Douggies Underground Mine Tours
Dougie’s Underground Mine Tours explores the Mount Lyell Copper Mine at Queenstown, western Tasmania. Queenstown is a classified historic town, four hours west of Hobart (256 kilometres/159 miles) and 30 minutes’ east of Strahan (41 kilometres/25 miles).
On Dougie’s Underground Mine Tours, you will experience the day-to-day operation of a working copper mine. Wearing full mining gear, you’ll descend six kilometres (four miles) below ground in the Mount Lyell Copper Mine - one of Australia’s largest underground hard rock mines. The Mount Lyell Copper Mine, now operated by the Copper Mines of Tasmania, began operation in 1896 and has continually operated for over 100 years. Surface tours of the mine are also available for those who prefer to stay above ground.
In Queenstown, you can also board the West Coast Wilderness Railway—a restoration of the original Mount Lyell Mine railway that operated here in the late 19th century. Your 35-kilometre (22-mile) journey follows the route once travelled by trains carrying copper from rich Queenstown mines to the port at Strahan. Travelling aboard original steam locomotives and coaches, you’ll cross high trestle bridges over river gorges thick with rainforest and stop at restored original stations along the line.
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Phone: 03 6471 1472 Fax: 03 6471 1472 |
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C.M.T. Underground Mine TourIn conjunction with Copper Mines of Tasmania, we offer a special opportunity for you to visit the working areas of our safe underground Copper Mine. Seven kilometres down the main decline at a depth of 250 metres below sea level, you will see modem mining at its best - large electro- hydraulic drill rigs, Tasmanian built Elphingstone boggers, Toro 50 ton diesel powered dump trucks all working together to mine 8,000 tons of Copper, Gold and Silver Ore bearing rock every day. You will be required to wear safety equipment just as the miners do - cap lamps and batteries, self rescuers, gumboots, safety hard hats and safety glasses (we provide them), and after 2.5 hours underground, you will probably have a feel for what a day in the mine is like. We are only the second working mine in the world to allow visitors access to the underground work face, a unique opportunity for most people. Travel underground is by 4wd station wagon. The tour involves some walking, and may not be suitable for everyone. Safety requirements apply, and bookings are essential. Mt Lyell Mine TourThis one hour SURFACE tour of the famous 104 year old Mount Lyell Copper Mine will bring you up to date with the major redevelopment going on under the new ownership of Copper Mines of Tasmania. The rich heritage of one of Australias greatest mines, coupled with its exciting redevelopment makes for one of the most positive stories for Australias future into the 21st century. Our famous bare hills are changing - and our guides will explain to you their story, along with the implementation of Best Practice environmental practice by CMT, certainly a change from the past. You will visit the remains of the famous West Lyell Open Cut mine, once Australias largest mine - now a spectacular legacy of its past, but also related to todays underground mining and our future. Then the Prince Lyell Poppet Head and the best view of the valley and the town below. Return past the concentration mill, and visit our famous gravel football oval and the main area of the town before concluding the tour. This tour is a great introduction to Queenstown and what makes it tick. | |
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