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.

Signed junction between major north-west highways
Interchanges require planned exits for towns and attractions.Gary Houston, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Coast and beach beside urban Burnie
Coastal stops need designated parking away from highway traffic.Gary Houston, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

Stanley streetscape beneath the Nut
Stanley is a worthwhile side trip from the highway, not a through stop.Richard Horvath, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Use Devonport, Burnie and Stanley to choose stops before departure.