DESTINATION: Queenstown

Queenstown

Queenstown emerged as a boomtown of the 1890s when gold and minerals were discovered at Mount Lyell. The strange but arresting 'moonscape' that surrounds the town was caused by acid-rain during the mining era. Arguably the pink, purple and grey rocky hills do have a certain beauty.


Main Attractions

Queenstown's wide streets, old buildings and mountain setting give it a Wild West look, which can be appreciated from Spion Kop Lookout, off Bowes St. More than 1000 old photographs, documents and memorabilia make a visit to the Galley Museum worthwhile. A chairlift from Penghana Rd to old silica and limestone quarries gives magnificent views, especially at sunset. The restored historic Abt Railway which uses a rack and cog system designed for steep hills, runs to Lynchford, Rinadeena and on to Strahan.

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Nearby attractions

There are good views from the Lyell Hwy as it climbs out of town. The Mount Lyell field to the east produced more than 670 000 tonnes of copper, 510 tonnes of silver and 20 tonnes of gold between 1893 and 1994. Surface and underground copper-mine tours that commence in Queenstown. The original Iron Blow goldmine (1883) is 6km east at Gormanston, and the ghost town of Linda a further 3km. Scenic Mount Jukes Rd to the south passes the old mining settlement of Lynchford, Crotty Dam and the southern end of Lake Burbury. Near Lake Margaret, 12km north, is an historic 1914 hydroelectric power station that is still operating. There is excellent trout fishing at Lake Burbury and Lake Margaret.

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Copyright 2007, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. cmsadmin. (2005, May 20). Queenstown. Retrieved December 03, 2008, from Plan Book Travel Australia Web site: http://www.planbooktravel.com.au/australia/tas/queenstown. This work is licensed under a Universal Publishers. Universal Publishers

Region: West Coast

Sarah Island Aerial
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In an island of unique experiences, the West Coast of Tasmania is a land apart. Through its craggy mountains and World Heritage Area wilderness, you’ll see thousands of millions of years captured in the ancient rocks, wrought in volcanic fire and scraped clean by ice. In West Coast towns and villages, you’ll feel the presence of tough men and bold women who carved a boom-and- bust living from the mountains, forests and seas. more

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Lyell Tours, 1 Driffield St, Ph: (03) 6471 2388

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