Queenstown
Queenstown itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 days
One day covers the town and the Iron Blow lookout; two days adds the Gordon River road and a Lake Burbury stop; three days adds Strahan and the west coast. Base in Queenstown and drive — there is no useful public transport between the sights. Skip the extra day if you are only passing through to Hobart.
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GuideQueenstown
Key facts
- Days needed
- 1 for the town, 2 for the mining landscape, 3 to add Strahan and the coast
- Best base
- Queenstown itself; Strahan if you want the Gordon River cruise
- Getting around
- Drive; no practical public transport between sights
- Drive from Hobart
- About 3.5–4 hours via the Lyell Highway
- Drive from Devonport
- About 3 hours via the Murchison Highway
- Fuel
- Fill up in Queenstown or Strahan; stations are far apart
- Best months
- Nov–Apr; winter brings ice, rain and occasional snow on the passes
Which itinerary fits you
Queenstown is a small former mining town in western Tasmania, on the edge of a landscape shaped by copper mining and rainforest. Almost everything worth seeing is a drive away, so the length of your stay is really a question of how many drives you want to make.
| Time | What you cover | Cost (2026 estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Town, Iron Blow lookout, Lake Burbury | A$0–20 fuel | Enough if you are passing through |
| 2 days | Above plus the Gordon River road and Nelson Falls | A$0–40 fuel | The best value stop |
| 3 days | Above plus Strahan and the coast | A$0–60 fuel plus cruise A$130–160 | Add only if you want the cruise |
One day in Queenstown
Start in town. Queenstown's streets sit in a bare, coloured hillside that was stripped by smelting fumes a century ago, and the main street still has the old pubs and the railway station. Walk it in an hour, then drive the short loop to the Iron Blow lookout for the open-cut mine and the coloured slopes.
In the afternoon, drive east to Lake Burbury for a look at the water and the mountains behind it, or take the gravel road towards the old mining sites if the weather is dry. Finish back in town for dinner; options are limited, so book or arrive early in summer.
- Morning: town walk, railway station, main street
- Late morning: Iron Blow lookout
- Afternoon: Lake Burbury or a short bush walk
- Evening: dinner in town
Two days in Queenstown
Day one as above. On day two, drive the Gordon River road east of town towards the hydro scheme and the edge of the Franklin–Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The road passes Nelson Falls, a short walk to a waterfall in rainforest, and continues to lookouts over the impoundments.
This is a full day with stops. Take food and water; services are thin. If it has been wet, check the road status before setting out, and do not rely on phone signal.
| Stop | Time from Queenstown | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson Falls | About 30 min | Short rainforest walk to a waterfall |
| Gordon River road lookouts | About 45–60 min | Views over the hydro lakes and forest |
| Lake Burbury | About 20 min | Lake and mountain views, picnic spots |
Three days in Queenstown
Add a day for Strahan, about 40 minutes west, on Macquarie Harbour. The Gordon River cruise is the main reason people come: a boat up the river into rainforest, usually with a stop at Sarah Island, a former penal settlement. Cruises run most days but sell out in summer, so book ahead.
If you would rather not cruise, Strahan itself has a small waterfront, a few places to eat and short walks. From Strahan you can continue north up the coast towards Burnie, or back to Queenstown and on to Hobart.
| Option | Cost (2026 estimate) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon River cruise | A$130–160 | Half to full day |
| Strahan waterfront and walks | Free | 2–3 hours |
| Drive to Strahan | Fuel only | About 40 min each way |
What it costs
Western Tasmania is not a budget destination: distances are long, fuel is expensive and accommodation in Queenstown and Strahan is limited. These are 2026 estimates for one person, excluding flights.
- Book summer accommodation weeks ahead.
- Carry cash; not every small business takes card reliably.
| Item | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Fuel, 2 days of driving | A$30–50 |
| Motel or pub room, per night | A$120–200 |
| Gordon River cruise | A$130–160 |
| Café meal | A$15–25 |
| Pub meal | A$25–40 |
Practical tips
Drive times in western Tasmania are longer than the map suggests: the roads are winding and weather slows you down. Plan fewer stops than you think you need.
Weather changes fast. Bring a rain jacket and warm layer even in summer, and check road closures in winter, when ice and snow can shut the passes. Fuel up whenever you see a station, and keep water and food in the car.
- Check road conditions before any mountain drive.
- Fill the tank in Queenstown or Strahan.
- Download offline maps; signal is patchy.
- Book the cruise and your room before you arrive in summer.
Questions people ask
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
One day covers the town and the Iron Blow lookout. Two days adds the Gordon River road and Lake Burbury. Three days adds Strahan and the Gordon River cruise. Most travellers do two.
What can I see in Queenstown in one day?
The main street and railway station, the Iron Blow open-cut lookout, and Lake Burbury. All are short drives from town, so a single day is enough if you are passing through.
What is a good 3-day itinerary for Queenstown?
Day one in town and at Iron Blow; day two on the Gordon River road via Nelson Falls; day three in Strahan, with the Gordon River cruise if you book ahead. Base in Queenstown throughout.
Do I need a car in Queenstown?
Yes. The sights are spread out along highways with no practical public transport. Without a car you are limited to the town itself.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown, Tasmania?
November to April for milder weather and longer days. Winter is cold, wet and can bring ice or snow on the passes, which affects driving.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialTourism Tasmania
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
- officialGordon River Cruises
- secondaryWikivoyage – Western Tasmania