Jacob’s Ladder, Tasmania: Is this Australia’s scariest road?
On the Ben Lomond Road near Launceston, Jacob’s Ladder is a series of six hairpin turns climbing up to the Ben Lomond Plateau. There’s a lookout over the road at the top.
Jacob’s Ladder, Tasmania, is one of the scariest drives in Australia. It’s a series of tight hairpin turns on the Ben Lomond Road, climbing up towards the summit of Ben Lomond Mountain.
The Ben Lomond Road – aka the C432 – is just under 18km long. It starts at Upper Blessington, 42km east of Launceston. The road climbs up to the ski village on the top of the 1,500m-high Ben Lomond Plateau.
Hairpin turns on Jacob’s Ladder, Tasmania
Jacob’s Ladder, however, is by far the most famous section of this road. It features six hairpin turns as the Ben Lomond Road painstakingly makes its way up the escarpment. The road is unpaved, and subject to ice and snow well outside the usual winter months. From June to September, snow chains are required.
Jacob’s Ladder is not paved, but it is kept in relatively good condition. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but not absolutely essential.
Jacob’s Ladder lookout
Once you’ve completed the hair-raising drive up Jacob’s Ladder, there is a lookout where you can gaze down upon what you’ve just conquered. Pull over for a photo, because you’ve earned it.
Most visitors head into the Ben Lomond National Park for the skiing, but it’s worth coming in summer for the wildlife.
Bennett’s wallabies and wombats are regularly spotted around the ski village, while pademelons tend to hang out in the gullies.
Australia’s scariest road?
Whether Jacob’s Ladder is Australia’s scariest road is a matter of interpretation. It’s not as rough and remote as the likes of the Canning Stock Route in Western Australia, and it doesn’t involve crocodile-filled river crossings like Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park. But for sheer photogenic drama, Jacob’s Ladder, Tasmania, is tough to beat.
More Tasmania travel
Take a psychedelic ride on the Mona Ferry in Hobart.
Swim at Splash Devonport.
Check out the strangely vivid Little Blue Lake, Tasmania.
Go trout fishing in Lake Burbury near Queenstown.