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Gordon River Road to Strathgordon, Southwest Tasmania
Photo: Tyson Millar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Tasmania, Australia Hobart and Southern Tasmania

Gordon River Road to Strathgordon

Gordon River Road, B61, Kallista Road · Westerway → Strathgordon

Sweeping56 mi1 hr 35 min6,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,200 ftOne way
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The drive

Gordon River Road (B61) runs west from Westerway, through Maydena, to Strathgordon on the shore of Lake Pedder. It is 90.8 km (56.4 mi) and takes about 1 hr 35 min. It is the road into the south-west of Tasmania, with forest first and open country near the lake, and a few twisty stretches near the start, in the middle and toward the end.

The Hydro-Electric Commission built it, starting in January 1964, to serve the construction of the Gordon and Serpentine dams, which flooded the original Lake Pedder. Lake Pedder and Lake Gordon together make up the largest inland freshwater storage in Australia. Strathgordon was built for the dam workers, and the Gordon Dam, completed in 1974, is the tallest dam in Tasmania at 140 meters.

At Frodshams Pass the Scotts Peak Dam Road branches off to the south. The drive carries on to Strathgordon.

Along the way

  1. Westerway (Gordon River Road)
  2. Maydena
  3. Strathgordon (Gordon River Road)
Elevation
6,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,200 ft
WesterwayStrathgordon
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
WesterwayStrathgordon
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Services are very limited. A travel guide advises filling the tank at Westerway Roadhouse before you start.
  • The road runs through Mount Field and South West national parks. Parks Tasmania requires a pass to enter its national parks, so check whether one applies if you stop.
  • Winding sections can ice over in winter, and snow is possible at higher elevations at any time of year.
  • Wildlife is on Tasmanian roads at dusk and at night.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Tasmania Police: community alerts and road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Gordon River Road from Westerway to Strathgordon take?

Gordon River Road from Westerway to Strathgordon is 56.4 miles (90.8 km) and takes about 1 hr 35 min.

Is there fuel on Gordon River Road?

Services are very limited. Fill the tank in Westerway before you start, since services in the south-west are very limited.

Who built Gordon River Road?

The Hydro-Electric Commission built Gordon River Road, with construction starting in January 1964, to serve the Gordon and Serpentine dams.

Is Gordon River Road open in winter?

Gordon River Road is a public road with no seasonal closure listed, but winding sections can ice over and snow is possible at higher elevations. Check Tasmania Police road conditions before you go.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

Map of Gordon River Road to Strathgordon, from Westerway to Strathgordon