Tasmania For Everyone: Zeehan

Zeehan

A remote mining town in Tasmania’s west that has gone from being the third largest town in Tasmania with a population of 10,000, to a deserted ghost town until the late 1960s, and back to a prosperous mining town again, thanks to the Renison Bell tin mine (28 km north west). Many travellers drive straight through the town, not realising there is so much to see in the surrounding area.

Lookout

King Hill, a 2km drive from Zeehan, offers great views of the town.

Where Is it?

286 km north west of Hobart; 139 km south west of Burnie; 38 km north west of Queenstown.

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Things To See And Do

The main streetscape of Zeehan is a significant feature of the town. Points of interest around the town include the Gaiety Theatre (1899), once the largest concert hall in Australia; the West Coast Heritage Centre, which is in the old School of Mines building. One of the best regional museums in Australia, it houses early pioneering memorabilia, mining equipment and steam locomotives.
Also of interest around town are the old smelters, built in 1898 and closed in 1920; the Pioneer Cemetery (400m along Henty Main Road), used from 1891 to 1930. Talk a walk, drive or cycle through the 100-metre Spray Tunnel, a narrow abandoned railway tunnel on a one-way gravel road.

Montezuma Falls

The mountains around Zeehan are home to numerous spectacular waterfalls. Few are easy to reach - rough mining tracks through the bush are often the only means of access - but they are well worth seeing if you have the time and inclination. Heemskirk Falls are on the Heemskirk River, 19km north of Zeehan, at the junction of Heemskirk and Pieman Rivers. The falls are visible on the side of Mt. Heemskirk from the main road.
Montezuma Falls: at 105 metres, Montezuma Falls is Tasmania’s highest falls. To access the falls, follow the Montezuma Falls Trail traversing lush rainforest with leatherwood, myrtle and sassafras. This trail follows the former North East Dundas Tramway which ran from Zeehan to Williamsford, once a busy mining town but now slowly being reclaimed by the bush.

More Info

Spray Tunnel

A short one-way loop track out of Zeehan that takes in some history and is a bit of fun for everyone. This is only a 30 minute return trip but is well worth it if you are passing through Zeehan enroute to the nearby 4WD Montezuma Track.

Surrounding Area

Magnet Mining Trail

Magnet Mine Trail begins 1.75km west of Waratah and traverses lush rainforest on its way to the Mount Magnet mine site. The mine site has relics to explore and good to camp. You can create a circular route using local roads, particularly if cycling. A great walk if you have the time and energy. Distance: 16km.

Mount Zeehan

Take in the views from the top of Mount Zeehan (702m). This 3-hour walk along a gravel track starts opposite the Zeehan Smelters.

Reece Dam

Recce Dam is a 120 metre high rock fill dam. The dam is 35 minutes from Zeehan via a sealed road. The road goes over the dam, continuing to the Murchison Hwy.

Mt Heenskirk

The walk to the top of Mt Heemskirk (14 km west) is short but physically demanding, that rewards trekkers with uninterrupted vistas of button-grass plains and the west coast. Several creeks are crossed by this trail. Mt Heemskirk is part of the West Coast Range. The track is also used by trail bikers.