Tasmania · Attraction
West Coast Wilderness Railway
Heritage rails through rainforest
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The West Coast Wilderness Railway threads more than 34 kilometres of heritage track between Queenstown and Strahan, climbing through cliffs, crossing wild rivers and plunging into cool-temperate rainforest. The flagship journey uses an Abt rack-and-pinion system to haul the train up a dramatic 1-in-16 gradient from Queenstown Station.
Built between 1896 and 1899 to service the Mount Lyell copper mines, the railway is one of the great engineering achievements of colonial Australia. The rack section near Queenstown rises steeply through eucalypt forest before the train levels out into dense rainforest at Rinadeena Saddle, where leatherwood, myrtle and sassafras close in on either side of the track.
Passengers choose between Heritage Carriages with upholstered seats and snacks for sale, or Wilderness Carriages with fully inclusive Tasmanian catering, a welcoming glass of sparkling wine and access to an open balcony. The flagship journey departs Queenstown Station mid-morning and runs approximately three hours return.
Additional shorter journeys offer alternatives for those with less time. Queenstown Station has a gift shop and a cafe.
Scenic views
