7th Week - Thursday - Queenstown

Up today and into town to catch the West Coast Wilderness Railway.  We had wanted to do the full day trip from Strahan but as it was booked out we chose the half day one from Queenstown.  The railway was built in the late 1800's  and transverses some of the steepest grades in the world using the rack and pinion system and was repaired and opened to tourist in 2000's.  They have 3 steam trains that rotate to pull the refurbished carriages.  The trip stops at Rinadeena Saddle where you get out and walk on the bridge over the track to look down on the train.  Next station is Dubbil Barril where you get off for a 15 minute rainforest walk.  Back on the train for the return trip to Queenstown.  On the return trip you stop at Lynchford Station where you get off and pan for gold.  Unfortunately we didn't find any.   The train passes through rainforests and runs beside the Queen River and then to King River Gorge.  An enjoyable trip although now glad we didn't do the full day as rattling around for half the day was enough.  After lunch we went to the train workshops and had a tour around where they do the engines and carriages up.   Grabbed a coffee and then some groceries before back to the van for the night.