WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

Attractions & Facilities

More than a train ride

Enjoy a delicious snack, coffee, drink or meal at one of our cafes, discover the history and heritage of the Railway in the museums or pick up a unique souvenir at our Gift Shop. We truly are more than just a train ride!

Tracks Cafe, Queenstown

Tracks Cafe at Queenstown Station serves (we reckon) the best coffee on the West Coast, along with breakfast, lunch and delicious in-betweens. It is licensed and offers a big, bright, airy, warm contemporary space in which to relax. 

Come and enjoy coffee, a drink, light meal or snack, regardless of whether or not you are travelling on the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

VISIT WEBSITERead more

Tracks on Point Cafe, Strahan

Tracks on Point is a fully licensed café located in the heritage train station in the harbourside village of Strahan on the west coast of Tasmania.

As well as being a cafe and gift shop, we are also the departure point for the River and Rainforest journey and Queenstown Explorer experience for passengers of the West Coast Wilderness Railway; one of the west coast’s most popular attractions.

Tracks on Point has a modern menu and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Read more to check opening hours and view the menu.

VISIT WEBSITERead more

Gift Shops

The West Coast Wilderness Railway operates gift shops at Queenstown Station and Regatta Point Station in Strahan.

We stock a selection of locally sourced produce, artisan products and a range of books, DVDs and clothing. Most of the products are exclusive to the West Coast Wilderness Railway and are not available anywhere else.

If you are unwell, are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or should be in isolation, we ask that you do not visit the shop until it is safe to do so. All customers are asked to sanitise their hands on entry and consider contactless payment.

VISIT WEBSITE

Rolling Stock - Diesel Engines

The West Coast Wilderness Railway operates two historic diesel locomotives dating from the 1950s and which were also acquired specifically for this line and are an integral part of our story. The Regatta Point to Dubbil Barril section of the line (travelled on the River & Rainforest journey) is where they were operated.

VISIT WEBSITEMeet our heritage diesels

Rolling Stock - Steam Engines

Three of the five original steam trains that were imported from Glasgow specifically for the railway are still in operation – Locomotive Numbers One, Three and Five. A fourth locomotive (Locomotive Number Two) was part of the Tasmanian Transport Museum collection in Hobart. It is currently undergoing a full restoration in order to return to the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Our workshop team maintain all our rolling stock, including building new carriages, which are based on original designs used on the railway.

VISIT WEBSITE

Choice of Carriage

We offer two carriage experiences, although both provide comfortable booth seating as well as heating and cooling.

Our heritage carriages are fully enclosed and provide air-conditioning and heating (although we still encourage you to dress for the weather) and provide comfortable seating for everyone. These are ideal for families and small, casual groups.

The wilderness carriages provide a more spacious environment, with booth seating and tables for up to four people at each booth. Wilderness carriage tickets include light refreshments on board and access to the carriage balcony, so you can take in your surrounds, whether that be getting up close and personal with the locomotive ahead of you, or the surrounding environment.  

VISIT WEBSITE

Museum

When you visit Queenstown Station, make sure you call into the West Coast Wilderness Railway Museum to find out more about the story of the railway and the people who created it.

The museum features interpretive displays and a collection of original artefacts that reflect the human stories of this remarkable railway – from its construction in the 1890s as a crucial form of transport between the Queenstown mines and the port at Strahan, to its rebirth as one of Tasmania’s best-loved tourist attractions.

The West Coast Wilderness Railway Museum is open whenever the station is open, and entry is free.

VISIT WEBSITE

TRAVEL TIPS

Weather

The West Coast experiences the beauty of all seasons. During the summer months, the many warm calm days provide a postcard experience whilst traveling through the rugged mountains and tannin dark rivers. During the winter months the fog enchanted landscapes provide a pleasant picturesque scene.

Many of the highest rainfall readings are found on the West Coast, specifically at Mount Read, but this is a little price to pay for the beauty held within the ancient rainforests and fast flowing rivers on the west coast.

Please visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology climate profiles for each of our centres:

Strahan

Queenstown

Zeehan

Rosebery

Approximate driving times

Travel time to Queenstown, from:

Hobart 4 hours

Launceston 3.5 hours

Cradle Mountain 2 hours

Devonport 3 hours

Derwent Bridge 2 hours

Strahan 45 minutes 

Winding mountain roads

Take care driving on mountain roads not only for bends, but also ice and, of course, wildlife. It is often swerving to avoid an animal that can cause an accident, so go slow and be prepared to stop. Dawn and dusk are when you see most animals.

Never underestimate how wild Tasmania is

Although the wilderness is easy to access, once you are out there, you are really out there. Which is what is so wonderful about it. But you need to take care. Always tell someone where you are going, try not to hike alone, sign the national park log books and have an emergency kit with you. As well as the obvious map, compass and plenty of water. Plus purification tablets. And be well packed with layers and waterproofs.

Mobile phone coverage

If you are relying on your mobile phone, check available coverage with your service provider. Mobile coverage is limited in the area, due to both topography and the sparse population. Telstra has the widest coverage in the region, but even this can be limited to major centres.

DISCOVER TOURS

SEE ALL TOURS

GETTING HERE (BY CAR)

FROM:
FROM:
HOBART
LAUNCESTON
DEVONPORT
CRADLE MT

Driving Distance
Cradle Mountain to Queenstown

110km | 1hr 30 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

Driving Distance
Devonport to Queenstown

181km | 2hrs 35 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

Driving Distance
Hobart to Queenstown

260km | 3hrs 40 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

Driving Distance
Launceston to Queenstown

296km | 3hrs 30 mins

(Queenstown to Strahan 41km | 45 mins)

INSTAGRAM

FOLLOW US