Queenstown, Tasmania offers plenty of things to do and is located 260 km from Hobart or 209 km from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Devonport and only 1 and 1/2 hrs drive from the spectacular Cradle Mountain National Park. There’s natural riches & plenty of history to explore, heart stopping mountain trails to ride, as well as a creative art and artisan cultural hub. Queenstown is a convenient base for visitors to explore all that the Western Wilds of Tasmania has to offer.
Queenstown’s fascination grew in the 1880’s when hordes of prospectors arrived in search of gold. Followed by a century of copper mining, felling of trees and erosion of soils, it left it a lunar “moonscape” drawing curious visitors from across the globe. Over time, Queenstown, Tasmania is regenerating with a fast growing influx of many new residents bringing life, new skills and entrepreneurial businesses for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Travellarks have discovered The Galahs Nest which features in our Stays with a WOW Collection. Very conveniently located, it accommodates up to 6 guests and is a complete surprise the moment you walk through the doors of concrete block façade.
Wellness & Pampering
- Blys has a wonderful mobile wellness (physio, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, reiki), massage, beauty services, pamper packages, bridal parties you can arrange. Book online.
- 4Bidden Beauty Salon offers treatments ; waxing , facials , brow & lash tints , acrylic / gel nails , pedicures , manicures , spray tanning , wedding makeovers and more. Located at 63-67 Orr Street, Queenstown, Tasmania.
- Belladonna Hair Lounge for all your hair, facial waxing and tinting needs. Located at 18 Cutten Street, Queenstown, Tasmania.
- Ochre Medical Centre – 60-64 Orr Street, Queenstown, Tasmania Ph: 64951523 Open Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
- Queenstown Medical Union Pharmacy – 14-16 Orr Street. Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5.30pm. Ph: 64711651
- West Coast District Hospital – 60-64 Orr Street, Tasmania Ph: 64951550 Emergency open 24 hours
Explore & Discover
- Get a real big mountain kind of experience with mountain bikes trails, picking your way down barren ridgelines, surrounded by mountains without the trees to block the view. The West Coast of Tasmania’s former mining industry stripped the landscape, but many years later with innovation & a new perspective of land use, it brought the opportunity for mountain biking to the region. Visit Flow Mountain Biking, West Coast Mountain Biking, West Coast Council
- Roam Wilds Industrial History Tour or Nature based tours eg Lost Mines, Ancient Pines, Lake Margaret Hydropower, No Dams: Mt McCall 4×4 or Mt Owen 4×4 Experience. They also provide the shuttle bus service for the mountain bike trails
- You can also take a longish 3 to 4 hour or 10.8 hr walk – the Kelly Basin Walk classed at level Grade 3 – some bushwalking experience required, suitable for most ages & fitness level. Sturdy footwear is a must & children must be supervised. See website for details & bookings or Ph: 0407049612
- Be a spectator at “The Gravel“ – the most infamous & feared football field in Australia!
- Gaze at the incredible Horsetail Falls
- Just outside of Queenstown is Nelson Falls with a drive along the A10 (Lyell Highway), found between Queenstown & Derwent Bridge you’ll enjoy a gentle walk along a boardwalk to the Falls, a flowing river and admire the wonderful flora. Take sensible walking shoes, water, and accompany children. Parking and toilets available.
- Visit The Galley Museum that is housed in the 1897 Imperial Hotel, offering a unique collection telling stories of West Coast survival.
- Q Bank Gallery located at 37 Orr St, Queenstown, Tasmania
- Check out the emerald water at Iron Blow Lookout
- Take a self-guided tour through the historic Paragon Theatre & during summer enjoy dinner & an old-time classic movie.
- Check out the contemporary biennial arts festival last held in 2023 via the The Unconformity. A cultural organisation, Unconformity partners with numerous stakeholders to deliver arts-led cultural development, tourism and education projects. It endeavours to bring the West Coast of Tasmania’s region culture & history together to envision its future. Jump online to see many of its programs.
- Taste local forest honey & take a walk through the rainforest with the West Coast Railway
- Enjoy a steam train trip from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril. Visit Rack and Gorge West Coast Wilderness Train. Jump aboard the steam train for a spectacular journey through rainforests back to Queenstown along the West Coast Wilderness Railway (bucket list)
- Discover the pristine wilderness on Tasmania’s West Coast King River rafting tour or while enjoying some flat water kayaking.
- Pan for gold at Lynchford Station
- Head to Spion Kopf Lookout to get a bird’s eye view of the town & its barren hills. (You’ll find handrails along the way & textured steps for rainy days. The top of the hill gives you panoramic views of town nestled in its otherworldly surrounds. Look towards the Empire Hotel to take the best pic. The walk is 300m (return) , taking approximately 15 minutes. People with mobility issues should not attempt the walk as it is steep and has steps. Walking shoes are recommended.
- Rafting experiences: These generally begin in October. Discover pristine wilderness on one-day rafting experiences from Queenstown, with several amazing rafting experiences to choose from. Visit King River Gorge Explorer. There’s the King River Gorge Explorer, a guided flat water kayak tour through gently flowing water. Paddle at your own pace and explore creeks and waterfalls. See freshwater crayfish and other wildlife. King for the Day is a full day rafting experience in a swiftly flowing gorge to a serene river where you’ll past Huon Pines and wildlife. The Raft & Steam Experience is two adventures in one – raft down the King River to meet the West Coast Wilderness Railway deep in the rainforest at Dubbil Barril Station, experiencing a spectacular gorge, wild rainforest, huon pine, west coast pioneer relics and a different view of the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Then there’s the Pieman River Experience is gentler also available through remote forests of the Tarkine wilderness on the Pieman River. Pick-up can be arranged from Queenstown, Zeehan or Corinna.
Good Eats
- Enjoy a wine at Moonscape Wine Bar (showcasing the best of the West & North-West of Tasmania in a relaxing venue & the best beer garden (Premium Tasmanian Wines & local craft beer, a range of classic & signature cocktails, Infuse Coffee Roasters (Burnie), Tassie Cheese Plates & a range of snacks. Wed-Sat: 11:00 – 9pm & Sun 11:00 am – 7pm
- Have a beer and traditional pub meal at The ‘Grand Old Lady of the West’ at the The Empire Hotel with its prominent façade in the towns streetscape
- Enjoy Thai/Chinese/Western in a friendly local eatery, Mimso located at 65 Batchelor St, Queenstown Tasmania.
- Tracks Cafe – 1 Driffield St, Queenstown. A licensed café located in the old Queenstown train station sharing the space with the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – 7.30-8.00 Mon-Sat and Sun 7.30-4.00
- Cha No. 9 Asian Fusion located at 54 Orr Street. Queenstown. Tasmania
- Delish Pizzeria – Open 7 days 4pm – 8pm
- JJ’s Coffee Lounge – 13 Orr St (try the homemade vegetable soup)
- Broken Halo Coffee Kitchen – 7 Orr St
- Cafe 520 (best ever satay chicken pies!)
- Filis Pizza – 21 Orr St, Queenstown, Tasmania (delicious pizza)
Foodies
- Linda Cafe – 23422 Lyell Highway, Gormanston, Tasmania (nestled in the Linda Valley beside the ruin of the Royal Hotel Linda. Featuring the best of Tasmanian produce, specialising in great coffee, bagels and house made treats (awesome jam & cream scones)
Opening hours are seasonal, phone in colder months to check open. M: 0432 082 631 - Evans IGA supermarket – Orr Street. Open Mon-Fri 8am – 7pm. Sat & Sun 9 – 7pm
Retail Escapes
- Soggy Brolly graphic design studio and shared art space – 20 0rr Street. Checkout the latest exhibition of work by local artists and maybe take an original home @soggybrolly
- Miller Opals and Artworks located at 2 Orr St, Queenstown, Tasmania
- West Coast Visitor Info Centre Gift Store located at 1 Driffield St
- West Coast Ride located at 48 Orr St, Queenstown, Tasmania
- Queenstown Tasmania Community Market – Memorial Hall, 53 Orr St – homemade food, hand crafted timber items, fresh produce, craft items including quilts, toys, clothing, books.
- The Eric Thomas Galley Museum – 1-7 Driffield Street & housed in the 1897 Imperial Hotel. Offers a unique collection telling stories of West Coast survival, endurance & sacrifice, as well as providing a very personal record of the people themselves & their daily lives. Open 7 days a week 9.00 -5.00 (The museum is managed by dedicated volunteers & features 30 rooms of historical items including personal effects, documents, cameras, theatre projectors, household items, gems & minerals, military, emergency services, & mining artefacts depicting the varied aspects of West Coast heritage. (offers concession & family rates & the Galley is also a white i-visitor information centre, a Children’s University Learning Destination & a bike-friendly accredited business. Children receive a free activity pack.)
- Evans & Sons Queenstown marketplace located at 10 Orr St, Queenstown, Tasmania
- Fossick at Didley Squat antiques located at 24 Orr St, Queenstown, Tasmania
- If you’re visiting Strahan, visit the Huon Pine Shop to admire and purchase craftmanship using Tasmania’s famous Huon Pine and the aromatic oil finish created from Tasmania’s rainforest timbers.
