Bell Bay

Intersection Direction sign marking the start of C853 at the East Tamar Highway junction, Bell Bay. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.

Introduced: 1980

Length: 2km

Eastern Terminus: East Tamar Highway (A8) & Bell Bay Rd (C853), 3km south of George Town

Western Terminus: Entrance to the Port of Bell Bay

Route taken: Bell Bay Rd

Focal Points: Bell Bay

Responsibility: State Government

C853 is a short spur route in Tasmania's far north, providing access from the East Tamar Highway (A8) to the maritime port of Bell Bay as well as serving the adjacent industrial area. C853 is also part of the National Land Transport Network between East Tamar Highway and Mobil Road due to its significance as a port access road.

The route appears to have previously been of greater tourist significance, as reference to C853 appeared on signs as far south as Launceston. However, since then, references to Bell Bay and C853 have generally been replaced with reference to Low Head.

Photos of route C853
	AD sign northbound on East Tamar Highway (A8) approaching the junction with Bell Bay Rd (C853), 3km south of George Town. The remains of the symbolic ferry patch can be seen next to George Town, referring to the former Devil Cat service between George Town and Port Welshpool, Victoria. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	AD sign southbound on East Tamar Highway (A8) approaching the junction with Bell Bay Rd (C853), 3km south of George Town. Source: Peter Renshaw, January 2008.
	Intersection Direction signs at the intersection of East Tamar Highway (A8) & Bell Bay Rd (C853). Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	Two views showing Bell Bay Rd (C853) looking west from the junction with East Tamar Highway (A8) in 2007 and 2022, respectively. The latter shows a Transport Inspector inspecting a loaded log truck entering the port. Top photo: Peter Renshaw, June 2007. Bottom photo: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	Advance Direction sign eastbound on Bell Bay Rd (C853) approaching the junction with East Tamar Highway (A8). Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	Bell Bay Rd (C853) looking west adjacent to Bell Bay Aluminium, in the industrial area adjacent to Port of Bell Bay. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	Bell Bay Rd (C83) looking east through Bell Bay industrial area, with Temco Rd on the left. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	Bell Bay Rd (C853) looking west approaching the entrance to the Port of Bell Bay in 2007 and 2022, respectively. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007 and October 2022.
	A piece of remnant pavement adjacent to Bell Bay Rd (C853) where is has been realigned on approach to the Port of Bell Bay. Source: Peter Renshaw, June 2007.
	Bell Bay Rd (C853) looking west to the entrance of the Port of Bell Bay. The gate at the bottom of the grade marks the end of C853. This section of road was probably realigned when the eastbound climbing lane was added. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.
	View west towards the terminus of C853 at the Port of Bell Bay. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2022.