Owner Government of Tasmania Operator(s) Margaret Thornton | Transit type Tramway Phone +61 3 6298 3110 | |
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Began operation 1919 (Freight operations)
1977 (tourist operations) Ended operation 1975 (Freight operations) Address 328 Lune River Rd, Ida Bay TAS 7109, Australia Hours Closed now Friday9AM–4PMSaturday9AM–4PMSunday9AM–4PMMonday(Eight Hours Day)9AM–4PMHours might differTuesday9AM–4PMWednesday9AM–4PMThursday9AM–4PM Similar Hastings Caves and Thermal, Southport Hotel & Caravan, Driftwood Cottages, Far South Wilderness Lodge, Buttongra Retreat | ||
Ida bay railway
The Ida Bay Railway is a 7-kilometre (4.3 mi), 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge Heritage Tramway that operates 105 kilometres (65 mi) south of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Contents
Ida bay railway
Location and features
The Tramway was opened in 1919 to facilitate the transportation of Limestone from the quarry west of Lune River to a jetty at Ida Bay. During 1975, freight operations ceased. The Tramway was purchased by the Tasmanian Government in 1977 and leased to private operators for the purpose of a tourist attraction. Various lease holders ran the railway for years struggling to make a profit, but in 2004 the Line re-opened and has been running successfully for the last several years.
The two-hour round trip runs from the Lune River station through buttongrass bushland to the banks of Ida Bay and then onto the old limestone pier at Deep Hole, for a beachside stop before returning to the station.
Marked bushwalking tracks lead to Southport Lagoon. Barbecue facilities, toilets, picnic lunches, group bookings, twilight tours and overnight camping spots are also available.
The other places of note in the area are Dover, Southport, Cockle Creek and the Hastings Cave system.