Best Motorcycle Roads in Tasmania
Our choice of the best motorcycle roads in Tasmania
Tasmania is Australia’s second-smallest state, but it is probably the most diverse one in terms of landscape. It offers a great escape from the summer heat of the mainland and an opportunity to experience stunning wild nature. From temperate rainforests, rugged mountains, alpine lakes, sandy white beaches with turquoise waters and grassy plains dotted with pastures – it’s a perfect place for your next adventure riding trip!
After 48 days of riding and over 4,500 km covered all around the island, we want to share with you our choice of the best motorcycle roads in Tasmania.
Jacob's Ladder
If you’re up for a little adventure, want to take photos of your motorcycle among imposing scenery or maybe just have a mission of ticking off as many roads from dangerousroads.org as you can, make sure to put Jacob’s Ladder on your list.
About the road
Surrounded by towering dolerite cliffs, Jacob’s Ladder is steep hair-pined gravel ascend leading to the Ben Lomond Plateau. It is located in Ben Lomond National Park about 50km from Launceston, approximately 1500m above sea level.
The zig-zag climb will make your heart beat faster and reward you with amazing mountain views on the top. The road itself is hard gravel with some deep gravel patches on the sides and in the corners. There are also safety barriers in the most critical sections. Some extra space in each turn allows you to stop and make a passage for the descending vehicles.
The weather at Jacob’s Ladder is unpredictable and can change quickly. It is of course recommended to climb it on a sunny day for the best visibility. Even with clear skies, it can be very cold and windy, so if you’re on a motorbike, be sure to wear warm gear (heated handgrips help as well!).
Western Explorer
Also known as the road to nowhere or more boringly C249. This iconic road is one of the best ways to explore the wilderness on the Tasmanian West Coast.
About the road
The Western Explorer Highway is roughly 150km long and connects the towns of Arthur River in the north and Zeehan in the south. Passing through seemingly unending button grass plains and temperate rainforests, the road allows you to experience the remoteness and beauty of the Tasmanian West Coast.
There are no towns along the road except an old mining settlement of Corinna. It’s a popular spot for exploring the surrounding wilderness and offers some limited accommodation (almost always booked out during summer). From there you need to take a ferry (locally known as Fatman) to continue your journey. Make sure to check the barge operating times to avoid getting stuck.
The whole road is gravel, but in good condition as even little 2WD can make it.
Road to Devil’s Gullet Lookout & Lake Mackenzie
A scenic ride up the mountains rewarded with spectacular views of the Tasmania central alpine region.
About the road
It’s about 20km drive from Mole Creek to the Devil’s Gullet turn-off and then about 14km drive up gravel road. After a while of riding in the forest you reach the plateau and have your breath taken away by the wild rough landscape around you. With no one around, you can imagine for a moment being the only person in the world, lost in nature.
On the plateau there is a little car park from where you can take a short walk to Devil’s Gullet Lookout and admire the unspoiled land of central Tasmania. If you continue further along the road on the plateau, you will reach Lake Mackenzie, a nice spot for a little lunch break.
The dirt road to Devil’s Gullet and Lake Mackenzie is in relatively good condition, but depending on the weather in can become very slippery. There is also a possibility of snow and ice, especially on the plateau. Even on a sunny day, it can be quite cold, so make sure to take some warm riding gear with you (heated grips help as well!).
Lyell Highway
Taking you through a variety of landscapes from twisty mountain roads, alpine lakes to grassy hills, Lyell Highway is one of the most popular roads for motorbike riders in Tasmania.
About the road
248km long Lyell Highway connects Hobart and Queenstown. The west section of the road passes through Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park giving you a glimpse into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The whole road is good smooth tarmac, but with lots of sharp corners. The section just outside of Queenstown up to Derwent Bridge is especially twisty (it is known as “99 bends”), but offers amazing mountain views. Be careful not to get distracted by the landscape while taking a corner!
The road can of course be done in one day, but it’s worth making at least one stop at Lake St Clair National Park near Derwent Bridge and go for a hike or two.
Legerwood to Launceston through Mathinna
Delightfully remote roads passing through beautiful mountains and forests of the often-underexplored central east Tasmania.
About the road
The road is about 130km long and combines tarmac and dirt sections all in good condition. It’s just one of these roads that you simply enjoy riding, looking around your surroundings and emptying your head for a little bit. On your way, you will pass near Mathinna which was one of our favourite little towns in Tasmania as well as a turn-off to Ben Lomond National Park where you can try riding up Jacob’s Ladder.
If you have time this route is a good alternative for the St Helens – Launceston ride which is usually done via the A3 route or the A4 highway. If you don’t want to miss any of the local attractions (like beer drinking pigs!) you can take the scenic A3 route from St Helens to just past Branxholm and then instead of continuing on the A3 turn south on to C423.
Mole Creek to Strahan
Strahan is a must-go destination in Tasmania. Not only because of its remote location and interesting past but also because the road leading to the town offers unforgettable landscapes of the Tasmanian wild west.
From Strahan, you can ride on picturesque dirt roads to see Ocean Beach and Macquarie Heads. At Macquarie Heads, try making your way onto the beach for a liberating ride along the coast (for 4WD, dirt bikes and quads mostly).
About the road
The road from Mole Creek to Strahan passes through the alpine plains near Cradle Mountain and then descends to the increasingly wild desolate landscapes of the Tasmanian west traversing towns of Tullah, Rosebery and Zeehan. The road is 205km long, paved and in perfect condition.
Gordon River Road & Scotts Peak Dam Road
Journey deep into the Tasmanian wilderness to see the impressive Gordon Dam, giant Lake Pedder and tiny town of Strathgordon.
About the road
Gordon River Road is 85km long and starts the township of Maydena. The road was built to enable the construction of several dams which resulted in the flooding of Lake Pedder, transforming it (together with Lake Gordon) into the largest inland freshwater storage in Australia. It leads through Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, creating a truly unforgettable ride surrounded by forests and mountains. The road ends with impressive views of the Gordon Dam. The whole road is paved and in good condition. However, this region of Tasmania has record amounts of annual rainfall, so be mindful of slippery surfaces.
If you’re up for a bit more off-road adventure you can head down Scotts Peak Dam Road which turns-off the Gordon River Road about 29km past Maydena. Tall forests, button grass plains and towering mountains on the horizon await you. The road is about 40km and entirely unsealed but in good condition. There are camping spots near the end of the road as well as Red Knoll Lookout from where you can admire the vast rugged landscape of South-West National Park.
As both roads are passing through remote areas, there are limited options for fuelling up in Strathgordon and Maydena (may not always be open or not have the type of fuel you need).
St. Helens to Eddystone Point
Ride through plains and forests to reach the northern end of the Bay of Fires and a beautiful lighthouse.
About the road
Eddystone Point is about 55km from St. Helens. You will ride through tranquil grassy fields, forests and coastline bushes. The road is mostly dirt but in good condition. The last section leading to the lighthouse is a bit rougher (lots of holes and bumps), though not particularly difficult. Compared to others, this road may not offer jaw-dropping landscapes along the way. However, you will be handsomely rewarded at its end with the views of turquoise waters and huge granite blocks covered with orange lichen – trademarks of the famous Bay of Fires.
