The Bass Highway links Launceston with Devonport, Burnie, Wynyard, Stanley and Smithton. It is the north-west coast’s principal freight and passenger road, not a quiet touring lane.
Launceston to Devonport
The route crosses the Meander and Mersey districts via interchanges and bypasses. Deloraine and Latrobe require deliberate exits. Allow extra time for freight, works and peak ferry traffic near Devonport.
Devonport to Burnie
This section stays close to Bass Strait and passes turn-offs for Ulverstone, Penguin and coastal beaches. Fast traffic and divided-road sections mean spontaneous shoulder stops are unsafe. Use signed exits and formed parking.
West of Burnie
The highway continues through Somerset and Wynyard before crossing rural country towards Smithton. Weather and wildlife become more important on late journeys. Stanley is a side trip, not directly on the through-road.
Use Devonport, Burnie and Stanley to choose stops before departure.