Day 3/8 - Tasmania West Coast Wilderness Railway

Strahan is a nice little town with some interesting attractions besides being out in nowhere on the west coast where my Optus mobile connection couldn't work. According to the locals, all mobiles won't work due to obstruction by the high mountains that cut the west coast off from the rest of Tassie unless it's a Telstra connection because Telstra is the only one with satellite service. The drive through the mountains, especially the stretch between Queenstown and Strahan is a really hairy experience. Luckily for us, there was practically no traffic so I wasn't holding aanyone up as I was doing that stretch at tortoise-speed. Luckily too, there was another route out of Strahan which we took when we left Strahan.



The West Coast Wilderness Railway is one such attraction. It runs through the mountains and valleys and over black-water rivers between the two towns. We took the half-trip from the nice ol' station (which was in very well maintained condition) in Strahan to Dubbil Barril (or was it Lower Landing) and back; packet lunch included. Half a scarey ride was enough. The river water is blackened by tannin from the indegenous trees. George Negus and friend did a little tv feature on the railway.



There was a short stop at Lower Landing for rest room break.






Local honey was displayed for test-tasting and sale. There were a few flavours of the honey. Wife bought a small bottle. She also bought a large empty pretty tin. Then on to Dubbil Barril to meet the other train coming from Queenstown, swopped some passengers, and then back to Strahan.



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