Murchison Highway

The Murchison Highway cuts a swath through Tasmania’s wild northwest, a 145-kilometre ribbon of bitumen that connects the port town of Burnie to the mining hub of Rosebery. This is a drive for those who crave raw, untamed landscapes: ancient rainforests, plunging gorges, and ghostly relics of the region’s tin-mining past. The road itself is an attraction, winding through the Tarkine wilderness and past the stunning Leven Canyon, with plenty of pull-offs for short walks and photo stops. It’s a route that rewards the unhurried traveller who wants to feel the pulse of Tasmania’s most rugged corner.

Highlights & What to See

• Leven Canyon – A jaw-dropping 250-metre-deep gorge carved by the Leven River. The 40-minute return walk to the lookout is a must for vertigo-inducing views.
• Hellyer Gorge – A lush, fern-filled ravine with a short boardwalk loop through temperate rainforest. Perfect for a leg-stretch and a dose of green serenity.
• Waratah – This historic mining town is home to the Philosopher’s Falls walk and the striking Waratah Falls, which cascade right through the town centre.
• Tarkine Rainforest – The highway skirts the northern edge of the Tarkine, one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests. Look for signs to short walks like the Tarkine Forest Drive loop.
• Rosebery – A working mining town with a rugged character. The nearby Montezuma Falls walk (3 hours return) leads to Tasmania’s tallest single-drop waterfall.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give yourself a full day to drive the Murchison Highway end-to-end, with at least 4–5 hours of driving time plus stops. To truly soak in the highlights, plan for an overnight stay in Waratah or Rosebery. This allows you to tackle the longer walks, like the Leven Canyon circuit (2–3 hours) or the Montezuma Falls trek, without feeling rushed. If you’re short on time, focus on the southern half between Rosebery and Waratah, where the most dramatic scenery and walks are concentrated.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – About an hour’s drive east from Rosebery, this iconic park offers world-class hiking and alpine scenery.
• Stanley – A charming fishing village dominated by the volcanic plug of The Nut, around 90 minutes north of the highway’s start at Burnie.
• Burnie – The gateway city at the northern end of the highway, with a lovely foreshore, regional art gallery, and the Burnie Park fernery.
• Corinna – A remote historic settlement on the Pieman River, accessible via a short ferry ride from the highway. Offers wilderness cruises and a cosy eco-retreat.
• Queenstown – A rugged mining town with a stark, moonscape-like setting, about 30 minutes south of Rosebery on the Lyell Highway.

Please check official sources for current details.