Don River Railway

Free experience
Don River Railway

What you can expect

This excellent heritage railway experience that runs alongside the scenic Don River's banks may be short on length, however it's undeniably big on charm and runs almost entirely on love and passion. One of the sole passenger-bearing remainders of Tasmania's age of rail, the train ride involves a 30 minute journey from Devonport to Coles Beach, winding its way through some beautiful bushland along the way. The train itself is undeniably gorgeous having been wonderfully restored by the volunteers who keep the railway functioning, and its old-world charm makes for a ride that's highly atmospheric. The trip is a leisurely, meandering affair and is immensely popular with children, making for an ideal trip for families with young kids, while adults who are both locomotive and history enthusiasts will also get a great deal enjoyment out of the Don River Railway. In addition to the ride itself, the station comes equipped with a surprisingly robust museum that is home to the largest collection of locomotives in Tasmania, with the workshops having undertaken some excellent restoration projects on these old dames of transport past. Kids especially will appreciate being able to go inside the trains and observe their interiors, including the drivers' compartments, with tours of the workshops available for those who are interested. Good, old fashioned family fun that comes at a highly reasonable price; that's the Don River Railway in a nutshell.

Location

What you need to know

Note
  • Proceeds go towards restoration of old trains
  • Ride takes around 30 minutes
Charming, old-world train ride
Friendly and enthusiastic volunteers
Excellent museum of old historic trains
Comprehensive gift shop full of memorabilia
Experience Oz

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.