Queenstown, Tasmania

Queenstown - the town

Queenstown (pop ~3400) is the largest town in western Tasmania. The mine at Mt. Lyell has sustained Queenstown since the late 1800's when gold, silver and copper were discovered. Queenstown sprang up in no time as a typical "frontier town", but in recent years has been somewhat more subdued, with the future of the Mt. Lyell mine repeatedly being questioned. In 1995, it was decided to continue mining into the next century, relieving some economic pressures. 

Renowned for the rugged uncompromising approach to it's town centre from the steep winding and ruggedly picturesque West Coast Highway, Queenstown offer a unique insight into the culture of days past, when the entire economy of the West Coast relied heavily on the mining industry.

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Eric Thomas Galley Museum

The development of Queenstown and the West Coast are featured in more than 900 photographs displayed in the 23 rooms of this museum. The pre-1940s photographs were collected and the museum established by Mr Eric Thomas. There are also items of household equipment and personal effects, old documents, coins, cameras from the 1930s, a display of early theatre projectors, antique mantel clocks, a collection of kerosene lamps, medallions, badges and chinaware featuring the Royal Family from Queen Victoria to the present. Watch the video on Mount Lyell, Queenstown and the Abt Railway in the early 60s. - A Century of Copper, Eric Thomas by Charles Woolley and Story of Lyell; Long Live The King, while enjoying a refreshing cuppa.
 

Nearby Gordon and Franklin Rivers and associated National Parks offer some of the best wilderness scenery in the world.  You can travel by car, on foot, via helicopter, sea plane, coach or hire care into these areas and soak up the marvel of its pristine environment.  Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, this national park protects Tasmania's great western rivers the Franklin, Gordon, Jane and Denison and the remote mountain ranges where they rise. The Lyell Highway (A10) cuts through the national park on its way to Queenstown, entering the World Heritage Area just west of Derwent Bridge. Take time to stop and explore the rainforest bordering the road there are excellent short walks at the Franklin River, Donaghys Lookout and Nelson Falls. Picnic facilities are also available at some roadside stops through the national park.

The hills around Queenstown were stripped of timber to fuel copper smelters, and rain subsequently eroded the soil, leaving the purple and gold rock exposed. The strangely naked mountains are quite a sight from the highway going into Queenstown, and in the evening can provide for spectacular photographs. 

Over 20,000 kg of gold has been mined at Mt. Lyell since 1888. Tours of the mine are available (although expensive) and include a visit to the mine face.  Within Queenstown, the Gallery Museum has historic photographs and memorabilia from the west coast's heyday. There is a chairlift which affords patrons a view of the denuded hills. 

Just east of Queenstown is the original Iron Blow open cut goldmine, and the ghost town of Linda. At Lake Burbury, the Newall Creek Rainforest Reserve has a viewing platform and signs pointing out the various native pines. To the west, it is possible to walk along the disused mine railway to Zeehan. 

Lake Burbury

This dramatic hydro lake surrounded by mountains and west coast wilderness is just east of Queenstown on the border of the World Heritage Area. The trout fishing is excellent and there are picnic, barbecue and boat launching facilities.
 

Queenstown is approximately a 4:00 drive from Hobart, 3:30 from Launceston and 2:30 from Burnie. It has one 3½-star and four 3-star accommodations (RACT rated), plus backpacker facilities.  
 

We recommend only fully licensed and insured/registered International Travel Agents.
If you are considering booking we recommend the following travel agents:
Australian Discount Travel & Tours,
Travel With A Cause Inc (a not for profit travel agency assisting several projects in many developing countries).

We recommend Australian Discount Travel & Tours for both Australian and international travel bookings