Tasmania 5

The day after the Gordon River Cruise, we were booked on a trip on the West Coast Wilderness (ABT) railway. The railway was originally built to transport ore from the mines at Queenstown to the port at Strahan. It was left unused for many years, until a recent venture to restore the track and the rolling stock as a tourist venture. We took the option of travelling by train from Strahan to Queenstown, then taking the connecting bus back. I don't seem to have a picture of the station at strahan, but this is a view of the river over the tracks near the station. Also, here is a view of the train stopped at Strahan station.

The carriages are old fashioned, with wooden seats and panelling. The track runs through some very dense rain forrest, next to three rivers, the Gordon, King and Queen rivers. In places the trees are so close that they brush against the sides of the carriage.

The King River was badly polluted by mining in the past. It is hard to see just how badly, until you reach one of the places where another river or stream flows into it. The water in the area is usually a dark "tea" colour, from Tannins in local plants leaching into the water. This shot shows the dark tanin rich fresh water mixing into the milky polluted water of the King river. The hope is that over time the pollutants will be washed down to the sea, and that the river will run clear again.

There were four stops along the way, with a chance to walk and see some of the rainforest up close.

The second stop was for lunch, which was provided as part of the fare. The food was basic but good. The other stops were just for chance to walk around and see the area near the track.

Part of the trip is a fairly standard railway, but the half of the trip nearest Queenstown is on an unusually steep grade for a train. To enable the train to climb the slope a special rack system is used, with a rack between the rails interlocking with a notched wheel on the train engine.

Here is picture of the rails, with the notched "rack" in the center.

It is hard to describe just how lovely the contryside is. The rainforest is thick and full of diversity, with something new to marvel at around each corner. The track crosses rail bridges and climbs steep grades through dense forest.

Then the train pulls in at Queenstown, and you can see the devistation that mining has made of the local hillsides.

Finally, there is the bus trip back to Strahan, which takes a lot less time than the train trip, but is also a lot less fun!

All in all, this train ride was the highlight of the trip for me. I highly recommend it.