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Lyell Highway: New Norfolk to Derwent Bridge, Central Highlands, Tasmania
Photo: Gary Houston · CC0

Drives Tasmania, Australia Hobart and Southern Tasmania

Lyell Highway: New Norfolk to Derwent Bridge

Lyell Highway, Hamilton Road, A10 · New Norfolk → Derwent Bridge

Sweeping84 mi2 hr 5 min7,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,700 ftOne way
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The drive

The Lyell Highway (A10) climbs from New Norfolk up the Derwent valley into Tasmania's Central Highlands. It crosses the river at New Norfolk, rises through hill country to Hamilton and passes through Ouse, the only other town before the former hydro-electric town of Wayatinah. It is 134.4 km (83.5 mi) and takes about 2 hr 5 min.

The road was realigned in the 1940s to follow the Derwent past Tarraleah so construction vehicles could reach the hydro works. The Ouse to Tarraleah section opened in August 1940. Beyond Tarraleah the road climbs out of the Nive River gorge. At Brontë the Marlborough Highway (B11) branches off toward Great Lake.

The drive ends at Derwent Bridge, roughly midway between Lake St Clair to the north and Lake King William to the south. A travel guide recommends stopping at the Wall in the Wilderness there.

Along the way

  1. New Norfolk (Lyell Highway)
  2. Ouse
  3. Tarraleah
  4. Derwent Bridge (Lyell Highway)
Elevation
7,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,700 ft
New NorfolkDerwent Bridge
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
New NorfolkDerwent Bridge
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Fuel and services are few after Ouse, so start with a full tank.
  • Black ice is a winter hazard, and snow often falls around Derwent Bridge, sometimes closing the road for days.
  • Landslip repairs and roadworks can reduce the highway to a single lane with a lower speed limit, so check for current works.
  • 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 the Lyell Highway from New Norfolk to Derwent Bridge take?

The Lyell Highway from New Norfolk to Derwent Bridge is 83.5 miles (134.4 km) and takes about 2 hr 5 min.

Does the Lyell Highway close in winter?

The Lyell Highway has no seasonal closure, but snow often falls around Derwent Bridge and has sometimes closed the road for days. Black ice is a winter hazard, so check Tasmania Police road conditions.

Are there many towns on the Lyell Highway between New Norfolk and Derwent Bridge?

No. After Hamilton, Ouse is the only other town before the former hydro-electric town of Wayatinah, so start with a full tank.

What is at Derwent Bridge?

Derwent Bridge sits on the Lyell Highway roughly midway between Lake St Clair and Lake King William, and has the Wall in the Wilderness.

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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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: New Norfolk to Derwent Bridge, from New Norfolk to Derwent Bridge