Queenstown

Queenstown, on the west coast of Tasmania is an unusual place. In a state famous for its natural beauty, Queenstown is famous for its unnatural appearance.

Years of gold and copper mining, deforestation and air pollution from smelting have denuded the surrounding hills of Mt Lyell and Mt Owen to the point where all vegetation has disappeared and the topsoil eroded to bare rock.

Although mining is still going on, tourism is the town's big industry now, and the ABT West Coast Wilderness Railway is based there and travels along the Queen and King Rivers to Strahan.


The Queenstown "moonscape".


Orr St. - Queenstown's main drag


Mt Owen




The turntable at Queenstown Station


ABT West Coast Wilderness Railway steam engine