STRAIT · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND CHARTERERS
The Bass Strait
Bass Strait separates Tasmania from mainland Australia, on the coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney. On Melbourne to Sydney it saves 31 nm: 550 nm through it, 581 nm without.
Voyages through the Bass Strait
Real voyages NaviBoss plans through the Bass Strait, and the distance when the planner's padlock shuts it.
| Voyage | Through it | Without it | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne to Sydney | 550 nm | 581 nm | +31 nm |
| Melbourne to Shanghai | 5,093 nm | 5,124 nm | +31 nm |
Navigational warnings
The Bass Strait is in NAVAREA X. Keep its in-force warnings, and check the local notices and the vessel traffic service before the transit.
Questions about the Bass Strait
Where is the Bass Strait?
Bass Strait separates Tasmania from mainland Australia, on the coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney. NaviBoss places it at about 39°16.3′S 146°30.9′E, in NAVAREA X.
How much distance does the Bass Strait save?
On Melbourne to Sydney, 31 nm: 550 nm through the Bass Strait against 581 nm without it. At 14 knots that is about 0.1 days.
Which voyages go through the Bass Strait?
For example Melbourne to Sydney and Melbourne to Shanghai.
Is the Bass Strait in a piracy or war-risk area?
Not as of the date on this page: it lies in no ITF/IBF warlike area, JWC listed area or piracy hotspot that NaviBoss draws.
Other canals and straits
- Suez Canal
- Panama Canal
- Kiel Canal
- Corinth Canal
- Strait of Gibraltar
- Strait of Dover
- Bab el-Mandeb
- Strait of Hormuz
- Malacca Strait
- Singapore Strait
- Sunda Strait
- Makassar Strait
- Torres Strait
- Taiwan Strait
- Tsugaru Strait
- Bosporus
- Dardanelles
- Øresund (The Sound)
- Strait of Messina
- Strait of Sicily
- Strait of Bonifacio
- Cape of Good Hope
- Strait of Magellan
- Windward Passage
- Straits of Florida
- Strait of Juan de Fuca
- San Bernardino Strait
- Verde Island Passage
- Balabac Strait
- Pentland Firth
Avoid it on your own voyage
In the planner, tap the padlock on the Bass Strait (or any of 950 passages) and the route is re-planned the other way, with the extra miles shown. Free with an account.
Open the route planner →About our guides
NaviBoss guides are written and checked by maritime industry experts, masters and deck officers. Each one is built from the same data the planner uses, dated, and rebuilt when that data changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.
A planning aid, not for navigation. Check official charts and publications, the latest notices and your company's instructions before you rely on any figure here.