The Margate Train

The Margate Train offers shopping with a difference at Margate, southern Tasmania. Margate is 20 minutes south of Hobart (19 kilometres) and a short drive south of Kingston. The Margate Train - formerly known as the Tasman Limited - made its final rail journey on 28 July 1978. The Tasman Limited was built in England in 1950 and served as a passenger service between Hobart and Launceston until 1978. The train's carriages now house a variety of retail businesses including arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, a microbrewery and a buffet car offering espresso coffee and pancake parlour. There is also a huge antique warehouse and second-hand shop here, located in an old IXL apple packing shed, as well as a children's play area, toilets, baby change facility and plenty of car parking.