Zeehan

TAS 7469 • Tasmania

722
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
90.76 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricMining TownRemoteWildernessHeritage

About Zeehan

Zeehan is a historic mining town on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, situated approximately 286 kilometres north-west of Hobart and 139 kilometres south-west of Burnie within the West Coast Council local government area. The town sits at an elevation of 172 metres amidst dense temperate rainforest, recording an extraordinary annual rainfall of over 2,400 millimetres and a population of approximately 702 residents in the 2021 Census. Zeehan boomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a major silver-lead mining centre, once earning the nickname 'Silver City' with a population that reportedly peaked above 10,000. Today it retains much of its Victorian-era heritage architecture and a small but resilient community.

The town is home to the West Coast Heritage Centre, celebrating the region's rich mining and railway history through extensive collections of artefacts and historic photographs. Neighbouring communities include Queenstown, 38 kilometres to the south-east, and the heritage port town of Strahan, gateway to the World Heritage-listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The broader west coast offers extraordinary wilderness experiences including the Henty Dunes, Montezuma Falls, and the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway. Zeehan suits those drawn to dramatic rainforest landscapes, frontier community spirit, and a profound sense of industrial heritage.

Zeehan falls under postcode 7469 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Braddon (Murchison) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
7469
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Hobart (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-41.78°, 145.20°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
90.76 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Tassielink West Coast service — Queenstown / Strahan / Devonport Approximately 45 min to Queenstown; ~3h to Devonport

Commute to Hobart CBD

Distance
286 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
3h – 3h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3h – 3h 30min

🛣️ Route via A10 Lyell Highway through Queenstown and the central highlands; road is scenic but winding in sections

Walkability Car-Dependent

Zeehan's compact town centre has a small number of local shops within walking distance, but most services and medical facilities require driving to Queenstown or beyond

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
722
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zeehan known for? +

Zeehan is known as Tasmania's former 'Silver City' — a booming silver-lead mining town in the late 1800s that once rivalled Hobart in population. Today it is recognised for its well-preserved Victorian-era heritage buildings, the West Coast Heritage Centre, and its dramatic west coast wilderness setting.

How far is Zeehan from Hobart? +

Zeehan is approximately 286 kilometres north-west of Hobart, around a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Lyell and Murchison Highways through the Tasmanian wilderness.

Does Zeehan have public transport? +

Tassielink operates infrequent coach services connecting Zeehan with other west coast towns and Devonport. There is no passenger rail service; the historic railway lines have closed. A car is strongly recommended for living in or visiting Zeehan.

What is the population of Zeehan? +

Zeehan had a population of approximately 702 residents at the 2021 Census — a fraction of its former peak of over 10,000 during the silver mining boom of the 1890s and early 1900s.

Is Zeehan a good place to live? +

Zeehan suits those who value remote living, frontier community spirit, and access to Tasmania's extraordinary west coast wilderness. It offers affordable housing and a strong sense of history, though services are limited and the climate is cool and very wet year-round.

What is the postcode for Zeehan? +

Zeehan's postcode is 7469.