You do not need a CAMS licence and a Porsche 911 GT3 to drive the best tarmac in Australia. Tasmania is built different. The tarmac is coarse. The corners are endless. Every year, the Targa Tasmania rally shuts down these public roads for flat-out racing.
But for the other 359 days of the year, these iconic stretches are open to the public. You can drive them in a Hyundai i30, a Ford Ranger, or your daily.
Taking your own car across the Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania is a rite of passage. It beats renting a tired hatchback from the airport. You get to tackle world-class driving roads on your own schedule.
The bottom line is simple. You just need a full tank of fuel and a map. Here is how to conquer the best Targa stages without crossing the line into dangerous driving.
Route Difficulty & Terrain
Targa roads offer challenging, high-grip coarse chip tarmac mixed with tight blind corners and sweeping elevation changes. While perfectly sealed, you will face steep drop-offs, unpredictable weather, and constant speed adjustments to navigate slow-moving campervan traffic safely.
Tackling roads like Mt Arrowsmith requires genuine respect. This 60-kilometre stretch of the Lyell Highway throws everything at your suspension. The surface is mostly excellent. Heavy winter frosts chew up the edges over time.
You will encounter long, sweeping corners that tighten up without warning. The drop-offs are steep. The guardrails are virtually non-existent in the most remote sections.
The descent into Queenstown is legendary. It features 99 bends cut into a bare, rocky landscape. You will spend most of your time in second or third gear. The camber of the road constantly shifts. It demands total concentration from the driver.
Navigating Hellyer Gorge and The Sideling
Hellyer Gorge on the Murchison Highway is a completely different beast. It is a fast, flowing section. It dives aggressively down into a deep river valley. The posted speed limit is 100km/h. The yellow advisory signs drop to 35km/h on the tightest hairpins.
If you are driving a heavy dual-cab like a Toyota HiLux, your brakes will work very hard here. Even in a sorted hot hatch, you need good rubber to hold your line. See our article on Grip vs. Life: How to Choose the Right Performance Tyres for Australian Roads for more.
Be ready to share the road. You will inevitably catch up to a rented motorhome doing 40km/h through the best sections. Patience is mandatory. Safe overtaking lanes are extremely rare in these mountains.
Airbnbs & Pit Stops
The best basecamps for a Targa-style road trip sit near Queenstown and Scottsdale. Book a secluded Airbnb with secure parking instead of packing a tent. Grab lunch at the local bakery to break up the intense driving stints.
You cannot drive all day without a break. The mental fatigue of threading tight corners adds up fast. Planning your stops is critical for a safe trip.
If you are driving a low-slung sports car or riding a sports bike, you do not have boot space for a tent. Ditch the camping idea entirely. Book a secluded Airbnb in Strahan or Queenstown for the remote west coast legs.
When booking accommodation, always check the driveway situation first. Many Tasmanian mountain homes feature steep, gravel driveways. A low front splitter will scrape instantly. Look for properties with flat, sealed off-street parking to keep your prized metal safe overnight.
Over on the east coast near The Sideling, Scottsdale is your primary pit stop. Grab a curried scallop pie from the local bakery. It is a mandatory Tasmanian staple.
Fuel and Remote Rations
Tasmania might look small on a map. The driving times are still incredibly long. A 150-kilometre journey can take three hours through the mountains.
Premium 98 RON unleaded is difficult to find outside of major hubs. Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport are your reliable fuel stops. If your car requires premium fuel, you must plan your route carefully. Fill up completely whenever you see a pump dispensing 98 RON.
Pack enough water and snacks in the boot. Mobile phone reception drops out entirely for hours on the west coast. If you get a flat tyre, you are on your own until another motorist passes by.
If you enjoy the remote twisties here, you might also want to plan a trip across the strait. Victoria offers similar thrills on The Ultimate Victorian Sunday Drive: Conquering the Black Spur and Lake Mountain.
Vehicle Preparation
Check your brake pads and fluid before crossing the Bass Strait. Inspect your tyres for at least 3mm of tread. Ensure your suspension is tight. Pack a basic toolkit for remote repairs where mobile reception disappears entirely.
Tasmanian roads strictly punish lazy maintenance. You are often miles from the nearest mechanic when deep in the wilderness. A simple mechanical failure can ruin your entire holiday.
Start with your brakes. A 10-kilometre downhill run through Hellyer Gorge will boil old brake fluid instantly. It will also glaze cheap brake pads. Flush the fluid if it is over two years old. Install high-quality brake pads before you leave home.
Check your tyres next. The coarse chip bitumen is incredibly abrasive. It grips hard but eats tread blocks for breakfast. Ensure you have plenty of meat left on the rubber. We recommend a bare minimum of 3mm of tread before you roll off the ferry.
Finally, check your tyre pressures every single morning. Tasmanian temperatures swing wildly from dawn to dusk. A crisp 4-degree morning can easily turn into a 25-degree afternoon.
That 20-degree jump significantly alters your cold tyre pressures. It directly affects how your car turns in and brakes. Pack a portable 12V air compressor in the boot to adjust pressures on the fly.
