1 Driffield Street
Queenstown Station
Queenstown, Tasmania Australia 7467
Tasmania’s West Coast Wilderness Railway combines a heritage railway journey with the region’s pioneering history on the remote and wild West Coast of lutruwita/Tasmania. Disembark at remote stations and engage in a diverse array of things to do, such as honey tasting or panning for gold, or just drink in the environment that surrounds you.
When booking your rail journey, you are offered a choice of two comfortable carriage types. Standard carriages provide upholstered seating and snacks available for purchase along the way, whilst premium carriages offer fully inclusive catering and a welcoming glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine on boarding and access to the carriage balcony.
Onboard guides provide live commentary and will share fascinating stories of the hardships of the railway’s construction and the men, women, and children that called the surrounding rainforest their home.
Website:
https://www.wcwr.com.au/
Step onboard our heritage train at Queenstown Station for a short journey to Lynchford, a former gold town tucked just outside the valley. This experience is a simple taste of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, perfect for visitors who want a lighter heritage adventure or are short on time. Travel in our restored carriages as the train rolls out of Queenstown and into the forest. Along the way, our guides share a brief insight into the pioneers, prospectors and railway workers who shaped life on the West Coast. At Lynchford Station you can explore the nearby mine shafts and learn about the gold rush that once brought hundreds of hopeful prospectors to the area. Guests are invited to try their hand at gold panning at the site where Cornelius Lynch famously uncovered a nugget the size of a cricket ball in 1881. You can also visit the small kiosk for a drink or step inside the Pioneer's Room, where you will find a compact display of local minerals and stories that explain the region's mining history.
From $50 – $90
Family Friendly, Non Smoking, Public Toilet
Step aboard for a steam journey into the rainforest. Leaving the historic mining town of Queenstown, once connected to the outside world only by this railway, you will travel towards Rinadeena as the locomotive climbs under the power of the iconic Abt rack and pinion system. Your first stop is Lynchford. Once alive with gold fever, it is now a quiet reminder of the early days of the West Coast. Try your hand at gold panning, explore the Pioneer's Room, or wander the station grounds and nearby mine shafts to uncover more stories from the 1880s. Surrounded by dense rainforest, the train eases onto the Abt rack for the ascent towards the Rinadeena Saddle. This three kilometre section of railway is a feat of engineering and remains central to the cultural and historical significance of the line. At Rinadeena Station, step into what was once a small settlement perched on the ridge. Families who lived here relied entirely on the rack railway to come and go from their remote homes. Take a short walk through the forest, enjoy the lookout, grab a bite to eat and capture a moment with the steam locomotive before boarding for the return trip.
From $95 – $135
Carpark, Electric Vehicle Charging Point, Family Friendly, Non Smoking, Public Toilet
1 Driffield Street
Queenstown Station
Queenstown, Tasmania Australia 7467
