaroos, Tasmanian echidnas, wombats and Bennett's wallabies.

There are sections with steep terrain mainly in the central west, which gives way to flatter less winding sections as the route proceeds to the north. The route is characterised by mining towns such as Zeehan and Rosebery in the southwest, forest plantations in the southwest and central sections, and open farmlands in the north.

 History

Construction on the Murchison Highway began in 1962 and finished in 1964. Prior to the construction, most transport from the west coast to the north was done via rail on the Emu Bay Railway or ship from Strahan/Regatta Point in Macquarie Harbour. The Murchison Highway which lies between Rayna (near Zeehan) and Somerset (on the north coast), totals 135kms and ranges from 12m to 708m above sea level.

The old mining town of Zeehan was founded in 1882 with the discovery of silver lead. This town which was dubbed the 'Silver City of the West' was once the third largest settlement in Tasmania with a population of 10,000 - today it is around a tenth of that size.

Rosebery is a mining town nestled 145m above sea level in the hills. In 1893, Thomas McDonald discovered alluvial gold along with boulders of lead and zinc sulphide in a creek on the southern slopes of Mount Black. Today, the town’s economy thrives primarily from mining zinc concentrate, and secondary to lead, copper and gold.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Strahan to Austral 42.18 km N 45 min
Austral to Zeehan 3.12 km N 344° 4 min
Zeehan to Murchison Hwy (A10) & Zeehan Hwy (B27) 6.09 km E 83° 5 min
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Zeehan Hwy (B27) to Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access 4.41 km N 20° 3 min
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access to Renison Bell 7.05 km NE 29° 8 min
Renison Bell to Murchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River Track 1.89 km E 75° 2 min
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Ring River Track to Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access (via Walk) 7.7 km E 85° 7 min
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Montezuma Falls Access (via Walk) to Rosebery 1.75 km NE 30° 2 min
Rosebery to Tullah 15.68 km NE 58° 21 min
Tullah to Murchison Hwy (A10) & Cradle Mountain Dev Rd 24.92 km N 15° 26 min
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Cradle Mountain Dev Rd to Murchison Hwy (A10) & Emu Bay Line Railway 7.68 km N 342° 7 min
Murchison Hwy (A10) & Emu Bay Line Railway to Fingerpost 9.53 km NW 333° 15 min
Fingerpost to Parrawe 17.69 km N 355° 17 min
Parrawe to Henrietta 28.69 km NE 28° 37 min
Henrietta to Yolla 3.96 km NE 35° 3 min
Yolla to Upper Mount Hicks 4.42 km N 13° 4 min
Upper Mount Hicks to Lower Mount Hicks 4.69 km N 19° 4 min
Lower Mount Hicks to Wynyard 9.26 km N 347° 9 min
Strahan to Wynyard 200.73 km     3 hr 35 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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