Sumac Road
37 km
distance
23 min
Contour time
8.7
avg score
Sealed
surface
Scenery
Tasmania
Sumac Road runs through the northwestern corner of Tasmania, approaching the Tarkine from the Smithton direction. This...
Road quality
8.7 RQS
Exceptional. Consistently high curviness, surface, and low traffic.
Accessibility
Fully sealed
Best in Sports car. Peak season: Year-round.
7-day forecast
Good paved surface through northwest Tasmania's wet forest belt with consistent corners and rainforest atmosphere. Sports car or motorbike both work well. The Tarkine rainfall keeps sections damp year-round. Pair with Rapid River Road for a full northwest circuit.
Scored 8.7/10 by Contour's road quality algorithm across curviness, surface, elevation and traffic. Best suited for sports car drivers.
The road
Sumac Road is the companion to Rapid River Road in northwest Tasmania and together they form one of the best driving circuits in the state. The 37-kilometre sealed road approaches the Tarkine from the Smithton direction through wet forest that transitions into temperate rainforest as the road pushes south. The character is different from Rapid River - the road is slightly longer, the terrain more varied, and the forest transitions more gradually. The Tarkine rainforest that begins at the southern end of Sumac Road is Australia's largest temperate rainforest and one of the most significant in the southern hemisphere. The myrtle beech and horizontal scrub character of the northwest is distinct from anything in eastern Australia. The surface is good and the traffic is almost non-existent. The Arthur River 30 minutes south from the circuit offers a boat cruise through the Tarkine rainforest on one of the cleanest rivers in the world.
Sumac Road is the companion to Rapid River Road in northwest Tasmania and together they form one of the best driving circuits in the state.
Why this road
The region
Sumac Road runs through the northwestern corner of Tasmania, approaching the Tarkine from the Smithton direction. This is the edge of Australia's largest temperate rainforest - the myrtle beech and horizontal scrub character of the Tarkine starts here. The area was settled for farming and timber but significant forest remains.
Before you go
Fuel in Smithton. Road is open year-round. Northwest Tasmania receives some of Australia's highest rainfall - surfaces carry moisture and can be slippery. Mobile coverage is limited. Very light traffic. Pair with Rapid River Road for a half-day northwest circuit.
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Flag itWorth stopping for
Arthur River
30 minutes south - one of the cleanest rivers in the world. The boat cruise from the mouth through the Tarkine rainforest is a Tasmanian highlight.
Smithton
The main service town for northwest Tasmania - basic facilities and the start point for Tarkine exploration.
Route
Start
Smithton area
End
Sumac
Gallery
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