Trial Harbour is a small shack settlement on an exposed coast west of Zeehan. It served as a landing place for the mining district before rail to Strahan reduced the port’s role. Today it has very limited services and should be approached as a remote community.

The road is part of the trip

Trial Harbour Road includes bends, narrow sections and changing surfaces. Carry fuel, food, water and a first-aid kit from a larger town, allow for oncoming traffic and avoid driving at dusk where possible.

Winding road through steep west-coast terrain
Remote west-coast roads require time, fuel and conservative driving.Scott Davis, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Ocean conditions are severe

Reefs, rips, cold water and Southern Ocean swell make the shore hazardous. Do not infer swimming safety from calm-looking water. Fish or surf only with the necessary local knowledge, equipment and weather window.

Rough ocean breaking along exposed Tasmanian coast
Southern Ocean swell can make apparently accessible shores dangerous.Ian Cochrane from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Remember that people live here

Keep driveways and turning areas clear, manage noise and take rubbish out. Camping, fires and facilities are subject to current local rules and fire restrictions, which should be checked before departure.

Remote road crossing open west-coast country
Conditions and services should be checked before leaving Zeehan or Queenstown.Steven Penton from Bakers Beach, Tasmania Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Queenstown and Strahan provide larger service bases. Corinna belongs to a different remote-road plan and should not be added casually to the same day.