Through the boom years of West Coast mining, steam locomotives hauled a fortune in pure copper from Queenstown's Mt Lyell mine, through the rugged King River gorge and down to the Macquarie Harbour port of Strahan. From 1896 to 1963, steam billowed through the rainforest as the Swiss designed Abt West Coast rack railway dragged the train, cog by cog, up the steep 1:16 slope to Rinadeena.

Now, after 40 years, the West Coast Wilderness Railway is running again. You're able to travel through one of the world's last pristine wilderness areas crossing 40 bridges, wild rivers, and climb over 200 metres on a fascinating 35-kilometre journey from Queenstown to Strahan. Stopping at Lower Landing, Dubbil Barril and Rinadeena, your trained guides will bring to life the stories of these historic points along the railway.

For booking information on the West Coast Wilderness Railway please click here