Towns
PATHS ARE MADE NOT FOLLOWED
Queenstown
People of the valley
Nestled in a valley between Mount Lyell and Mount Owen, Queenstown is the largest town on the West Coast.
Surrounded by dramatic hills that provide stark evidence of a history that once made it one of the richest mining towns in the world.
Today, Queenstown is experiencing a rebirth with a growing tourism and arts culture.
Population
1804
Not for the faint hearted
West Coast Wilderness Railway, Lynchford Station
Like the look of Queenstown ?
Plan your trip around this place
The drive into Queenstown from the South is nothing short of spectacular - if not a little stomach churning as you wind your way down the 99-bends of the Gormanston Hill.
Mount Sedgewick and Mount Owen are the two largest mountains that surround the town. At sunset their summits blaze with orange and pink and by day they resemble a cratered moonscape - created by a brutal mining past.
Queenstown is the home of the ABT Railway - opened in 1897 to transport copper to Strahan - the only way to get the ore to market. This railway was the only access through to Queenstown until 1932 when the road to Hobart was opened. Visitors can now journey along the same tracks on board the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
Spend your time visiting art galleries, museums, lookouts and surrounding Lake Burbury (created in in the 1980s after the flooding of the King River) whilst taking the time to delve a little deeper to learn it's history - there's always a local keen to share a story.
Suggested Itineraries:
Popular in and around Queenstown
Horsetail Falls
Take a short walk on the edge of a mountain to discover a seasonal 50 metre waterfall at the foot of Mount Owen. The falls are best seen after heavy rain or in the winter/spring period but even during summer you'll experience magnificent mountain views.
from Queenstown
Spion Kop Lookout
Named after a battle in the Boer War, climb this short but steep walkway to enjoy fantastic 360 degree views of Queenstown. With some mining and heritage exhibits along the way and interpretation information at the top to help you learn the names of key landmarks, Spion Kop can help you truly appreciate Queenstown.
Nelson Falls
Break up the long drive and stretch your legs - you won't be disappointed. Nelson Falls are reached after an easy 20 minute return (1.4km) boardwalk stroll beside a river through a forest of sassafras, myrtle and ferns. The falls are especially spectacular after heavy rain.
from Queenstown
Places to stay near Queenstown
Comfort Inn Gold Rush
Cosy, spacious rooms with Queen sized beds as standard in a Quiet location. FREE WiFi. Comfort Inn Gold Rush offers quality motel accommodation in Queenstown. The motel offers 26 comfortable, spacious, well appointed rooms for singles through to families.
from Queenstown
Comstock Cottage
A comfortable cottage kept cosy in winter and cool in summer. You'll enjoy the luxury of sleeping in a lovely queen size four poster bed in the main bedroom. Comstock Cottage is a good base for exploring the many attractions of the old mining town of Queenstown.
Empire Hotel
Built-in 1901 the Empire dates back to the wealth of the mining era at the turn of the 20th Century. It is the grand old lady of the West Coast and has a prominent facade in the town streetscape. Inside is a National Trust listed staircase made from Tasmanian Blackwood.