Travel Australia

Belerive to Sorell Railway, Tasmania

Sorell Railway Station

The 24 km Bellerive to Sorell Railway was built to link Hobart to the east and south east areas of Tasmania. Construction of the line commenced in 1890. The line had a relatively short life, being opened in May 1892 and closed in June 1926 as a result of declining traffic and high maintenance costs. It was nicknamed the "Idiotic Railway" by many, including vocal antagonists and politicians, in reference to a time when state governments were excessively constructing railways around Tasmania regardless of costs.


Stonework above a tunnel portal, inscribed "1891"

The railway included several interesting features: a 164 metre long stone-lined tunnel (the oldest railway tunnel in Tasmania; no public access); a 256 metre long stone causeway; a 582 metre long timber viaduct; and the 400 metre long Shark Point cutting.


Bellerive railway station in 1910 (Bellerive Historical Society)

The line commenced on a wharf extending into Kangaroo Bay, Bellerive, part of which is still in place between the Bellerive Yacht Club and the adjacent park area, which is roughly where the goods yard was located. A passenger ferry service operated between the wharf and Hobart city. Cambridge was the location of the major intermediate station on the line. Signs of the old route are visible in paddocks around the town area. From Shark Point to Sorell, much of the line is now the route of Shark Point Road, and the Sorell yard area is still fairly open in the area around Station Street, with some being used by the local council. The Sorell station building, although somewhat modified, is now an antique shop. The Sorell carriage shed survives as the local council depot. Some pieces of rolling stock are preserved at the Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy.

Section of the railway aligment are walkable. A brass plaque marks the railway right-of-way about one kilometre from Sorell. Cambridge station yard still exists, the white level crossing gate is original, the railway station still stands on its original site, but the building has been heavily modified.