People often ask us ‘what is there to do in Queenstown?’ and ‘why should I visit Queenstown?’. Often these questions are asked by individuals who last visited the region many years ago and whose memory is of what Tasmania’s west coast used to be.
Queenstown has changed in many ways over the intervening years, so we have gathered together some typical questions that we get asked, in an attempt to communicate what visiting the town and region is like today.
“Isn’t the weather in Queenstown dreadful, with rain every day?”
- We do have a long winter and yes, we get 2½ metres of rain a year
- No, it doesn’t rain very day. If it rains for 5 minutes at 3.00 a.m. in the morning, that day is considered a rain day!
- In fact, we don’t get the level of damaging rain often experienced in many parts of the mainland
“What about the pollution and ‘moonscape’ scenery?”
- While pollution from mining denuded the hills around Queenstown of trees, leading to its ‘moonscape’ reputation, the pollution ceased years ago and the environment is recovering
- You’ll be amazed at how green they have become
“What is the shopping and restaurant scene like in Queenstown?”
- Queenstown isn’t a retail destination (although there are some fascinating specialty shops)
- No, we don’t have a dozen coffee shops to choose from (although we do have several, and some very good places to eat)
”What other city ‘comforts’ won’t I find in Queenstown?”
- There is no city smog
- No traffic lights
- Queenstown has a very low crime rate – your house and car are safe
- No humidity
- No big crowds
“So what does Queenstown have – and why should I want to go there?”
Friendly people
- We have a great little community of around 1800 people
- Some amazing people live or have a home here – including faces we see in print, on screen, or in successful business, academic and arts careers
- Alongside them are longtime locals who are the most friendly and genuine people
Great attractions
- Queenstown was named Australia’s small tourist town of the year for 2022 – a destination doesn’t win that accolade without good reason
- Queenstown is home to national award winning tourism experience, the West Coast Wilderness Railway, which attracts 40,000-plus passengers a year who overwhelmingly go away spreading positive feedback
Art, culture and heritage
- Queenstown is home to The Unconformity, one of the top 40 things to do in the world
- Artists who exhibit nationally and internationally call Queenstown home, and their work can be seen in local galleries
- If museums and heritage appeal to you, Queenstown has some sensational experiences to offer
- Sports fans will be amazed by Queenstown’s gravel football oval and its history
- The region is widely acknowledged as being the cradle of the modern environmental conservation movement, especially following the epic seven-year campaign to stop the damming of the Franklin River. We can direct you to a 90 minute feature documentary that tells this story.
Scenery and wilderness adventures
- Queenstown is home to what many believe to be the best ‘above the tree-line’ mountain biking tracks anywhere
- The winding roads of Tasmania’s west attract car and bike enthusiasts who come for recreational trips
- Nearby local, national and world heritage areas offer walks and hikes to suit all levels of outdoor enthusiasm and range from short walks to waterfalls, through day long hiking treks to multi-day remote hiking adventures
- Those who want to see wilderness without roughing it can enjoy the comfort of 4-wheel drive tour, with personal guides who are walking encyclopedias with wonderful stories and knowledge of the region’s history and heritage
“What else can I do on the west coast?”
The west coast is much more than just Queenstown. You can enjoy cruising the amazing Gordon River with tour boats departing from Strahan daily (more award-winning experiences), visit historic Zeehan, Trial and Granville Harbours, Corrina and all surrounding areas within this heritage rainforest region. Slightly further afield, but still easy day-trips, are Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and the North West Coast.
“It sounds great, but I need somewhere comfortable to stay, and maybe some help to arrange it?”
Be assured when you book at Penghana Bed and Breakfast, we go the extra mile to ensure your stay is comfortable and memorable and we assist with your reservations whether it be dinner or an organised event.
We are more than happy to make suggestions so you create a tailor-made itinerary which gives you time to stop and smell the trees, take in the majestic scenery, the history, the authenticity of the West Coast and great relaxing experiences that some 40,000 other people partake of annually when visiting Tasmania’s West Coast.
“How do I contact you?”
You can call or email us with any questions, or you can book directly with us via our website. Click the button below for our details.
