If you’re planning to do a full loop around Tasmania, chances are you’ll be driving from Cradle Mountain to Strahan (or vice versa) at some point during your trip. This part of Tasmania feels completely different from the island’s drier east coast, with dense rainforest and small communities shaped by mining, hydroelectricity and forestry.
The drive from Cradle Mountain to Strahan is roughly 150 kilometres and doable in 2.5-3 hours. But with a handful of historic towns, trout fishing lakes and magnificent waterfalls to discover along the way, we don’t see a reason to rush the journey.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s clarify that there are actually two ways to drive from Cradle Mountain to Strahan and they’re both roughly equal in length and duration.
In this article, we’ll be focusing on the route that passes through Tullah, Rosebery and Zeehan before skirting the coast south to Strahan. The alternative route passes through Queenstown, a fascinating former mining town that’s definitely worth exploring. But it’s easy enough to add this to your itinerary after visiting Strahan, either en route to Hobart or if you’re driving back up north.
If you don’t want to drive yourself, consider hiring a private driver and crafting a customised Tasmania itinerary. Visiting Cradle Mountain without a car is possible!
Read on to discover our recommended stops between Cradle Mountain and Strahan, whether you’re doing the drive in a day or spreading it over a few.
Stop 1: Tullah
Distance from Cradle Mountain: 63 kilometres
Driving time: One hour
Tucked among the dense forests of Tasmania’s west coast, Tullah is a quiet settlement with an intriguing industrial past. It’s around an hour’s drive from Cradle Mountain – far enough that you’ve got some distance behind you and about that point where you’ll probably want to stretch your legs.
Sitting on the shores of Lake Rosebery, Tullah is the perfect place to do just that!
The story of Tullah began in 1892, when silver-lead deposits were discovered near Mount Farrell. The prospect of mining drew people to this isolated corner of Tasmania, gradually transforming the area into a small settlement. Mining shaped the community’s early years, while hydroelectric development later brought further changes to the landscape.
Reaching Tullah was once an adventure in itself. Before the Murchison Highway improved road access in the early 1960s, the Mount Farrell Tramway was the main means of connection to the outside world. Its little steam locomotive, Wee Georgie Wood, carried passengers, provisions and mined ore along the narrow railway.
Today, this piece of transport history lives on through the Wee Georgie Wood Railway. If you’re passing through on a weekend between October and April, you may just get the chance to ride it!
Stop 2: Rosebery and Montezuma Falls
Distance from Tullah: 14 kilometres
Driving time: 15 minutes
Continue south along the Murchison Highway to Rosebery, another historic mining town surrounded by steep hills. Mineral discoveries in the late 19th century helped shape Rosebery's development and mining remains an important part of its identity today.
Rosebery isn’t necessarily a sightseeing destination, but it’s a good place to grab refreshments (there’s an IGA here) before continuing towards Zeehan.
It also provides a gateway for exploring Montezuma Falls, a 104-metre-high cascade and one of Tasmania’s tallest waterfalls. The return hike takes around three hours, following the remnants of a historic tramway through temperate rainforest.
Along the way, you’ll pass towering tree ferns, ancient myrtles and fragrant leatherwood trees before arriving at the falls, which plunge down the rocky hillside in a horsetail-shaped stream. Listen for birdlife as you explore and keep an eye out for the ground-dwelling White’s thrush.
Stop 3: Zeehan and the West Coast Heritage Centre
Distance from Rosebery: 30 kilometres
Driving time: 30 minutes
Of all the towns along the drive from Cradle Mountain to Strahan, Zeehan is perhaps the most rewarding for history enthusiasts.
Once known as “Silver City”, its fortunes changed dramatically in the late 1800s, when deposits of silver, lead and other minerals were discovered in the surrounding hills. The rush that followed attracted miners and their families, transforming this remote settlement into one of Tasmania’s most prosperous towns.
At the height of its boom, Zeehan was the state’s third-largest settlement, with thousands of people living and working here. Although much of its former grandeur has disappeared, surviving heritage buildings and abandoned mine workings provide reminders of the wealth and ambition that once defined the area.
To learn more about Zeehan’s past, stop in at the West Coast Heritage Centre where historic buildings exhibit mining equipment, photographs and objects from everyday life. Highlights include the Zeehan School of Mines and Metallurgy collection, the Pioneer Women’s Gallery and the Gaiety Theatre, a performance venue dating from 1898.
Afterwards, take a stroll along Main Street to see the old façades and architectural remnants that hint at Zeehan’s prosperous years. Alternatively, you can stretch your legs on the six-kilometre return walk to the Spray Tunnel – an abandoned railway tunnel that was built to transport ore from the Spray Silver Mine.
Stop 4: Henty Dunes and Ocean Beach
Distance from Zeehan: 31 kilometres
Driving time: 30 minutes
As you approach Strahan, the road edges closer to the coast, where towering sand dunes and a seemingly endless stretch of beach offer a different take on Tasmania's wilderness.
The Henty Dunes rise dramatically above the surrounding coastal plain, creating a landscape that is completely different from the forests and mountains inland. Running for around 15 kilometres north of Strahan and reaching heights of 30 metres, they really are impressive!
At their base lies Ocean Beach, known for its powerful surf, wide sandy shoreline and wild, windswept atmosphere. It’s the longest beach in Tasmania and one to tick off your list. That said, this is a place to simply appreciate the raw force of nature and we would advise against swimming here.
Stop 5: Strahan
Distance from Henty Dunes: 12 kilometres
Driving time: 10 minutes
Your final destination is Strahan, a small harbour town that’s pretty as a picture. Set beside Macquarie Harbour, it has a relaxed atmosphere and a history shaped by fishing, timber and mining. Today, it’s the perfect base for exploring the region's rivers, rainforest and maritime heritage.
After checking into your accommodation, take a walk along the waterfront, browse the local shops and galleries or settle in for dinner overlooking the harbour. In the days ahead, you can cruise the Gordon River, learn about the penal history of Sarah Island and perhaps even ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
Tips for Driving in Tasmania’s Wild West
The drive from Cradle Mountain to Strahan is one of Tasmania's most scenic and the landscape here feels quite different from other parts of the state. One moment you're surrounded by alpine peaks and cool rainforest; the next you're exploring mining towns, following traces of historic railways or standing on a windswept beach beside the Southern Ocean.
That said, the weather can be unpredictable out here – it’s not called the “Wild West Coast” for nothing! So we’d recommend checking the forecast before departing Cradle Mountain and always allow extra time in case unfavourable driving weather rolls in.
Due to the forests that surround much of the route, it’s also important to watch out for wildlife. Native animals may be present, especially around dawn and dusk (when we’d recommend not being on the roads). For more Tasmania road tripping tips, check out our article here.
Lastly, the times mentioned in this article are indicative only and if you’re planning on doing longer walks or extended museum visits, you might want to spread the drive across two or three days. Also, keep in mind that daylight hours in the winter are considerably shorter than in the summer months, so plan your itinerary accordingly.