Commercial pining began in the 1860's and was the heart of the area for over 100 years until 1964 when cutting ceased. The Piner's Punt carried men like Tom Docherty and Charles Barnes Abel with supplies along the Gordon, Franklin, Jane and Dennison Rivers. The men worked in small camps and cut one tree a day, six days a week.

Along the Gordon is the Boom Camp site. Huon Pine was floated down the Gordon and collected at this point by a boom, a wire rope attached to logs which extended across the river. The logs were formed into rafts and transferred to Strahan by small steamers like the Glen Turk. Convicts on Sarah Island were put to work turning the great trees into ships. Today this Piner's camp is a fishing hut.

The smell of pine is still in the air throughout Macquarie Harbour. Huon Pine is cut at Morrison's Mill in Strahan, Western Softwoods and Tasmanian Special Timbers and fashioned into craft items such as bowls and furniture available for sale.

South west Tasmania was once attached to Antarctica and known as Gondwana. Millions of years of changes have produced rocks abundant in rich ore that drew men hungry for independence and fortune. From the copper ore found near Strahan, the silver and lead of Tullah and Zeehan, to the zinc in Rosebery and the gold that once made Queenstown one of the richest mining towns in the world, the western wilderness is steeped in mining history.

From Bird River take a 3 hour return walk to the abandoned port town of East Pillinger established at Kelly Basin by the North Mt Lyell Copper Company in the late 1800's. Once home to 600, it is now largely reclaimed by the rainforest and is a poignant record of the harsh, challenging past faced by these tough people. Wander among the relics and imagine what life was like.

West Coast Wilderness Railway
The original steam railway from Strahan to Queenstown has been restored for an exhilarating journey through dense rainforest and past cavernous gorges, rushing rivers and toy-town stations. Book the West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Dougies Underground Mine Tours Queenstown
Explore underground the Mt Lyell Copper Mine on a 2-3 hour tour of a working mine. Descend to 6 kms wearing full mining gear in the Mount Lyell Copper Mine to experience the day-to-day operation of a working mine. Surface tours also available. More...

Mt Lyell Enviro Tours Queenstown
Famous Mt Lyell tours. Learn the history of the mine and the town and see the open cut. Twice daily. More...

Iron Blow Queenstown
Where mining in Queenstown began in 1883, the Iron Blow was worked as a gold mine for 10 years before the discovery of vast deposits of copper, and offers wonderful views of surrounding mountains and down the Linda Valley. More...

Pioneers Museum - Zeehan
Across thirteen galleries, exhibits range from exotic mineral crystals, flora and fauna, photographic displays, and sinister-looking surgical instruments to great steam locomotives in the sheds outside. More...

Piners and Miners Tour
Full day guided tour that starts in a unique Hi-Rail Landrover converted into a rail car before leaving the tracks for a further drive and a two hour walk through World Heritage rainforest to Kelly Basin and an awaiting gourmet lunch. Return to Strahan by cruise boat. More...

Tullah Museum
Mineral Display and Prospectors Scratch Patch (sponsored by the Tullah Progress Association.) Gems, Local Arts, crafts and produce for sale. Café serving light meal. Located at the Tullah Hotel, Murchison Highway. More...

Spray Tunnel - Zeehan
About a 10 minute drive from the main street of Zeehan, drive or walk through the keyhole-shaped tram tunnel, approximately 3 metres high, 2.2 metres wide and 100 metres long. More...

Pieman River Cruises - Arcadia 11
Journey on the Famous Arcadia 11 down through the Tarkine to the wild west coast at Pieman heads, take a short walk, beachcombe, breath the worlds freshest air or immerse yourself in nature. On the return trip to Corinna listen to stories of past glory days and aboriginal history. Approximately 4.5hrs - Morning / Afternoon tea is provided, and lunch can be supplied. More...