Discover Zeehan: History and Mountain Bike Trails

Discover Zeehan through two very different sides: historic buildings and exhibitions tell the story of the town, while the Silver City MTB Trails invite you to explore actively. There is also the Spray Tunnel just outside town. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus more on culture, mountain biking or a short outing.

Exhibitions and historic buildings

The West Coast Heritage Centre comprises four historic buildings on Main Street in Zeehan and 30 themed exhibition areas. The number of areas makes it clear that a visit is not limited to a single exhibit or building: if you are interested in local history, you can explore a range of topics and set aside time for your visit, rather than treating the centre as just a brief stop.

Access to the West Coast Heritage Centre is through the green double doors of the historic Zeehan School of Mines and Metallurgy Building, at 114 Main Street, Zeehan. This specific address makes it easier to find the entrance. The buildings themselves are also part of the town’s historic character: several grand historic buildings line Main Street.

Another distinctive building is the Gaiety Theatre. Built in 1898, it was considered one of the grandest buildings on the West Coast and one of the finest theatres in Australia. Its history adds a separate perspective on Zeehan’s architectural history to a visit to the exhibitions. If you are interested in historic architecture, the Heritage Centre and Theatre offer different points of interest, although they do not provide the same kind of experience.

Explore the area by mountain bike

The Silver City MTB Trails offer 35 kilometres of new mountain bike trails and adventures in Zeehan. On the edge of town, seven different routes pass through button grass plains and over rocky outcrops. There are several trails to choose from, and the landscape shifts between open plains and rocky terrain. This could be a deciding factor for your stay if you are travelling to Zeehan primarily to go mountain biking.

If you are travelling with others, you can combine outdoor activities with a visit to the historic buildings; it is best to choose experiences that suit everyone based on their individual interests.

A short trip to the Spray Tunnel

The Spray Tunnel lies just outside Zeehan. The return walk is an easy six-kilometre route and takes about an hour. The time is approximate; together with the round-trip distance, it can help you fit this outing into your day’s plans. Glow-worms shine from the ceiling inside the tunnel—a striking natural sight that is very different from the historic buildings and mountain bike trails.

Discover more places

If you would also like to explore other places: Campania, Bothwell, Loccota, Pipers Brook, Deloraine, Cradoc, Granton and Tinderbox.

For the broader travel overview: Tasmania.