Road Photos & Information: Tasmania
Main Street, Heemskirk Road, Corinna Road and Norfolk Road (C249)
Statistics:
- Length:
- 128 km
- Termini:
- Northern: Rebecca Rd (C214) and Blackwater Rd (C214), Temma
- Southern: Zeehan Hwy (B27) and Henty Rd (B27), Zeehan
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Zeehan, Granville Harbour, Corinna, Balfour and Temma
Route Numbering:
- Current: C249
- XX
- Road Authority Internal Classification: 1
- A2645 (Zeehan to Corinna)
- A2810 (Corinna to Temma)
General Information:
C249 is a winding route servicing remote communities on Tasmania's west coast.
The route passes through commercial, residential and rural zones, as well as vast expanses of bushland including the Tarkine Wilderness.
Heemskirk Road is administratively called Heemskirk Tourist Road and Corinna Road is administratively known as Corinna Developmental Road.2 The Norfolk Road section between Corinna and Temma is also known as the Western Explorer Road. 3 This section is narrow, mostly unsealed and also features a vehicular ferry over Pieman River at Corinna.
Construction of the Western Explorer Road began in the early 1980s, with the first section linking Tarkine Drive (Rebecca Road (C214) and Blackwater Road (C214)) to the Lindsay River. The road was intended to boost tourism in the region. This initial section was designed and built to an 80 km/h standard, but work halted at the Lindsay River for several years due to the high cost of continuing the road to the same specification, particularly given its low traffic volume. 3
Work resumed in the 1990s, with the stretch between the Lindsay River and Corinna constructed to a significantly lower standard. This section features numerous sharp bends and short crest curves, making for a demanding and, at times, challenging drive. The portion between Corinna and Savage River is believed to incorporate segments of the original road to Corinna.3
History:
- 1980s: Construction of Western Explorer Road between Temma and Lindsay River. 3
- 1990s: Further construction works on the Western Explorer Road between Lindsay River and Corinna. 3
Zeehan to Temma
NEW Milepost:
Old milepost, Main Street, Zeehan, February 2023.
Image © Paul Rands
NEW Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign on Heemskirk Rd, Zeehan, February 2023.
Image © Paul Rands
2 TAS Government, Tasmanian Legislation, Proclamation under the Roads and Jetties Act 1935, SR-2022-068, 12 September 2022.
3 Pitt & Sherry, Feasibility Report for Sealing the Western Explorer, March 2022.