Iron Blow Lookout — Attraction in Gormanston

It is difficult to describe the sheer majesty of the ironblow in words, however I have been considering writing a book on the topic and often find myself talking about it during HR meetings at work. The iron blow is the most spectacular natural feature you will ever see between Gormanston to the east and the locals of Queenstown to the west. In order to truly appreciate the ironblow you have to know the history. As far as I can understand, the ironblow was dug out in the mid-late pleistocene period by local natives due to environmental concerns about the west coast Tasmania refuse and waste situation A hole of epic proportions, the use of ironblow quickly become contentious. Whilst many agreed its purpose was purely for the disposal of old car tyres, mangled bicycles and unpalatable meat, others suggested the cultural importance and spiritual connection they felt to the hole required respect and protection. The hole, they said, symbolised the gaping void in their own lives. To this everyone agreed, and an excellent diving board has now been constructed for the public's use over the hole, so we can all enjoy it to maximum potential. I personally have never used it as the water level is far too low to be safe and their are no employed life guards at all - even though we apparently have a jobs crisis.

It is great to see tourism really opening up in the west coast of Tasmania and it is vital we support the economy by creating more holes, possibly of different shapes and sizes, to offer further locations to meditate and reflect over. I feel this is the way forward to create unanimity in the human race. I would not be surprised if helicopter tours of the hole are soon available...

29/3/25 - “Your Travelling Silversmith” Iron Blow Lookout - Queenstown, Tasmania. The Iron Blow is the site of the earliest major mining open venture at Mount Lyell, back in 1883. Now an abandoned open cut mine although a local we were chatting to says that a huge amount of money is being spent on it by new owners upgrading it to be able to eventually open the site again. The original Iron Blow was a large projecting outcrop of hard ironstone discovered by prospectors in the early 1880's, and worked unsuccessfully for gold. Canny mining investors from Melbourne recognised the copper potential of the concealed ore body near the Blow, and bought the failed gold mine in 1891. The lookout gives a vertigo-inducing view of a landscape scarred by historical mining activity. Bob walked out onto a cantilevered lookout which gave us a fantastic view over the former open cut mine and the Linda Valley. The extended platform allows you to look down into the now water filled crater of the...

Beautiful place. amazing view.

luckily the weather was good. we could see rainbow and colorful mountains due to scattered sun, cloud and mist. This is worth the trip up the windy dirt road especially in summer when the water is a vivid blue from the high copper content in the water. The Iron Blow was a mine originally started for gold but quickly converted to extract the large quantities of copper they found and it is copper leaching out into the flooded pit that gives the vivid blue colour. There is a wheelchair accessible walkway/ramp that goes out over part of the pit for a better view into the pit. Views of the surrounding region are quite...