The north east region of Tasmania is an area of extreme beauty. It is a region with a fertile, productive agricultural inland, peaceful beaches, fishing villages, world class scenery and history at every turn. Remnants of a tin mining industry can be found in some of the small inland townships of the north east corner.
Launceston is Tasmania's second largest city and gateway to the northern and eastern regions. Often referred to as 'the garden city', it has many parks and reserves including the 13-hectare City Park. At its heart is the magnificent Cataract Gorge Reserve. The Tamar River links Launceston with its ocean port of Bell Bay. The Tamar Valley contains many vineyards, orchards and forest areas.
A diversity of both inland scenery, quaint old mining towns, dense rainforests, waterfalls and high mountain peaks await travellers on this interesting drive through the north eastern corner of Tasmania. For the most part the road winds its way initially past and later through mountainous country so allow plenty of time to get to where you are going.
The drive commences in Launceston, and follows the east bank of the Tamar Estuary as far as Rocherlea (8 km), where we take the Georgw Town Road exit and follow the signs to Lilydale and Scottsdale. For much of the journey between Lilydale and Herrick, the road follows the path of the new abandoned North East Railway. Services to Scottsdale via Legerwood opened in August 1889 and passed through twelve stations along the way. The line reched Herrick in March 1919. The last passenger train ran in 1978 and the line was closed to freight in 2005.
Begin the drive by leaving Launceston via the East Tamar Highway towards Newnham.
Tap on image above again to hide this section.
The Trail of the Tin Dragon has been developed to create a trail of experiences between Launceston and St. Helens that tell the tale of our past mining history. Spanning the rugged North-East,the Trail of the Tin Dragon winds its way through stunning scenery and historic townships. The Trail tells the story of tin mining in the North East of Tasmania, focusing on the European and Chinese miners who sought their fortune and risked all for this most remarkable metal. The trail begins at Launceston, and passes through Branxholm, Derby, Moorina and Pyengana, ending at St Helens on Tasmania's east coast.
The ore crushing stampers of the Anchor Tin Mine are the remains of one of the largest tin mines in the North-East of Tasmania. Once running with a maximum of 100 stampers, the mi was first opened in the early 1880?s and was the largest open cut mine in the world in 1890. As well as the 100 stamper battery the mine had a water wheel 20 metres in diameter which is no longer in evidence today. The stampers can be found north west of St Helen on the way to Pyengana.
More
This is a spectacular rail trail with lush forest vegetation that still provides views of the surrounding mountains. The trail has a good gravel surface, suitable for all weather and best either walked or ridden on a mountain bike. The trail follows a section of the railway between Scottsdale and Tulendeena (Billycock Hill) near Legerwood.
The trail starts at the old Scottsdale Railway Station in Ellenor St (accessed between the Mitre 10 Store and the railway crossing on the road). Also Kings Street (which is the main street) though no car parking. There are numerous interpretive signs to provide a background on the area and the railway. Bikes can be hires from Scottsdale Art Gallery Café and Bike Hire, and the Red Dirt Cycle Company in Scottsdale which has bikes for sale and hire.
Rail Trail Notes and Map
20 km from Weldborough (35 mins drive)
17 km from Pyengana (34 mins drive)
The Blue Tier was an unknown little part of the world until it became the centre of a forestry operations debate. "Friends of the Blue Tier" was formed to investigate alternatives to clear-fell logging and protect this beautiful area which has wild forests of giant trees, hidden waterfalls and fabulous wildlife, much of it threatened. The mountain plateau once had the world's largest open-cut tin mine with miners swarming through the forests, eager to make their fortunes. Now it is a walking destination catering for all levels of experience.
Blue Tier Regional Reserve
44 km from Launceston (34 mins drive)
Lilydale Falls (3 km ) offer an opportunity to explore temperate rainforest, have a picnic, go bushwalking, inspect the two small falls, and see two oak trees which were planted on 12 May 1937 from acorns collected near Windsor Castle on England. The oaks commemorate the coronation of King George IV.
More
37 km from St Helens (40 mins drive)
Halls Falls, located up Blue Tier, is the first attraction along the way to the Anchor Tin Mine Site and Blue Tier. There are also a number of picnic tables near the information booth, and some old mining equipment. The walk to the falls is only 30 minutes return, however if you want the full experience it is recommended that you dedicate about an hour and a half. The falls are one of the prettiest in Tasmania and are well worth leaving the main road to visit. What it lacks in sheer size it makes up for in quiet beauty.
More
37 km from St Helens (40 mins drive)
Not far from the small town of Pyengana is St Columba Falls, one of Tasmania's highest waterfalls, with water plunging 90m from the Mt Victoria foothills to the valley of the South George River. There is a delightful walk from the car park to the falls through one of the most captivating rainforests you will see in a long time.
More
5 West Street, St Helens
Serpentarium is a heated indoor reptile exhibit and museum displaying exotic captive breed reptiles, unique indigenous artefacts with gem and crystal displays. Featuring the Green Anaconda, Reticulated Python and our Indian Star Tortoises. Experience our interactive and interpretive keeper presentation at 12:00 noon daily.
More
Tap on image above again to hide this section.
28 km from Launceston (27 mins drive)
A pleasant town with gardens and cool climate bushwalks, Lilydale is nestled under the northern slopes of Mount Arthur (1187 m). It is an attractive town noted for the distinctive 'Englishness' of its gardens which mix with the appeal of the diverse range of interesting bushwalks in the district. The appeal of Lilydale (which is promoted as Tasmania's Country Garden) lies around, rather than in, the town.
Railway alignment near Lilydale Falls
Although only a short distance from Launceston (and only a few kilometres from the East Tamar Highway), the Lilydale district was not settled by Europeans until the 1850s when timber cutters began clearing the area. The township, originally known as Germantown but changed to Lilydale during World War I, appeared in the late 1870s when a track was out through the bush to the goldfields on the slopes of Mount Arthur.
More
36 km from Launcestone (35 mins drive)
8.5 km from Lilydale (2 hrs 6 mins drive)
When you see a place called Tunnel on the map, it's not hard to imagine what you'll find there. Tunnel sits near of Lebrina, off the main road just a few kilometres past Lilydale. The tunnel itself is little known and well hidden. It was part of the north eastern Launceston to Herrick railway line. Work on building the structure’s approaches began in late 1885. It would be a further two years, Mr Dix said, until the two headings met. It was another 12 months until the 700 metre tunnel ras completed. The first passenger train to run through the tunnel did so on February 2, 1889, with the state's Governor on board, but initially the line only went as far as Scottsdale.
At the time, the tunnel was a rare feature of Tasmanian railways. So rare, in fact, that the accompanying railway station was named Tunnel Station – hence, the tunnel at Tunnel. The last train to pass through the tunnel did so, carry freight, from Tonganah to Launceston, on October 1, 2004.
Location: off Tunnel Road, Tunnel, Tas.
More
Lebrina station platform
36 km from Launceston (35 mins drive)
With a population of around 200, Lebrina is located about 38 kilometres north-east of the city of Launceston. Lebrina is an Aboriginal word for “house” or “hut”. The locality was gazetted in 1964. The Denison River flows through the south-east corner. Pipers Brook rises in the south-west and flows through to the north-west. Lebrina came into existence as a siding on the north east railway for the loading of timber harvested from the surrounding forests.
Back on the main road, you will pass through the locality of Wyena. Gazetted as a locality in 1964, the name is believed to be an Aboriginal word for “small timber”, which is appropriate since its railway siding was built as a loading place for locally cut timber.
Railway line near Golconda
45 km from Launceston (43 mins drive)
Golconda is a small rural locality about 31 kilometres south-west of the town of Scottsdale. The 2016 census determined its population to be 26, which is a far cry from its heyday as a centre for gold mining activities in the area. The locality has the name of an ancient and now ruined city in India. Golconda was an old fort and city of Hindustan, famous for its diamonds. Both localities were mining centres, which might explain the use of the Indian name for the Goldfields that Golconda railway station served. The Denison River passes through from west to north-east. The locality's Aboriginal name was Wiangata, which was the township's original name.
Golconda Goldfield, Tasmania. Source: Tasmanian Archive & Heritage Office, NS787/1/4
The Golconda goldfield was in close proximity to the Denison and Lisle goldfields, towards the northern end of an upland area surrounding Mt Arthur. Gold mining proceeded in both the Lone Star and Golconda Creek valleys after 1877, being referred to separately as the Panama and Golconda goldfields. Golconda first appeared in print when prospector William Kennett applied for a 4ha lease in March 1878, the lode being anointed the Golconda Reef, the term applied to all claims in the vicinity by year’s end.
More
53 km from Launceston (50 mins drive)
16 km from Scottsdale (16 mins drive)
The locality of Nabowla is home to the Bridestowe Lavender Estate. During December and January, the famous landmark property is a stunning showcase for the agricultural and technical excellence that made Bridestowe a benchmark for fine lavender oil throughout the world. Bridestowe Lavender Farm is one of the largest producers of lavender oil in the world.
Nabowla is an Aboriginal word, either meaning 'river', or being the name of the river. When the railway station first opened it was named Lisle Road Station as it was on the road leading to the goldmining settlement of Lisle. The Town Reserve was named Pagunta, Aboriginal word meaning 'four', but this was never proclaimed. The name was changed to Nabowla in 1913.
67.5 km from Launceston (1 hr drive)
90 km from St Helens (1 hr 31 mins drive)
The area was first surveyed in 1855 and was described as the best soil on the island - well watered, with a mild climate by surveyor James Scott, for whom the town is named. This rings true today as Scottsdale, as well as being the regional centre for other north-east towns, is a major agricultural centre. Scottsdale is 22 km south of Bridport, 63 km north east of Launceston. Leave Scottsdale via Tasman Highway towards Branksholm.
More
Legerwood war memorial
24 km from Scottsdale (19 mins drive)
72 km from St Helens (1 hr 17 mins drive)
Though off the highway, the small town of Legerwood near Ringarooma is worth a visit. Legerwood was put on the map in 2005 when Eddie Freeman from Ross sculptured the trees here as a memorial to World War I soldiers with his chainsaw. The tree carvings are set in a quaint little public park with excellent public toilet and picnicing facilities, just a short detour off the main highway. There is a plaque giving the history of the men at the base of each tree. Surrounded by dairy farming and timber harvesting, nearby Ringarooma is on the edge of the mountains of the North-East, with Mount Victoria and Ben Lomond rising to the south.
More
25 km from Scottsdale (19 mins drive)
65 km from St Helens (1 hr 10 mins drive)
Branxholm is a typical north-east Tasmania timber town nestled into the rolling hills. It is notable for its saw mills and its hop fields. It has a sprawling street pattern which makes the small town spread across the valley floor. Branxholm offers the visitor good fishing in the Ringarooma River. Close to the town is Mount Horror, known for excellent scenic views
More
33 km from Scottsdale (27 mins drive)
66 km from St Helens (1 hr 5 mins drive)
This interesting former tin mining town, which wanders along a hillside overlooking the Ringarooma River, retains the atmosphere of its pioneering history. A classified historic town, it lies about halfway between Launceston and the east coast and therefore has become something of a natural stopover point for travellers. Mountain bike tourism has transformed the town and mountain bike and trail running events have been held, with many guided tours being available.
The town is proud of its mining heritage and its Derby Tin Mine Centre and The Trail of the Tin Dragon tells of Derby's early days. It is also the site of the Briseis Mine; in it's heyday one of the richest tin mines in the world. Experience the power and fury of 'A Billion Litres Of Water with nowhere to go', in the epic story of the Tin Rush and the miners who sought their fortune from this remarkable metal.
Mt Paris Dam (16.8 km from Derby, 7 km from Weldborough), on the Mt Paris Road, is the only surviving pillar and slab dam in Tasmania. Originally named the Morning Star Dam, it was built across the Cascade River using only shovels and wheelbarrows in 1937 and was connected by an 11 Km water race with the Mt Paris Mine. The mine closed in 1970 and the dam fell into disuse. In 1985, a hole was blasted into the 16 metre high wall to release the water. In the middle of the dam, most of the vegetation has now grown back, the only indication it was ever any different is the dam wall which still rises starkly before you in the middle of the bush.
More
44 km from Scottsdale (36 mins drive)
57 km from St Helens (57 mins drive)
The village of Herrick is located about 46 kilometres north-east of the town of Scottsdale. The first railway line through the area was opened on 9 August, 1889, connecting Scottsdale to Launceston. This was extended to Branxholm on 12 July, 1911 and neighbouring Herrick in 1919. Herrick was named after Jerry Herrick who was the foreman at the Anchor Mine. There is little evidence in the sleepy village of Herrick of the time when it was once one of the most prosperous tin mining towns in both Tasmania and Australia.
50 km from Scottsdale (41 mins drive)
63 km from St Helens via Weldborough (1 hr 2 mins drive)
50 km from St Helens via Ansons Bay Road (50 mins drive)
If the history of tin mining industry in the region captures your interest, then a deviation off Tasman Highway to Pioneer is recommended. The road you take, which coninues on to Gladstome after passing through the town, leads to the coast and the remains of Boobyalla, the port where chinese miners entered Tasmania on their way to the tin mines, and through which the mined tin was shipped to destinations around the world.
The town's big tin producer, the Pioneer Company mine, closed in 1930. The hole in the ground that the mine left behind -Pioneer Lake -has been flooded and is today stocked with trout and used for water sports. The tiny school at Bradshaw's Creek near the lake achieved some fame when its one-time teacher, Joseph Lyons, subsequently entered federal parliament and became Prime Minister of Australia.
7.5 km from Pioneer one way - unsealed (13 mins drive)
The township of Garibaldi on the Winiford River was first settled in the early 1880s, but the discovery of tin saw its population swell rapidly. By 1891 Garibaldi s population appears to have been at its peak when 35 cottages dotted the landscape. Like the other tin mines in Tasmania s north east, Chinese tin miners made up the majority of the town s population. Garibaldi originally had a joss house which looked like a small hall with a verandah. It had a wooden floor and contained a golden shrine, and a carved float of a golden palace and incense burner.
After the mine closed, the population quickly dwindled and by 1936 only six houses remained. Over time, the buildings became dilapidated and, in some cases, pulled down and the materials used elsewhere. Some features of the former township are still evident including part of the earthen main street, brick remains at the site of former dwellings, garden boundaries, water races and four roasting ovens.
Return to Tasman Highway, turing left towards moorina.
More
44 km from Scottsdale (38 mins drive)
53 km from St Helens (53 mins drive)
The location of the now abandoned one time major tin mining centre of Moorina is marked by the Tin Dragon Trail Monument. The solitary Chinese headstone and small 'oven' in the cemetery (turn off the main road - it is clearly signposted) recall the fact that in the late nineteenth century hundreds of Chinese arrived in the area to work in the tin mines. Back then, Moorina was known as Krushkas Bridge (after the Krushka brothers who settled in the area and opened the Derby mine) but was later renamed Moorina, after the sister of Truganini, one of the last native speakers of the Tasmanian languages and one of the last individuals solely of Aboriginal Tasmanian descent.
More
54 km from Scottsdale (47 mins drive)
44 km from St Helens (43 mins drive)
During the 19th century, Weldborough was in tin mining boom town with the largest Chinese community on any tin field in Australia. They are said to have outnumbered the Europeans. At its peak, Weldborough had about 700 Chinese miners: most of the State's 1,000 to 1,300 or so Chinese. It was the cultural centre for the Chinese miners, this was the site of mining camps, festivals and a casino. A replica statue of Guan Di resides at the historic Weldborough Hotel. At Weldborough cemetery there are numerous derelict graves of Chinese. Although most tin miners returned to China, at Moorina cemetery there is a monument in their honour, together with a stove in which to burn offerings to their spirits: testament to the fortitude of the Chinese and their contribution to the development of Tasmania.
A few kilometres to the east of the town, Weldborough Pass rises 595 metres from the coastal plain and offers excellent views on either side of the road and the range. It is known for the most spectacular fern displays that you will see anywhere in Australia. For a number of kilometres huge ferns line both sides of the road. They are interspersed with stands of blackwood, sassafras and some of Tasmania's oldest myrtle. At the top there is a lookout that offers spectacular views to the coast. The Weldborough Pass Rainforest Walk is an easy 15 minute circuit walk into the rainforest.
More
20 km from Weldborough (35 mins drive)
17 km from Pyengana (34 mins drive)
The Blue Tier was an unknown little part of the world until it became the centre of a forestry operations debate. "Friends of the Blue Tier" has been formed to investigate alternatives to clear-fell logging and protect this beautiful area which has wild forests of giant trees, hidden waterfalls and fabulous wildlife, much of it threatened. The mountain plateau they are seeking to protect once had the world's largest open-cut tin mine with miners swarming through the forests, eager to make their fortunes. Now it is a walking destination catering for all levels of experience.
Blue Tier Regional Reserve
Goblin Walk in winter
The Goblin Forest Walk is the shortest and easiest of a series of tracks on Blue Tier. It is recommended for both walkers and mountain bike riders. These walks offer a variety of experience, duration and level of challenge. Interpretation signs along the walk explore the history of the Blue Tier.
The hand-built Blue Tier Giant Track weaves unobtrusively through the landscape and divides into the Big Tree trail and a longer circuit. In addition to its stunning valley and fern-forest views, the loop track passes a number of striking tall trees, such as the ‘Cradle Tree’. It also crosses a stone-arch bridge over an agricultural water race.
Top Walks, Blue Tier Discovery Trail
15 km from Weldborough (22 mins drive)
11 km from Pyengana (20 mins drive)
The area around Pyengana had several tin mines such as the Anchor Tin Mine and Battery situated in the Pyengana Pass. Fifteen kilometres beyond Pyengana are the remnants of the mining village of Lottah where massive anchor stampers stand silently. These rusted tin crushing machines were driven by a waterwheel. At its height Lottah had 40 homes, but when the mine closed in the 1950s, the township was abandoned and all that remained was something resembling a moonscape. The site has since been reclaimed by Mother Nature.
More
19 km from Weldborough (31 mins drive)
16 km from Pyengana (32 mins drive)
The ghost town of Poimena is located on the banks of the Ransom River. At about 746m above sea level, Poimena is one of the higher localities in Tasmania. It is also one of the easternmost localities in the state. Tin miners began moving to Poimena in about the late 1870s, and within s few yeards it had a school, shops and a prominent hotel. Among the residents were Chinese tin miners, almost a thousand of whom lived and worked in the region at the time. Today, an open field lies where their houses once stood, but you can still see the foxgloves planted by Chinese miners more than a century ago, and signs point to where the town’s main landmarks were located.
Holy Cow Cafe, Pyengana
74 km from Scottsdale (1 he 10 mins drive)
27 km from St Helens (26 mins drive)
Pyengana is not nor has ever been a town, but a community that grew around the home of pioneering settlers George and Margaret Cotton who settled here in 1875 and raised a family of nine children at a property they called St Columba. The name, still used for the nearby falls, recalls Saint Columba (521-597), a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts.
The locality boasts two places of note - The Pub in the Paddock (which is exactly that) and Pyengana Dairy Company. Their Pyengana Clothbound Cheddar is one of Australia's oldest specialist cheeses. Attached to the dairy is the Holy Cow Cafe, a wonderful place to do a little cheese tasting, or to stop and enjoy a light meal as the cows on the other side of the fence jostle for a spot on the laser-guided milking machines.
Not far from Pyengana is St Columba Falls, one of Tasmania's highest waterfalls, with water plunging 90m from the Mt Victoria foothills to the valley of the South George River. There is a delightful walk from the car park to the falls through one of the most captivating rainforests you will see in a long time.
More
152 km from Launceston via Scottsdale (2 hrs 25 mins drive)
166 km from Launceston via St Marys (2 hrs 6 mins drive)
Situated on Georges Bay, St Helens is the largest town on the north-east coast of Tasmania, though it must be remembered that its population is only 2,200, so don't expect it to be a buzzing metropolis. A popular resort for fishing, swimming and other aquatic activities, its position makes St Helens a good base from which to explore the whole north-east corner of Tasmania. The town is famous for its crayfish, scallops, abalone and flounder. The Scamander River is noted for its bream. St Helens' economy is dependent on fishing, timber and tourism. And, when it comes to tourism, the town prides itself in its warmth and sunniness - the result of a microclimate produced by surrounding hills and warm ocean currents.
More
Design and concept © Stephen Yarrow | Email | W3Layouts