Tasmania · Attraction
Don River Railway
Tasmania's steam heritage rolling again
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
The Don River Railway preserves the largest collection of Tasmanian railway rolling stock in existence, with locomotives, carriages, and freight wagons spanning the years 1871 to 1951. Set beside the Don River just west of Devonport, this volunteer-run heritage railway operates genuine steam and diesel-hauled train rides through the Don Reserve to Coles Beach and back. The museum's outdoor yard and historic signal box bring Tasmania's railway history vividly to life.
The Don River Railway operates out of a living museum complex that includes a preserved station building, the original Devonport Signal Box, restoration workshops open to visitors, and an extensive outdoor rolling stock yard. Walk-through displays allow close inspection of locomotives, passenger carriages, and goods wagons that formed the backbone of Tasmanian commerce and travel for nearly a century. The museum admission covers full access to all static displays and is payable at the door without a booking.
Train rides run Thursday to Sunday, departing across the day between 9am and 3pm. The 30-minute return journey winds along the Don River through native bushland to Coles Beach, hauled by either a steam locomotive or a vintage diesel depending on the day's roster. Family packages are available, and the museum alone opens from Wednesday, making mid-week visits possible for those with a tight schedule. The railway is run entirely by volunteers with a passionate dedication to preserving Tasmania's narrow-gauge heritage.
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