Under steam
with Sam Bosch

The west coast in winter is full of surprises. Heritage train ride with fancy ice-cream? Why not – you're out west after all.

As the hum of a heritage locomotive builds and steam fills the station, groups of animated passengers gather on the platform, readying for departure. On crisp mornings such as this, surrounded by misty mountains beneath a low, slate-grey sky, the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s Queenstown station is a hive of activity.

Why winter brings out the West Coast Wilderness Railway’s best

The heritage railway is popular year-round, but it’s during winter that West Coast Wilderness Railway carpenter Sam Bosch reckons it’s at its finest.

“You've got steam going past the windows and the rain running down,” Sam says. “It's nice to just get cosy with the blankets on the carriages and enjoy the ride.”

The timber-lined heritage carriages hark back to another era, with warm hues and historic detailing that Sam says is one of his favourite parts of the job: “A lot of that uses old-fashioned joinery techniques.”

Your journey through west-coast rainforest

The railway’s historical role in connecting Queenstown with the rest of the world is a story of tenacity. Built in the late 19th century, the track required impressive feats of engineering to transport riches from Queenstown’s mines across incredibly rugged terrain to the harbour at Strahan.

For a long time, this was the only way to get around on the west coast.

Today, the railway is all about sitting back and enjoying the journey. On most days of the week, visitors can jump aboard a either steam locomotive in Queenstown or a heritage diesel locomotive in Strahan and venture into otherwise inaccessible tracts of lush cool-temperate rainforest, dotted with endemic species such as man ferns, leatherwood and Huon pine.

Join in during the Off Season and you’ll get a fancy ice-cream to munch on during the journey too.

A Tasmanian winter dessert on board

There's no such thing as too cold for ice-cream. In fact, if you hate your ice-cream melting before you eat it all, this might just be the perfect experience.

West Coast Wilderness Railway has teamed up with renowned Tasmanian chef Rodney Dunn (co-founder of the Agrarian Kitchen) and boutique dessert company Pure Pops. Together they’ve developed a chocolate-coated leatherwood honey ice-cream finished with Tasman Sea Salt for guests to enjoy onboard during the Off Season.

While you’re at it, here are some offers to experience out west this Off Season.

Winter in the west

For Off Season visitors, there’s plenty to see and do during a stay in the island’s wintry west.

This verdant region is the wettest part of the state, with an annual rainfall of 2400mm nourishing the rainforest. But that doesn’t stop locals from getting out amongst nature. 

“I've grown to really love winter,” Sam says. “You've got to look for the magic and the atmosphere. There's a bit of rain, a bit of mist.”

This rainfall feeds some of Tasmania's best waterfalls, from Hogarth Falls a short jaunt from Strahan's town centre to the photogenic Nelson Falls (a must-do stop on the drive to the coast) or the precipitous gush of Horsetail Falls near Queenstown.

After a day out and about, retreat in the high hills over Queenstown at Penghana Bed and Breakfast, a National Trust mansion built in 1898. Or cosy up by the fire at SeaHen Lodge – port wine and late checkout included.

For anyone wanting to fully immerse in the Tasmanian winter, Sam suggests taking time to look around and embrace it for what it is. Oh, and always come prepared…

There's a saying, ‘There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’.

"So get yourself a raincoat, something warm… some sturdy shoes. And get out on the streets".