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Tasman Highway: Launceston to St Helens, Sideling Range and Weldborough Pass, Tasmania
Photo: gekko · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

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

Tasman Highway: Launceston to St Helens

Tasman Highway, A3 · Launceston → St Helens

Twisty98 mi2 hr 55 min7,800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,000 ftOne way
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The drive

The Tasman Highway (A3) crosses the north-east of Tasmania, from Launceston over the Sideling Range to Scottsdale, then through Derby and Weldborough to the coast at St Helens. It is 157.2 km (97.7 mi) and takes about 2 hr 55 min, with long climbs and three twisty stretches.

Derby is a former tin-mining town. In 1929 the Briseis Dam on the Cascade River collapsed after heavy rain and the flood killed 14 people, ending the town's mining industry. Since the Blue Derby mountain bike trails opened in 2015, tourism has become important to Derby and nearby Branxholm.

The tightest part of the road is the Weldborough Pass rainforest section, where ferns line the road and stands of blackwood, sassafras and myrtle close in. A short rainforest walk starts from a car park beside the highway. The drive ends in St Helens, the largest town on the north-east coast, on Georges Bay.

Along the way

  1. Launceston (Hoblers Bridge Road)
  2. Scottsdale
  3. Derby
  4. Weldborough
  5. St Helens (Tasman Highway)
Elevation
7,800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,000 ft
LauncestonSt Helens
Curves
Mostly gentle, with three twisty stretches
LauncestonSt Helens
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Weldborough Pass has hairpin bends with yellow advisory signs as low as 25 km/h; respect them.
  • The Weldborough Pass Rainforest Walk is a short loop, about 15 to 20 minutes, from a car park on the highway; the signs for it are easy to miss.
  • 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 Tasman Highway from Launceston to St Helens take?

The Tasman Highway from Launceston to St Helens is 97.7 miles (157.2 km) and takes about 2 hr 55 min.

Is the Tasman Highway twisty between Launceston and St Helens?

It is mostly gentle with three twisty stretches. The Weldborough Pass rainforest section is the tightest, with hairpin bends signed as low as 25 km/h.

Is there a rainforest walk on the Tasman Highway?

Yes. The Weldborough Pass Rainforest Walk is a short loop of about 15 to 20 minutes, starting from a car park beside the Tasman Highway.

What towns does the Tasman Highway pass between Launceston and St Helens?

The Tasman Highway passes Scottsdale, Derby, Branxholm and Weldborough before reaching St Helens.

What you get in the app

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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 Tasman Highway: Launceston to St Helens, from Launceston to St Helens