What is the Bass Highway?
Q: What is the Bass Highway?
A: The Bass Highway is a highway in Tasmania, Australia that is part of the National Highway, named National Highway 1. It connects major cities across the north of the state - Burnie, Devonport and Launceston.
Q: Who was the highway named after?
A: The Bass Highway is named for explorer George Bass.
Q: What towns does it connect?
A: The Bass Highway connects the following towns: Launceston Prospect and other Launceston suburbs Hadspen Carrick Hagley Westbury Exton Deloraine Elizabeth Town Sassafras Latrobe Devonport Forth Ulverstone Penguin Burnie From Burnie, it also connects Somerset Wynyard Smithton Marrawah.
Q: How has it changed over time?
A: As part of the National Highway, there have been many changes to the highway. In the 1980s it was made longer to join the southern exit at Launceston which connects to the Midland Highway. Almost its entire length has been re-aligned to allow for dual carriageway, overtaking lanes, and bypassing small towns such as Carrick and Hadspen in 1980s and Deloraine in early 1990s. The longest stretch of highway - Hagley-Westbury bypass - was completed in 2001.
Q: How does this affect local economies?
A: People living in small towns no longer get passing trade due to these changes so 'old' highways are promoted as tourist routes instead. For example on section between Latrobe and Somerset which is more commuter than tourist route so local economy doesn't rely on passing tourists anymore.
Q: Where are coordinates for this highway located?
A: Coordinates for this highway are 41°02′47″S 145°53′41″E / 41.04639°S 145.89472°E / -41.04639; 145.89472
