Gay Tripping from Hobart to Strahan: Points of Interest & Driving Tips

From the north, it’s a long and winding drive along the Murchison Highway to Tasmania’s Wild West. From Hobart in the south, it takes around 5 hours to drive the 300 kilometres and it’s a wild ride on the Lyell Highway. This route is ranked amongst Australia’s 10 Greatest Drives, so you will want to stop, see, explore and enjoy it at your pace.

You can drive to Strahan in a day, but you can also take a leisurely route. Ensure your fuel tank is full before leaving the CBD, and if you don’t have Telstra, you mobile phone will be out of range or only have limited coverage, so enjoy the scenery, the wildlife viewing and silence of the wilderness.

Hamilton is just one hour from Hobart CBD and your first stop should be Glen Clyde House, probably one of the best craft galleries in Tasmania and absolutely scrummy morning teas.

If you continue on after tea through the hydro lakes area, 40 mins later you will reach the town of Derwent Bridge - and the pub is definitely the place for lunch. Just before you enter Derwent Bridge is ‘The Wall’, by sculptor Greg Duncan…..call in and have a look.

After Derwent Bridge you descend from the plateau through 50 mins of World Heritage Area. You will pass by the Franklin River nature trails and Donaghy’s Hill on your left with spectacular views.

Take the 10 min walk to Nelson Falls; it’s worth it!

Queenstown is an old mining town and the steep descent down the Gormaston Hill gives you a view of the town. The ABT West Coast Wilderness Railway operates from both Queenstown and Strahan and the railway station is good place for coffee.

The last section of road to Strahan has many bends in it and will take about 45 minutes.

As you enter Strahan, you will see a BP station on your right and the Strahan Supermarket. At the T intersection, turn left and descend and drive straight ahead with the harbour on left. 3 mins later, as you round the corner, Ormiston House will appear on your right opposite the water. Large brick mansion with a turret and flag flying.

Hobart to Strahan Map