Scottsdale Station, 1907
From 1882, the Tasmanian government constructed numerous branch lines including the Launceston-Scottsdale line as well as extending the Western Line along the North-West Coast. The Launceston-Scottsdale line branched off the Bell Bay railway line at Coldwater Creek Junction, 13km north of Launceston. It was opened in February 1889 and passed through twelve stations along the way, including Legerwood. Services opened to Scottsdale via Legerwood on 9th August 1889, it was extended to Branxholm in 1911, and to Herrick, about 46 kilometres north-east of the town of Scottsdale, on 15th March 1919. The distance by train from Launceston to Herrick was 124 km.
The last passenger train ran in 1978 and the line was closed to freight in 2005. The Corridor is currently managed by TasRail. The rails between Coldwater Creek and Scottsdale were removed around 1996 and the land returned to the Crown. On other sections of the line, the rails remain and are intact.
Scottsdale Station today
The shift away from rail, including trams, was a widespread phenomenon in the post war years across Australia and the English speaking world. Urban and state planners anticipated savings and greater flexibility from promoting road and personal motor car use. By 1978, the last passenger trains closed down in Tasmania and the rail network, including the Launceston-Scottsdale line, focused on carrying freight. By the early 1980s there were just three daily services between Scottsdale and Launceston transporting logs, woodchips and other goods however, by 2005, the line was closed. Enthusiasts still hope that a passenger service might be revived as a result of the increased popularity of heritage railways.
Lilydale Railway Station
A distinctly English town with gardens and cool climate bushwalks. Lilydale, nestling under the northern slopes of Mount Arthur (1187 m), is an attractive town noted for the distinctive 'Englishness' of its gardens which mix with the appeal of the diverse range of interesting bushwalks in the district. The appeal of Lilydale (which is promoted as Tasmania's Country Garden) lies around, rather than in, the town.
Railway alignment near Lilydale Falls
Although only a short distance from Launceston (and only a few kilometres from the East Tamar Highway), the Lilydale district was not settled by Europeans until the 1850s when timber cutters began clearing the area. The township, originally known as Germantown but changed to Lilydale during World War I, appeared in the late 1870s when a track was out through the bush to the goldfields on the slopes of Mount Arthur.
When you see a place called Tunnel on the map, it's not hard to imagine what you'll find there. Tunnel sits near of Lebrina, just a few kilometres past Lilydale. The tunnel itself is little known and well hidden. It was part of the north eastern Launceston to Herrick railway line. Work on building the structure’s approaches began in late 1885. It would be a further two years, Mr Dix said, until the two headings met. It was another 12 months until the 700 metre tunnel ras completed. The first passenger train to run through the tunnel did so on February 2, 1889, with the state's Governor on board, but initially the line only went as far as Scottsdale.
At the time, the tunnel was a rare feature of Tasmanian railways. So rare, in fact, that the accompanying railway station was named Tunnel Station – hence, the tunnel at Tunnel. The last train to pass through the tunnel did so, carry freight, from Tonganah to Launceston, on October 1, 2004.
Tunnel railway platform
Moss now grows over the tracks, and blackberry shrubs edge further down the banks each season, but otherwise the tunnel is in good condition. Work on a 26 km long rail trail from Scottsdale to Tulendeena along the former railway line has been in progress for several years, and the trail sits at 26 kilometres in length. As progress continues on the trail, it is planned that it will be expanded to pass through the tunnel. Location: off Tunnel Road, Tunnel, Tas.
Lebrina station platform
With a population of around 200, Lebrina is located about 38 kilometres north-east of the city of Launceston. Lebrina is an Aboriginal word for “house” or “hut”. The locality was gazetted in 1964. The Denison River flows through the south-east corner. Pipers Brook rises in the south-west and flows through to the north-west.
Railway line near Golconda
Golconda is a small rural locality about 31 kilometres south-west of the town of Scottsdale. The 2016 census determined its population to be 26. The locality has the name of an ancient and now ruined city in India. Golconda was an old fort and city of Hindustan, famous for its diamonds. Both localities were mining centres, which might explain the use of the Indian name for the Goldfields that Golconda railway station served. The Denison River passes through from west to north-east. The locality's Aboriginal name was Wiangata, which was the township's original name.
Golconda Goldfield, Tasmania. Source: Tasmanian Archive & Heritage Office, NS787/1/4
The Golconda goldfield was in close proximity to further gold mining areas that include the Denison and Lisle goldfields, towards the northern end of an upland area surrounding Mt Arthur. Gold mining proceeded in both the Lone Star and Golconda Creek valleys after 1877, being referred to separately as the Panama and Golconda goldfields. Golconda first appeared in print when prospector William Kennett applied for a 4ha lease in March 1878, the lode being anointed the Golconda Reef, the term applied to all claims in the vicinity by year’s end.
The locality of Nabowla is home to the Bridestowe Lavender Estate. During December and January, the famous landmark property is a stunning showcase for the agricultural and technical excellence that made Bridestowe a benchmark for fine lavender oil throughout the world. Bridestowe Lavender Farm is one of the largest producers of lavender oil in the world.
Nabowla is an Aboriginal word, either meaning 'river', or being the name of the river. When the railway station first opened it was named Lisle Road Station as it was on the road leading to the goldmining settlement of Lisle. The Town Reserve was named Pagunta, Aboriginal word meaning 'four', but this was never proclaimed. The name was changed to Nabowla in 1913.
The area was first surveyed in 1855 and was described as the best soil on the island - well watered, with a mild climate by surveyor James Scott, for whom the town is named. This rings true today as Scottsdale, as well as being the regional centre for other north-east towns, is a major agricultural centre. Scottsdale is 22 km south of Bridport, 63 km north east of Launceston.
Legerwood war memorial
The small town of Legerwood near Ringarooma is worth a visit to see the town's war memorial - a series of chainsaw scuptures honouring the soldiers who fell in the Great War (1914-18). Spanning the rugged North-East from Launceston to St Helens, the The Trail of the Tin Dragon winds its way through stunning scenery and historic townships, including Legerwood. The Trail tells the little known story of tin mining in the North East of Tasmania, focusing on the European and Chinese miners who sought their fortune and risked all for this most remarkable metal.
Railway line through Legerwood, 1986
Branxholm is a typical north-east Tasmania timber town nestled into the rolling hills. It is notable for its saw mills and its hop fields. It has a sprawling street pattern which makes the small town spread across the valley floor. Branxholm offers the visitor good fishing in the Ringarooma River.The railway line was extended from Scottsdale to Branxholm in 1911.
The old Branxholm railway station was purshased by a local resident and removed to where it now sits in a paddock on the outskirts of the town. It is being used to stroe farm equipment and hay.
This interesting former tin mining town, which wanders along a hillside overlooking the Ringarooma River, retains the atmosphere of its pioneering history. A classified historic town, it lies about halfway between Launceston and the east coast and therefore has become something of a natural stopover point for travellers.
The town is proud of its mining heritage and its Derby Tin Mine Centre and The Trail of the Tin Dragon tells of Derby's early days. It is also the site of the Briseis Mine; in it's heyday one of the richest tin mines in the world. Experience the power and fury of 'A Billion Litres Of Water with nowhere to go', in the epic story of the Tin Rush and the miners who sought their fortune from this remarkable metal.
Crossing Davids Creek on the Herrick to Legerwood run
The village of Herrick is located about 46 kilometres north-east of the town of Scottsdale. The first railway line through the area was opened on 9 August, 1889, connecting Scottsdale to Launceston. This was extended to Branxholm on 12 July, 1911 and neighbouring Herrick in 1919. Herrick was named after Jerry Herrick who was the foreman at the Anchor Mine.
Herrick Railway Yard. Photo: Weston Langford Railway Photography
There is little evidence in the sleepy village of Herrick that it was once one of the most prosperous tin mining towns in both Tasmania and Australia. Neighbouring Pioneer, Garibaldi and Winnaleah were also tin mining centres, and home to Chinese tin miners between 1877 and 1930. Although there were never more than 1,000 Chinese in the entire area, their contribution was vital. Many of them are buried in the cemeteries in the area. The tiny school at Bradshaw's Creek achieved some fame when its one-time teacher, Joseph Lyons, subsequently entered federal parliament and became Prime Minister of Australia.
This is a spectacular rail trail with lush forest vegetation that still provides views of the surrounding mountains. The trail has a good gravel surface, suitable for all weather and best either walked or ridden on a mountain bike. The trail follows a section of the railway between Scottsdale and Tulendeena (Billycock Hill) near Legerwood.
The trail starts at the old Scottsdale Railway Station in Ellenor St (accessed between the Mitre 10 Store and the railway crossing on the road). Also Kings Street (which is the main street) though no car parking. There are numerous interpretive signs to provide a background on the area and the railway. Bikes can be hires from Scottsdale Art Gallery Café and Bike Hire, and the Red Dirt Cycle Company in Scottsdale which has bikes for sale and hire.
The Scottsdale to Tonganah section (10km) descends through picturesque farmland to the Great Forester River at Tonganah. The Tonganah to Tulendeena (Billycock Hill) section (16km) is a gentle but steady climb almost all the way from Tonganah up to the former station of Tullendeena then to Snake Track, a few km short of Legerwood. This section of the rail trail winds through beautiful tall forests with spectacular tree fern-lined cuttings and huge embankments across gullies, well away from any roads.
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