Things to do with kids in Strahan & Tasmania's West Coast

Steam trains leave Queenstown Station, including the Lynchford Express, a 90-minute return trip with gold panning at Lynchford. The longer Rinadeena journey climbs a 1-in-16 grade on a rack-and-pinion line. Book four to six weeks ahead where you can.

Cruises leave Strahan every day and stop at Sarah Island, Tasmania's oldest convict settlement, for a guided walk among the ruins. Most also stop at Heritage Landing for a rainforest boardwalk past an ancient Huon pine. Bring wet-weather gear; one operator's 9am cruise returns about 3pm and includes lunch.

The 2.4km return walk starts in People's Park in Strahan and takes 40 to 50 minutes. It passes leatherwood, sassafras and myrtle, and platypus are sometimes seen in the creek below the falls. The park has toilets, free barbecues, an undercover picnic area and free parking.

These dunes, about 30m high, are 14km north of Strahan on the road to Zeehan. Hire a toboggan in Strahan and slide down, or take the 1.5-hour return walk through the dunes to Ocean Beach. There's a shaded picnic area but no water or toilets, so bring your own.

A flat 1.4km return boardwalk beside a river reaches the falls in about 20 minutes, with no steps. Signs along the way point out ancient plants, including at least seven kinds of fern. The falls are beside the Lyell Highway east of Queenstown, and a parks pass is needed.

A cantilevered platform juts out over the former open-cut mine and the Linda Valley. The first major mine at Mount Lyell started here in 1883. Turn onto Iron Blow Road at the top of Gormanston Hill; the road is sealed and parking is free.

Just outside Zeehan, this easy one-hour loop walk passes through a 100m keyhole-shaped railway tunnel. Halfway through, shine a torch on the ceiling to spot glow-worms. Beyond the tunnel are old buildings and boilers from the Spray Silver Mine.

This 11.5km return walk follows an old tramway through rainforest to the 104m falls; allow about three hours. The viewing platform is closed, but the suspension bridge is open for views of the falls. Mining has polluted some creeks, so use the bridges and don't drink from or swim in them.