Murchison Highway
| Company type | Highway |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1963-12-13 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Tasmania's West Coast |
| Products | Road transportation corridor |
The Murchison Highway is a significant road located in Tasmania's West Coast area, extending from Somerset close to Burnie in the northern part down to Zeehan in the south. Officially opened on 13 December 1963, it functions as an essential transportation corridor linking towns such as Rosebery, Tullah, Parrawe, and Yolla. Prior to 1973, the segment between Waratah and Burnie was identified as the Waratah Highway.
Course
During winter months, the highway encounters difficulties including icy and snowy conditions, especially around Mount Black where incidents are common. The route between Zeehan and Rosebery is also prone to dangerous weather-related hazards during periods of cold and wet climates.
The development of dam projects by Hydro Tasmania on the upper Pieman River and Henty River resulted in supplementary roads that circumvent sections of the highway, providing more direct routes from Queenstown to Tullah on the western side of the West Coast Range.
Serving a vital role for regional transport, the highway crosses both the Mackintosh and Murchison Rivers near Tullah, where these waterways converge to create the Pieman River.
History
Prior to the establishment of this highway, access to Tasmania’s west coast was limited to travel via the Emu Bay Railway or by maritime vessels docking at Regatta Point or Strahan within Macquarie Harbour.