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Queenstown - Cities, Towns and Localities |
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Queenstowns
is surrounded by bare hills that resemble a moonscape, a
legacy of its past copper mining days. Gold and copper were
first discovered here in the 1880s, with mining still
continuing today. It is this incredible mining heritage that
shapes the town and its surrounding landscape.
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No matter
which approach you take, either the Lyell or Murchison
Highway, your first impression is the starkness of the bare
landscape. The original forests had been cut down to fuel
the copper smelter, with the resulting sulphur fumes
staining the slopes and killing and stunting the remaining
vegetation. High rainfall washed away the topsoil, and this
combined with bushfires has taken its toll.
 Today the town retains the atmosphere
of the old boom-times, when it use to have a hotel on every
corner. The Mount Lyell Mine is still producing copper and
there are mine tours available for visitors. There are
efforts to encourage new growth on the hills that may one
day change the face of the surrounding lunar landscape to
some of its former glory. There is a
spot of Rainbow Trout fishing in the nearby Lake Burbury.
Drop into the Galley Museum with its comprehensive
collection of West Coast pioneering life and times. You can
take a leisurely tour and wander around the region exploring
some of the past history , then hop on to the restored Abt
Railway to relive the journey of the cargo as it winds its
way to Strahan. |
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The Mount Lyell Mine - The Iron Blow
This ground was first pegged by Mick and Bill MacDonough
and Steve Karlson in November 1883 in their search for
gold. The lease was worked for gold with limited success
until it was recognised as a copper mine and bought by
Bowes Kelly and William Orr in 1891. In March 1893 they
formed the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company
Limited. A lucky bonanza of high grade silver ore was a
major factor in financing Mount Lyell while the copper
smelter and the railway to Strahan were built. From 1893
to 1895, 849 ton of ore was sold assaying 21% copper and
1,023 oz of silver per ton. Subsequently The Blow was
worked until 1929 and yielded 5,497,468 ton of ore
assaying 12% copper, 2 oz silver per ton and 0.065 oz
gold per ton.
Commemorating the Lyell District Centenary November 1983 |
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Abt
Wilderness Railway
Driffield St, QUEENSTOWN TAS 7467
The
original steam railway was built by the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway
Company to transport ore and supplies between Queenstown and Strahan.
When the price of copper collapsed in 1963, the railway was abandoned. |
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Today the historic Abt Wilderness Railway has been restored offering
visitors a breath-taking journey along 34 kms through the King River
Gorge, stopping occasionally at walkways for a closer view of the
forests and river.
The
steam train departs from Queenstown and Strahan Railway Stations, being
Australias only rack and pinion railway. This is a unique journey
through the world-renowned rugged western coastline, a journey through
pristine wilderness areas on 1:16 gradient and crossing 40 original
restored bridges.
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Bronze Sculptured Monument
The 21 bronze sculptured
plaques mounted on conglomerate boulders as a monument at
Miners Siding were built to celebrate over 100 years of
mining.
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 The
Iron Blow
Drive to the Iron Blow, scene of the
original ore strike.
Galley Museum
Driffield St, QUEENSTOWN TAS 7467
Ph: 03 6471 1483 Fax: 03 6471 1483
Browse through the
comprehensive collection of West Coast pioneering life and
times. There is a large collection of photos, household
appliances, china, silverware, work place, sporting and
social club memorabilia. Open 7 days a week.
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Lake Margaret Lake Margaret Power Station
Built by the Mt Lyell Mining and
Railway Company, the Lake Margaret Power Station began operating in 1914,
providing electricity for company mines and associated townships.
The lake itself is located up on Mount Sedgwick. The catchment area is only 20
square km, but rainfall in the region is high. Once the 200 metre long dam was
built it raised the level of the original lake some six metres.
In 1985 the Lake Margaret Scheme was brought by Hydro Tasmania, with a leasing
agreement allowing the Mt Lyell Mine to continue operating the power station
until the mines closure in late 1994.
Hydro Tasmania was to then announce the closure of the power station from 1 July
2006, after the result of a decision to decommission the 68 year old wooden
pipeline that takes the water from Lake Margaret to the power station. The
operation and maintenance of the pipeline are no longer viable due to its age
and condition.
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Source: Hydro Tasmania
Other Power Stations - Lake Margaret Power Station
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Scenic Drive
There is a scenic drive that takes
you through Pioneers Cemetery, the Bird River and the ghost
town of Pillinger at Kellys Basin on the banks of Macquarie
Harbour.
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Spion Kopf
Visit the rhododendron garden at the top
of Spion Kopf, used during times of war as a lookout. From
here you can enjoy panoramic views overlooking the township,
mine and mountains.
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Queenstown Tours
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TAS Tours
Outback
Eco
Adventure National Tours |
Mount Lyell Mine Tours
Underground and surface mine
tours operating daily. The one hour surface tour of the
famous 107 year old Mt Lyell Copper mine is a great
introduction to Queenstown. There is a 5 km down the main
decline to a depth of 250 m below sea level tour.
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