Queenstown Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Queenstown which includes signage
Encounter Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness, ride a steam train through the rainforest and explore early 19th-century mining history deep underground.

Discover the Wild West atmosphere of Queenstown, a former mining boomtown. Tour historic mines and the Lake Margaret hydropower station built between 1912 and 1914. Explore the nearby Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and return for a drink at the town’s grand turn-of-the-century Empire Hotel.

The drive into Queenstown is unforgettable, a scenic route with 99 bends zigzagging around barren hills, previously logged for timber. See the mining and logging industries’ legacy in the rocky moonscapes. Queenstown’s heritage streetscapes include rustic miners’ cottages and a historic bank, post office and bakery.

Visit the Galley Museum, housed in a 1897 hotel, to learn about the area’s history through photographs, gemstones and memorabilia. The Empire Hotel has a staircase of Tasmanian blackwood. Enjoy dinner in its grand dining room and a drink by an open fire.

Steam locomotives on the West Coast Wilderness Railway depart from near the Empire Hotel. These historic trains provide an unforgettable journey up steep rainforested slopes and over the King River Gorge to Strahan.

Brave the depths on a subterranean mine tour that travels 6 kilometres (4 miles) underground. Descend through a copper mine to see the heritage Mt. Lyell Mine, worked from 1896. Tour the original hydroelectricity station built to power the mine, including the unusual water pipeline made from wood. Walk around the small village built here to house the workers.

Just outside Queenstown is the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a reserve of remnant forest, pristine habitats and wildlife. Hike snowy alpine trails, flowering heaths or rugged ridgelines. Go fishing or kayaking on one of the many lakes or traverse cave systems. Wallabies, tiny marsupial rats, quolls and rare parrots are among the diverse wildlife you may encounter.

View sunsets over the mountains before resting by the fire at a local restaurant or bar. Queenstown is a 3.5-hour drive from Hobart or Launceston.

Mountain View Motel Queenstown
Mountain View Motel Queenstown
2 out of 5
1 Penghana Road, Queenstown, TAS
The price is NZ$110 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
NZ$110
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this motel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions West Coast ...
7.2/10 Good! (194 reviews)
"Good value for money"

Reviewed on 14 Mar. 2024

Mountain View Motel Queenstown
Gold Rush Inn
Gold Rush Inn
3 out of 5
65 Batchelor Street, Queenstown, TAS
The price is NZ$132 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
NZ$132
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (423 reviews)
Warbudgie
"Excellent value for money spotlessly clean"

Reviewed on 29 Mar. 2024

Gold Rush Inn
West Coaster Motel
West Coaster Motel
3.5 out of 5
Batchelor Street, Queenstown, TAS
The price is NZ$171 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
NZ$171
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly motel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (454 reviews)
"Excellent property easy walking distance to the town and wilderness railway and town lookout, easy drive to other attractions."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

West Coaster Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Zeehan Bush Camp
Zeehan Bush Camp
2 out of 5
Hurst Street, Zeehan, TAS
Stay at this campground in Zeehan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an arcade/game room. Popular attractions West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum and Zeehan ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (112 reviews)
"It was blissful"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Zeehan Bush Camp
West Coast  Holiday Home
West Coast Holiday Home
Queenstown
Stay at this vacation home in Queenstown. Enjoy onsite parking, an arcade/game room, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions West Coast Wilderness Railway ...
7.6/10 Good! (8 reviews)
Spacious and Clean
"A great place to stay with a group of friends needing space. Host very good"

Reviewed on 18 Feb. 2023

West Coast Holiday Home
Queenstown Copper Country Cabins
Queenstown Copper Country Cabins
2.5 out of 5
13 Austin St, Queenstown, TAS
Stay at this cabin in Queenstown. Enjoy free parking and a kitchen. Popular attractions West Coast Wilderness Railway and Spion Kop Lookout are located nearby. ...
Queenstown Copper Country Cabins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Queenstown

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
19
" "5 - Excellent 23.45679012345679%
4 - Good
43
" "4 - Good 53.08641975308642%
3 - Okay
15
" "3 - Okay 18.51851851851852%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 4.938271604938271%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Steve
14 Mar 2020

Apart from the fantastic railway, there is unfortunately not anything else of real interest in Queenstown.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
11 Mar 2020

The museum is worth a look. Be prepared for wet weather

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Feb 2020

Library staff were amazing!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

Cute town, nice feel to it

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Jan 2020

Beautiful old town with fascinating history

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
31 Dec 2019

It is a great place for those who love mountains and nature.

Cities near Queenstown