WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

History that moves you

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WELCOME ABOARD

Step back in history as you board a majestic steam train and journey deep into the heritage of the Tasmanian wilderness and hear tales of resilience and triumph over rugged terrain, hardship and adversity. Much more than a railway journey within a wilderness setting, the West Coast Wilderness Railway is a heritage experience that will touch your soul.

Rainforest track

Join us for an unforgettable railway journey along 35km of wild rainforest track between Queenstown and Strahan

Railway Museum

Discover the deep links between the railway and the development of Tasmania's West Coast at our Museum - entry is free

Historic rolling stock

Get up close with our historic engines and carriages, and the people who keep them rolling

Cafe and Gift Shop

Enjoy great coffee and refreshments and shop for unique mementos of your railway adventure

Explore the attractions

DISCOVER TOURS

Queenstown Explorer

Take a full day to experience the complete West Coast Wilderness Railway journey, from Strahan to Queenstown.

Rack and Gorge

Take a half-day journey through the wilderness, from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril and the King River Gorge.

River and Rainforest

Take a half-day train journey deep into the wilderness, from Strahan to Lower Landing and Dubbil Barril.

Footplate Experience

Spend an unforgettable morning, working alongside the crew of an historic steam locomotive.

Steam Hydro and Lost Mines

Combine two amazing tours to explore Queenstown's industrial heritage at a great package price.

Raft and Steam

Raft the King River Gorge then take an unforgettable steam train journey through the rainforest back to Queenstown.

Christmas in July - River and Rainforest

Celebrate a cool-climate Christmas with a train journey through the Tasmanian rainforest in winter.

Christmas in July - Rack and Gorge

Celebrate a cool-climate Christmas with a steam train journey through the Tasmanian rainforest in winter.

Christmas in July - River and Rainforest

Celebrate a cool-climate Christmas with a train journey through the Tasmanian rainforest in winter.

Christmas in July - Rack and Gorge

Celebrate a cool-climate Christmas with a steam train journey through the Tasmanian rainforest in winter.

Steam Hydro and Lost Mines

Combine two amazing tours to explore Queenstown's industrial heritage at a great package price.

Queenstown Explorer

Take a full day to experience the complete West Coast Wilderness Railway journey, from Strahan to Queenstown.

Rack and Gorge

Take a half-day journey through the wilderness, from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril and the King River Gorge.

River and Rainforest

Take a half-day train journey deep into the wilderness, from Strahan to Lower Landing and Dubbil Barril.

Footplate Experience

Spend an unforgettable morning, working alongside the crew of an historic steam locomotive.

Raft and Steam

Raft the King River Gorge then take an unforgettable steam train journey through the rainforest back to Queenstown.

DISCOVER STORIES

SEE ALL STORIES

Not just a steam train,
It’s a heritage to explore

The Kerrisons

Dairy farmers at Dubbil Barril

The Kerrisons

Railway fettler Cecil Kerrison supplemented his income by starting a dairy farm deep in the rainforest at Dubbil Barril

EXPLORE THIS STORY

Not just a steam train,
It’s a heritage to explore

James Crotty

The man who discovered the west's riches

James Crotty

it was said that if you pulled grass up by the roots at Iron Blow, the gold would sprinkle out of it.

EXPLORE THIS STORY

Not just a steam train,
It’s a heritage to explore

Dr Roman Abt

Inventor of the Rack and Pinion Railway

Dr Roman Abt

Dr Carl Roman Abt was a Swiss engineer, inventor and entrepreneur who would have a profound impact on the people of Tasmania’s west coast.

EXPLORE THIS STORY

Not just a steam train,
It’s a heritage to explore

Anthony Edwin Bowes Kelly

Father of the Railway

Anthony Edwin Bowes Kelly

In 1891, Bowes Kelly saw an advertisement from a fellow Irishman who was seeking an investor for his gold mine at Iron Blow in Tasmania

EXPLORE THIS STORY

The Kerrisons

Dairy farmers at Dubbil Barril

Railway fettler Cecil Kerrison supplemented his income by starting a dairy farm deep in the rainforest at Dubbil Barril

James Crotty

The man who discovered the west's riches

it was said that if you pulled grass up by the roots at Iron Blow, the gold would sprinkle out of it.

Dr Roman Abt

Inventor of the Rack and Pinion Railway

Dr Carl Roman Abt was a Swiss engineer, inventor and entrepreneur who would have a profound impact on the people of Tasmania’s west coast.

Anthony Edwin Bowes Kelly

Father of the Railway

In 1891, Bowes Kelly saw an advertisement from a fellow Irishman who was seeking an investor for his gold mine at Iron Blow in Tasmania

FEATURED NEWS

Timetable and operational updates

December 31, 2019

Tours operating as scheduled

A West Coast tradition lives on with the Australia Day Picnic Train

November 28, 2019

During the early years of the twentieth century, the Mount Lyell Picnic at Strahan was the major annual social event.

Our online gift shop is now open

November 20, 2019

A selection of mementos is now available via our online gift shop, and we can post them at very reasonable rates.

Gift vouchers available

November 17, 2019

We can arrange gift vouchers for any value, which can be emailed and printed as a last-minute gift.

Railway is Tasmania’s Top Tourism Attraction

November 11, 2019

West Coast Wilderness Railway named state's best Tourist Attraction at the 2019 Tasmanian Tourism Awards.

Ernie Dingo rides the West Coast Wilderness Railway

September 9, 2019

It was our very great pleasure recently to host Ernie Dingo and his crew aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Tracks to Adventure

August 15, 2019

Let the West Coast Wilderness Railway lead you to incredible outdoor activities and adventures on Tasmania's West Coast

Historic rail car to be restored in Queenstown

A historic rail car, similar to one that operated on the Mount Lyell Railway in the 1960s, is coming to Queenstown

Timetable and operational updates

January 2, 2020

Tours operating as scheduled

A West Coast tradition lives on with the Australia Day Picnic Train

November 26, 2019

During the early years of the twentieth century, the Mount Lyell Picnic at Strahan was the major annual social event.

Gift vouchers available

November 25, 2019

We can arrange gift vouchers for any value, which can be emailed and printed as a last-minute gift.

Our online gift shop is now open

November 20, 2019

A selection of mementos is now available via our online gift shop, and we can post them at very reasonable rates.

Railway is Tasmania’s Top Tourism Attraction

November 13, 2019

West Coast Wilderness Railway named state's best Tourist Attraction at the 2019 Tasmanian Tourism Awards.

Tracks to Adventure

October 7, 2019

Let the West Coast Wilderness Railway lead you to incredible outdoor activities and adventures on Tasmania's West Coast

Ernie Dingo rides the West Coast Wilderness Railway

September 10, 2019

It was our very great pleasure recently to host Ernie Dingo and his crew aboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Historic rail car to be restored in Queenstown

A historic rail car, similar to one that operated on the Mount Lyell Railway in the 1960s, is coming to Queenstown

GETTING HERE

FROM:

HOBART

LAUNCESTON

DEVONPORT

CRADLE MT

Cradle Mountain to Queenstown

110km | 1hr 30 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

Devonport to Queenstown

181km | 2hrs 35 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

Hobart to Queenstown

260km | 3hrs 40 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

Launceston to Queenstown

296km | 3hrs 30 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

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