Major city · Australia
QueenstownQueenstown, Tasmania
Stay one night as a West Coast base: mining history, the wilderness railway and bare-hills lookouts. Two nights only if you add a mine tour or Lake Burbury.
Queenstown is a former copper-mining town of about 1,800 people in the Queen River valley, roughly a 3.5–4 hour drive from Hobart on the Lyell Highway. The hills around it are bare from a century of logging and smelter fumes, which is the sight people come for. It works as a one-night stop on a West Coast loop, with the West Coast Wilderness Railway to Strahan as the main draw.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (ice, snow and road closures)
- Airports
- BWT · HBA
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Queenstown000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Queenstown, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA small, quiet town with no real street-crime problem.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBWT Burnie Airport (Wynyard) (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 2.5 h by road.
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk: Orr Street for food and shops, Spion Kopf lookout a short climb above it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$5–7 (≈ US$4–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheckA$10–20 (≈ US$7–14)
- Budget bedBackpacker or caravan-park room, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BWT Burnie Airport (Wynyard) (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 2.5 h by road. Queenstown's own airstrip is emergency use only.) · HBA Hobart Airport (About 4 h by road via the Lyell Highway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
14°C (58°F)58°F (14°C)
Jun
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jul
Avoid
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
Aug
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Sep
not flagged
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Best
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jul (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (22 rain days), driest Feb (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Queenstown: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (47°F)47°F (8°C)
15 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (47°F)47°F (9°C)
12 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Apr
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C)
18 rd
May
14°C (58°F)58°F (14°C)
5°C (40°F)40°F (5°C)
20 rd
Jun
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
19 rd
Jul
12°C (53°F)53°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
22 rd
Aug
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (38°F)38°F (3°C)
22 rd
Sep
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
21 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
20 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (44°F)44°F (6°C)
18 rd
Dec
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk: Orr Street for food and shops, Spion Kopf lookout a short climb above it. A car is needed for Iron Blow, Lake Burbury, Donaghy's Hill and Nelson River Falls. There is no local public transport; the West Coast Wilderness Railway runs to Strahan as a tourist service.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Strahan
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car; 2–4 h by rail
Drive the B24, or ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway
Railway is the reason most people come; book ahead in summer.
Zeehan
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive the B27/A10 north
Mining-era streetscape and museum; pairs well with a Strahan run.
Lake Burbury
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Drive east on the Lyell Highway past Gormanston
Trout fishing and a picnic stop; no facilities.
Cradle Mountain
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Drive the A10 or B28 north
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep up there.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Orr Street and the town centre
Motels, pubs and cafés within a few minutes' walk; best for one night without a car shuffle.
Batchelor Street
Motel strip on the edge of the centre; quieter, still walkable to Orr Street.
Self-contained cabins and the caravan park
Cabins and powered sites for drivers with gear; book ahead in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$180 | A$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| West Coast Wilderness Railway, Queenstown–Strahan return2 × A$200 · check | A$400 |
| Underground mine tour2 × A$120 · check | A$240 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$119 |
| Trip total≈ A$655 per person per day, bed included | A$1,309≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and rail fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$5–7 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub counter meal | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Fish and chips | A$18–28 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Fuel, per litreWest Coast prices run high; fill up before the range. | A$1.90–2.20 (≈ US$2) |
| Museum entrycheck | A$10–20 (≈ US$7–14) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads in and out can be icy or snow-covered from winter into early December: check conditions before driving and avoid night driving in winter.
- The Gormanston Hill road is narrow with sudden bends; rockfall and black ice are real hazards.
- Wildlife on the roads at dawn and dusk.
- Fuel and food options are limited; fill up before the West Coast Range.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QueenstownQueenstown, Tasmania
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No consulates on the West Coast; embassies and consulates-general are in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Queenstown → Strahan by car: about 40 km (25 mi), 45 min (check)about 25 mi (40 km), 45 min (check)
- West Coast Wilderness Railway, return: from about A$200 (≈ US$140) (check)
- Bus Queenstown → Hobart: twice weekly, Tue and Fri (check timetables)
Say or show
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where's the servo? — Where is the petrol station?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Thanks — Thanks
- Cheers — Cheers
Mobile coverage is patchy on the Lyell Highway and around the West Coast Range; download offline maps before you drive.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Queenstown. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (ice, snow and road closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BWT and HBA: last bus and drive times field-checked, winter road-closure fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Orr Street, Spion Kopf, the railway station and the Galley Museum.
- Place pages with verified hours (Galley Museum, Iron Blow, Spion Kopf) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.