A fascinating historic town on the B27, near the midwest coast.
This was once a booming silver-mining town known as ’silver city’ - for a time it even had its own stock exchange. It also had a lot of bars, a thriving theatre and a rollicking social life. Zeehan, once Tasmania’s third largest town, is north of Queenstown on the west coast. Rich in mining history, its economy is focused around tourism and the nearby Renison Bell tin mine. Its population of 900 is 10 times smaller than it was at its peak in the early 20th century.
Much of its jaunty history is preserved - the Gaiety Theatre is restored to its former glamour, other buildings of the old mining town are still used, and the Pioneer Memorial Museum (the former School of Mining) has a great display of transport, mining equipment and minerals.
When you’ve identified the local minerals you can go fossicking for your own gemstones - or just go fishing at Granville Harbour or Trial Harbour.
Put yourself in the shoes of early settlers by taking the historic walk around the town. The town’s mining heritage is just as rich and fascinating, as you will discover at the West Coast Pioneer Memorial Museum.
From Zeehan you can fish for trout in Lake Pieman or crayfish at Granville Harbour. Visit Zeehan’s original port, Trial Harbour, or take in the views from the top of Mount Zeehan.
Zeehan was first sighted by Abel Tasman, in 1642, when he saw the mountain peak later named Mount Zeehan by Bass and Flinders, after Tasman’s brig. In 1871 the discovery of tin at Mount Bischoff led to further exploration of the area. Little more than 10 years later, Frank Long discovered silver and lead, sparking the largest mining boom on Tasmania’s west coast. Ultimately, however, the reserves were depleted – the town once known as Silver City ceased mining the precious metal in 1914.
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