Ida Bay Railway

The Ida Bay Railway at Lune River, Tasmania is Australia’s southernmost narrow gauge tramway. Lune River is just under two hours south of Hobart, near Southport.

The Ida Bay Railway was originally built to transport limestone from Ida Bay quarries to waiting ships in the Lune River Estuary and Deep Hole Bay. You can take a two-hour, 14-kilometre (nine-mile) return trip on a restored section of this historic line, riding in passenger carriages built on 1890s bogie flat wagons powered by 1940s Malcolm Moore locomotives.

Departing from Lune River station, you’ll travel through wildflower-dotted bushland and coastal heath. See the site of the once-thriving Ida Bay township and enjoy fantastic water views as you travel along the Lune River’s southern shore. Deep Hole Bay marks the line’s end where you’ll find a long, white sand swimming beach, accessible only by rail. This idyllic lunch spot has a picnic shelter, barbecue facilities and toilets. (Barbecue packs are available from the Ida Bay Railway Café.)
Catch a later train back to the station. Take in the scenic views.

From Deep Hole Bay you can follow marked walking tracks to Southport Lagoon and Southport Bluff where you will find the King George III monument. 134 people lost their lives when this convict ship sank here in 1835.

Departures from Ida Bay Station:

Summer timetable (October-April) 9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm
Winter timetable (May-September) 10.00am, 12.00pm & 2.00pm

Closed Friday.