A place that time forgot: a history of the old tramways of Tasmania

Tasmania is a rugged place, being mostly an isolated section of the mountain ranges which run the length of the Australian east coast. This created problems in many areas when it came to transporting goods and passengers in the days before heavy earthmovers made the construction of highways possible.

The solution was to build tramways, light 2-foot gauge railways, which often utilised small steam locomotives. Most of these lines have long gone, but one remains on its original alignment at Ida Bay, some 2 hours drive south of Hobart. Its former use was to carry limestone from an inland quarry to a wharf where it was loaded onto ships, but today it carries passengers on pleasant day-trips, using quaint diesel locomotives.

Two others have been built by volunteer groups over recent decades. The township of Tullah was originally accessible only by a tramway, but that changed in the early 1960s with the construction of the Murchison Highway. The steam locomotive – known as Wee Georgie Wood – which once worked this line – ended up on a plinth, but was later rescued and restored to working order.

The other, at Sheffield, is operated by the Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society, who run the same type of steam locomotive used a century ago on the almost forgotten Kaoota tramway which wound its way nearly 20 kilometres through steep bushland behind Margate (30 minutes drive south of Hobart) and a coal mine.

This line, which was completed in 1905, was used to carry timber, small fruits and passengers as well as coal. It climbed 450 metres from sea level on a tortuous route, passing through the interestingly-named Poverty Gully, and over ten timber trestle bridges.

Poverty Gully is now the site of some very modern houses, obviously unlike what must have existed there before. This tramway had a short, but not uneventful life.  Not long after its opening, a hazardous practice commenced where loaded log wagons were free-wheeled downhill to a sawmill at Margate with a man riding it, applying the brakes upon approach to the numerous sharp curves. In April 1908, a derailment occurred in which the brakeman, by the name of McLeod, lost his life. After that, locomotives were used on all downhill movements.

A bushfire claimed one of the trestle bridges in 1920, creating a break in the track and isolating one of the tramway’s two locomotives inland. Just prior to the tramway’s closure in 1922, the locomotive was recovered. Soon afterward, the rails were lifted and the track formation reverted to nature.

With other family members, I recently walked a 6 kilometre portion of the formation, which has since been cleared and now has Heritage listing. It is easy going, although a bit rough in places and there were a few wet, shaded patches. Its construction 110 years ago would not have been easy, with only basic tools available.

I was intrigued to observe that one lengthy section was coated with pulverised coal, obviously a legacy of former traffic. It should be noted that the track is also open to horse riders and cyclists, but in any event, we only encountered one other person. It was a very pleasant walk and one I would recommend.

Have you been to Tasmania? What parts did you visit and have you seen this tramway? Tell us your stories in the comments below!