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Lyell Highway: Derwent Bridge to Queenstown, West Coast Range, Tasmania
Photo: Gary Houston · CC0

Drives Tasmania, Australia Launceston, the North and the West Coast

Lyell Highway: Derwent Bridge to Queenstown

Lyell Highway, A10 · Derwent Bridge → Queenstown

Twisty56 mi2 hr3,700 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,800 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the western half of the Lyell Highway (A10), from Derwent Bridge across the West Coast Range to Queenstown. It runs through Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, 90.3 km (56.1 mi) in about 2 hours, with three twisty stretches and a high point near 2,800 feet.

Nelson Falls is a short, easy walk from a roadside car park in the national park, and the Franklin River Nature Trail and Donaghys Lookout are two more short walks beside the highway. Lake Burbury was made by damming the King River, and the road was rerouted to a narrow point where the Bradshaw bridge could cross the lake.

The highway reached Queenstown in November 1932. The name comes from Mount Lyell, where copper was found, and the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company dominated the town's economy for almost a century.

Along the way

  1. Derwent Bridge (Lyell Highway)
  2. Nelson Falls
  3. Queenstown (Lyell Highway)
Elevation
3,700 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,800 ft
Derwent BridgeQueenstown
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
Derwent BridgeQueenstown
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The plateau between Derwent Bridge and Mount King William is often closed in winter by ice and snow, and rockfalls can also block the road.
  • Parks Tasmania requires a pass to enter its national parks, so check before stopping at the walks in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
  • The highway winds down into Queenstown at the end of the drive.

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 the Lyell Highway from Derwent Bridge to Queenstown take?

The Lyell Highway from Derwent Bridge to Queenstown is 56.1 miles (90.3 km) and takes about 2 hr.

Does the Lyell Highway close in winter between Derwent Bridge and Queenstown?

The plateau between Derwent Bridge and Mount King William is often closed in winter by ice and snow, and rockfalls can also block the road. Check Tasmania Police road conditions.

Where is Nelson Falls on the Lyell Highway?

Nelson Falls is in Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, beside the Lyell Highway between Derwent Bridge and Queenstown. It is a short, easy walk from a roadside car park.

Why is it called the Lyell Highway?

The Lyell Highway is named after Mount Lyell, where copper was found and where the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company dominated Queenstown's economy.

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.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

All 15 drives in Tasmania, Australia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Lyell Highway: Derwent Bridge to Queenstown, from Derwent Bridge to Queenstown