
Driving the scenic B68 in Tasmania
Tasmania, oceania
98.1 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Okay, so you HAVE to check out the B68 in Tasmania! Seriously, the views alone are worth the trip. This mostly coastal road (it's actually Sandy Bay Road and Channel Highway combined) takes you on a gorgeous 98 km (61 miles) adventure from Hobart down to the sweet little town of Huonville. Picture this: you're cruising along, the water shimmering beside you, and you're basically driving through history, since this route started as a track way back in the 1800s! Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and just soak in that incredible Tasmanian scenery.
Road Details
- Country
- Tasmania
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 98.1 km
- Difficulty
- easy
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