WEST COAST WILDERNESS RAILWAY

Welcome to the West Coast Wilderness Railway

The West Coast Wilderness Railway blends captivating history with a unique story.

Stretching 35 kilometres between Queenstown and the port of Strahan, the West Coast Wilderness Railway chugs through lush rainforest to remote wilderness stations, where unique activities await. Connect with the environment, smell the crisp forest air and marvel at the cool-temperate landscape on this invigorating heritage train ride. 

The journey brings to life the traditions and stories surrounding this incredible feat, and the people who made it possible. It was built in the late 19th century to transport Queenstown’s copper riches across some of the state’s toughest terrain. 

In the 1890s, surveyors cut through hundreds of kilometres of unforgiving scrub and seemingly impassable rainforest to find a route to Strahan. Using only picks and shovels, teams of workers pushed through the brutal weather and mighty mountains against the odds to complete the line in 1899. 

A Swiss-engineered Abt Rack and Pinion system, with a central cog under the locomotive engaging the teeth of a “rack”, was installed on the steep slopes of Rinadeena Saddle, allowing trains to haul themselves up and over the one-in-16 gradient. This humanmade feat of tenacity still operates today. At the railway’s heart is its resilient local community whose memories of living and working along the railway endure to this day, despite the much-loved railway closing in 1963 in favour of road transport. When the mine closed in 1994, the locals rallied with the same fighting spirit from the late-19th century to rebuild the now defunct railway into an enchanting travel experience, helping to economically sustain the community.

The ride is a gentle journey through a remote environment. Knowledgeable guides and stewards on board recount the stories of hardship from the railway’s construction, and the tenacity of those who called the surrounding wilderness home.

Listen on to find out about this enchanting heritage train experience.

Choose your adventure

Choose from the two available train carriage types: the Heritage Carriage, or the Wilderness Carriage. 

In the Heritage Carriage, enjoy large windows and elegant, upholstered seats featuring unique Tasmanian timber. In the Wilderness Carriage, sit in booths with tables and luxuriate with canapes, local sparkling wine or juice, and a delicious morning or afternoon tea onboard. Step out onto the Wilderness Carriage balcony to immerse in the fresh rainforest environment. 

On both carriages, listen to fascinating commentary and enjoy heating and air conditioning, plus cuddly blankets if it’s a chilly day outside. You’ll also find all-access bathrooms on the platforms of each remote station.

This heritage railway is now undergoing significant work to its most remote, central sections. It was closed for several months in 2023, but a phased reopening is underway. 

Today, there are several unique train experiences available onboard the West Coast Wilderness Railway.  You can choose whether you depart from the town centre of Queenstown on the Lynchford Express service or the Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest journey. Or from Strahan on the Teepookana and King service. Listen on to learn more about both of these railway experiences.

Queenstown train departures

Begin your journey from the regal old train station in Queenstown. 

Hear puffs of warm steam emanating from inside the tunnel-like station, where a glossy engine waits to whisk you away. This charming heritage train has burgundy carriages kitted out with warm lamps; comfy booths; wide windows; and, overhead glass panels to let the natural light inside. 

As the train chugs into action, it rolls slowly through quirky Queenstown, beside Queen River – a rocky waterway running vivid-orange from historical copper mining activity. Hear stories of the resilient pioneers and the tenacity of spirit it took to build this railway.

Roll into gradually wilder and wilder terrain for 20 minutes to reach Lynchford Station, named after old pioneer Cornelius Lynch, who found a cricket-ball-sized nugget of gold in the area in the 1880s. Hear how Con’s promising find contributed to a story of debt, drama and deceit that spanned decades, while the region became a global mining powerhouse of the early 20th century.

At Lynchford Station, where pillowy grass blankets the ground, pan for gold like the old timers or browse the station’s Museum Room to learn more about the original pioneers. The station includes a video with audio from drivers that worked for the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company before the line closed in 1963.

From here, those onboard the Lynchford Express journey return to Queenstown, while the Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest passengers will board the train onwards and upwards along one of the steepest operating steam hauls in the Southern Hemisphere. Ascend 3000 metres to the Rinadeena Saddle. At Rinadeena Station, taste native pepperberry chocolate and wander the grounds.Having basked in the rich history and fresh forest air, board the original heritage steam train back to Queenstown with a new appreciation for the rugged landscape surrounding you.

Strahan’s Teepookana and King Service

This journey takes you into the wild west, along the King of rivers.

The Teepookana and King Service takes you on a two-and-a-half-hour railway ride from the quiet harbourside town of Strahan deep into the rainforest. Board a heritage diesel train led by an original 1950s locomotive and travel along the expansive Macquarie Harbour through an ancient landscape of rivers and mountains. 

Journey along the banks of the King River amongst steep sloping hills blanketed with green trees.

Chug along through the majestic, original faded-red Iron Bridge while stewards tell of those that lived and worked at Teepookana, once the fourth-busiest port in Tasmania, now a forgotten corner only accessed along the railway line.

Stop at Lower Landing Station and meander down to the riverbank, thick with vegetation. Pause here to absorb the remoteness. Ponder how life must have been for the folks who once lived here. Hear the running river, inhale the mossy air and marvel at the power of nature. At Lower Landing, relish the unique sweetness of leatherwood honey with a guided tasting. The leatherwood tree is a local species found only near the verdant waterways of the West Coast of Tasmania. It’s a prized spot for Tasmanian apiarists. Smell notes of lemon, sweet herbs and warm spice in the presence of these trees.

Board the train for the 50-minute trip back to Regatta Point Station in Strahan. This is the last remaining heritage building along the line. While you’re here, visit Tracks on Point Cafe and the station’s Museum Room, and listen to the recording of Lindon Hubbard, a friend of the railway who grew up at Teepookana in the 1930s. 

Find a quiet place to sit and reflect on the exhilarating journey, or set out on a quest for more fascinating history on the elemental west coast.

Accessibility

The West Coast Wilderness Railway tours depart year-round from Queenstown Station at 1 Driffield Street, and Regatta Point Station in Strahan. In winter, up to three departures per week leave from these stations. In the shoulder and summer seasons, tours depart both stations at least five days a week, sometimes multiple times a day. 

The West Coast Wilderness Railway offers Companion Card holders complimentary passage on the Heritage Carriage and subsidised ticket pricing on the Wilderness Carriage. Pre-booking is mandatory.

Dog guides are welcome on board – make sure you book ahead for appropriate seating. Please bring your assistant animal’s registration paperwork, and keep your pet harnessed. 

The traditional railway carriages feature narrow doorways and corridors. Because of this, wheelchairs can’t be accommodated, but compact mobility aids and folding prams are welcome onboard if they don’t limit the user in an emergency. For health and safety reasons, passengers require some mobility to be able to get on and off the carriage either by themselves or with assistance from a travelling companion. In an emergency, this involves climbing a ladder from the carriage and walking a short distance along uneven ground.

These tours feature spoken commentary. Stewards are happy to wear microphones provided by passengers that connect to hearing aids. Written transcripts of the commentary are available on request.

Visit wcwr.com.au for more accessibility information.

Queenstown is a 197-kilometre drive from Devonport and a 260-kilometre drive from Hobart. Strahan is a 266-kilometre drive from Devonport and a 300-kilometre drive from Hobart.  

Self-drive is the best way to access the west coast, with public transport often requiring an overnight stay. The 747 Tassielink bus transports people from Burnie to Queenstown and Strahan daily, stopping at both towns within walking distance of their respective train stations. Find more public transport information at transport.tas.gov.au.

Small group tours and private transport to the west coast can be sourced by contacting the West Coast Visitor Information Centre on 1800 352 200.

Accommodation close to the railway is available in both towns, including regal old hotels, modern bed and breakfasts, and other versatile options.