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The Margate Train: A Quirky Tasmanian Landmark
Explore a piece of Tasmania's railway history at The Margate Train, a unique shopping and dining destination housed in historic train carriages.
The Margate Train is a unique roadside attraction in Margate, Tasmania, featuring a preserved steam locomotive and carriages from the former Tasman Limited passenger train. These carriages have been repurposed into a collection of shops, offering a memorable shopping experience.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to The Margate Train
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
1567 Channel Hwy, Margate, Tasmania, 7054, AU
Monday
9:30 am-5 pm
Tuesday
9:30 am-5 pm
Wednesday
9:30 am-5 pm
Thursday
9:30 am-5 pm
Friday
9:30 am-5 pm
Saturday
9:30 am-5 pm
Sunday
9:30 am-5 pm
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Getting There
Driving
The Margate Train is located on the Channel Highway (A6), approximately 20 minutes south of Hobart. From Hobart, follow the Southern Outlet (A6) south towards Kingston. Continue on the Channel Highway through Kingston and continue south to Margate. The Margate Train will be on your left. There is plenty of parking available on site.
Public Transport
The Metro Tasmania bus service operates the 412 route from Hobart to Margate. The bus departs from Hobart Interchange, Macquarie Street, Stop D1, and arrives at Margate Central, No. 1703 Channel Highway. From there, the Margate Train is a short walk north along the Channel Highway. The bus trip takes approximately 27 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around $4.
Taxi/Ride Share
Taxi and ride-share services like Uber are available from Hobart to the Margate Train. The journey typically takes around 17 minutes and costs approximately $45 - $55.
Local tips
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Enjoy a meal at the pancake parlor, known for its delicious pancakes and coffee.
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Browse the unique shops for locally made arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, and books.
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Explore the antique warehouse located in the old apple packing shed next to the train.
Discover more about The Margate Train
The Margate Train offers a nostalgic and quirky experience just south of Hobart. This unique attraction features the preserved carriages of the Tasman Limited, which served as a passenger train between Hobart and Launceston until 1978. Today, the carriages house a variety of retail businesses, including arts and crafts, a book exchange, and a pancake cafe, giving the train its local nickname, the Pancake Train.
Located beside a former Henry Jones IXL apple packing shed, the Margate Train is a visible reminder of the area's industrious past. The site includes a plinthed steam locomotive, carriages, and two sheds. The locomotive, MA3, is a Tasmanian Government Railways MA Class engine from 1952. The carriages consist of an Articulated Country Saloon (ACS) carriage #1, an SS class suburban carriage, and a DP Class railmotor. While the steam engine never hauled the Tasman Limited, ACS carriage #1 was purpose-built for the service.
Visitors can explore the various shops within the train carriages, browse antiques in the nearby warehouse, and enjoy a meal. The Margate Train offers a memorable stop for travelers exploring the Channel region.
A brief summary to The Margate Train
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