Lynchford Express

This journey is on one of our operating Abt Steam Locomotives. More about our Rolling Stock

Step onboard our heritage train at Queenstown Station for a short journey to Lynchford, a former gold town tucked just outside the valley. This experience is a simple taste of the West Coast Wilderness Railway, perfect for visitors who want a lighter heritage adventure or are short on time.

Travel in our restored carriages as the train rolls out of Queenstown and into the forest. Along the way, our guides share a brief insight into the pioneers, prospectors and railway workers who shaped life on the West Coast.

At Lynchford Station you can explore the nearby mine shafts and learn about the gold rush that once brought hundreds of hopeful prospectors to the area. Guests are invited to try their hand at gold panning at the site where Cornelius Lynch famously uncovered a nugget the size of a cricket ball in 1881.

You can also visit the small kiosk for a drink or step inside the Pioneer’s Room, where you will find a compact display of local minerals and stories that explain the region’s mining history.

After your visit, reboard the train for the relaxed return to Queenstown Station. It is a short experience that offers an easy introduction to the railway and the stories that continue to shape this part of the West Coast.

Premium Carriage

Our premium carriage offering, featuring upholstered booth seating for up to 26 passengers. Each booth has a small table between the seats. Your fare includes a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice accompanied by canapes on departure and a light meal service during your journey. This carriage also offers a balcony, perfect for up close and personal images with our wonderful locomotives, or the wilderness surrounds as you wind your way through the rainforest.

Standard Carriage

A comfortable carriage with upholstered booth seating for up to 40 passengers. Blankets are provided for those chilly days. These replica carriages are popular with groups and families during school holidays and have been lovingly crafted by our expert inhouse team.

Frequently Asked Questions

We do recommend booking around 4-6 weeks in advance where possible to secure your preferred journey. In the peak summer months, you may need to consider booking further in advance to avoid missing out.

Tickets can be purchased on the day if availability allows, this is more often in the off-season winter months or due to a late cancellation.

Give one of our friendly reservations team members a call on (03) 6471 100 to explain, where possible we will simply switch your booking to the correct journey. This will depend on seating availability on the other journey and day of travel, however we will do our best to help get you back on track.

Currently our steam trains operate out of the Queenstown station, on our Rinadeena, Rack and Rainforest, and Lynchford Express journeys.

The steam engines are needed at this end of the line to run the Rack and Pinion section of the track.

Usually, yes. During one half of the journey you will face in one direction, but once the train travels in the opposite direction (on the way back to your original departure station), so will you. This means you will face backwards either during the first or second half of your journey. As the train moves quite slowly, motion sickness is exceptionally rare, however, should you have any concerns about this, please call our team directly at least 24 hours prior to your departure.

Not always, no. Heritage diesel locomotives were used on the section of line between Strahan and Dubbil Barril from the 1950s, and they are still in service. If your journey travels along the Abt Rack and Pinion section, however, you will definitely be onboard a steam train.

Stopping

  • Queenstown Station
  • Lynchford Station
  • Return to Queenstown Station

Premium Class*

  • Adult
    $90
  • Child
    $90
  • Family
    N/A

Standard Class*

  • Adult
    $50
  • Child
    $30
  • Family
    $130
Buy Tickets
*Subject to availability at checkout

the Hubbard’s from Teepookana

Lindon was born in Strahan and grew up living at Teepookana with his family during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, his father worked on the line.

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Gold at Lynchford!

The search for gold began near Lynchford from the early 1860s…

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Find a way or make a way

When Edwin Bowes Kelly decided a railway was the only way to transport mined copper through this rainforest, he had to tackle many, many problems.

One of these was to make his way over and down a hill that was twice as steep as any rail engineer of the day would ever tackle…

Read More

Highlights

Steam Locomotive

Journey lead by one of our four original steam locomotives in operation. These Abt engines were used on the line when operated by the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Co from 1896, making them 120+ years old! They have been restored and continue to be maintained regularly by our railway.

Gold Panning

The area around Lynchford was initially explored in the early 1860s when it was believed it may have been a potential source of gold deposits, but its inhospitable environment deterred settlement at the time.19 years later a gold nugget the size of a cricket ball was discovered, sparking the West Coast's gold rush, Try your hand when visiting the Lynchford Station, you may have the technique to keep the nugget of gold in the pan, but the question is... will you share how lucky you really were?

Rainforest Immersion

Our railway travels through some of Tasmania’s most cool, temperate rainforest, which receives over three metres of rain a year! The temperate climate here encourages unique species to grow and thrive and allows the opportunity for our passengers to see an incredible selection of rainforest flora and fauna, both from the carriage windows and up close at our station stops. These include trees such as the Southern Beech Myrtle, Huon Pine, Leatherwood and large Man Ferns.

Live Commentary

With such a long history to share, stories from the line are never in short supply, this includes the interesting ones that we have chosen to go into a little more detail about onboard. Sit back, relax, and enjoy hearing just some of these incredible tales.

More Journeys

A steam train climbing the Rinadeena saddle with the assistance of the Rack and Pinion. A view of the rack in between the rail line in front of the train, rainforest surrounds and steam pouring from the locomotive's chimney.

Rinadeena, Rack & Rainforest

Step onboard this steam train experience headed deep into the rainforest, where you will journey through the historic mining town of Queenstown, once cut off from the world except for the existence of this unique railway, and travel to Rinadeena ascending along the famous Abt rack railway.

More Info Buy Tickets

Rinadeena Footplate

Join the Driver and Fireman aboard an original Abt steam locomotive, ascending the 1:16 gradient under the power of the Abt rack and pinion system to Rinadeena Saddle and back again.

More Info

Still not sure?

Ask the question...

Still unsure which journey might be for you, or have further questions about the journeys. Contact our team for more information, as we look forward to being able to welcome you aboard!

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The King River following in between rainforest surrounds on either side. A hill behind the river in the background covered by more trees and forest.
The leaves of a native tree in the rainforest.