Central Highlands

Central Highlands

Tasmania’s Central Highlands is in a world of its own with amazing World Heritage listed alpine scenery and wildlife. The area is also known as the Lakes Country and with over 4000 lakes it’s not hard to see why.

Consisting of a series of mountains and lakes in the Great Western Tiers range and with heights up to 1300m above sea level the area has a variety of things to see and do, including:

Hiking/Bushwalking

With over 2000km of walking tracks in Tasmania there’s plenty of walking to suit all levels of experience and fitness. Walks range from the 6 day, 60 km Overland Track to the 45 minute 3.4km Lake St Clair walk and everything in between. There are also many guided walks available with expert local guides, comfortable huts and sumptuous Tasmanian fare to make for a memorable visit to our island state.

 

Mountain Bike Riding

If you love to go by bike you can try all or parts of the Tasmanian Trail which extends some 480 km from the north to the south of the state. The Tasmanian Trail can also be traversed on foot and on horseback. Bike hire is available and also tours. 

Trout/Fly Fishing

Tasmania is home to some of the best fly fishing waters in the world especially in the Central Highlands with a number of areas being fly fishing only. Guided fly fishing adventures are available. Some waters are only accessible on foot but are well worth the journey. Hire a boat and take to the water.

 

 

Lake St Clair Ferry

Enjoy a leisurely ferry ride on the crystal clear waters of Lake St Clair, one of Australia’s deepest lakes, with the option of returning on part of the Overland track or staying on the ferry.

Historical Buildings

If you want to experience some of Tasmania’s history then a visit to the following are well worthwhile:

 

The Australasian Golf Museum located at Bothwell, home of Australia’s oldest golf course, charts the evolution of golf from its beginnings in Scotland to what it is today

 

Waddamana Power Station Museum, located at Waddamana, tells the story of Hydroelectricity in Tasmania with free entry, faithfully restored original machinery, historical photographs, interactive displays and much more.

 

Waldheim Chalet, originally built between 1912 and the early 1920s, was largely the vision and dedication of Gustav and Kate Weindorfer and is located on the Dove Lake road at Dove Lake. Waldheim Chalet provides visitors with an insight into the early history of the Cradle Mountain area and the people who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park.

 

The Steppes Historic Site, located about 35 km north west of Bothwell, on the Lake Highway (A5).  This is a good stop for a "bush picnic" and to see how the early settlers lived. Drinking water and toilet facilities are available. Also check out the walking path and bronze sculptures by renowned Tasmanian artist Stephen Walker.

Scenic Drives

An alternative route from the north to the south of the state is via the Highlands Lakes Road which highlights the stunning diversity of the area.  Parts of this road are unsealed.  The Central Highlands is also part of the self-drive network of tourist routes including the Great Western Tiers Tourist Route, the Rivers Run and Highlands Trail Routes.

 

Hunting

The Central Highlands is a renowned local hunting area for fallow deer with opportunities available for guided deer stalking and small game hunting.

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Horse Riding

Horse riding tours are available through Alpine Eucalypt and Myrtle Forests with views of Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff, Western Bluff, Mt.Roland and  Black Bluff.

 

Camping

The Central Highlands provides a full range of camping experiences from free campsites with a bring your own (of everything) approach to well-appointed caravan sites.

Golfing

If you would like to play golf as it was played in the 1800s then call in to Ratho, Located in Bothwell. Ratho is the oldest operating golf course outside of Scotland.

Play a round of golf on the 9 hole Tarraleah golf course, the highest course in Tasmania and built in the 1950s by Hydro Tasmania for the hydroelectric dam workers

National Parks

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain typify the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams tumbling out of rocky mountains, stands of ancient pines reflected in the still waters of glacial lakes and an abundance of wildlife ensure there is always something to enchant you. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania. A visit will reveal why. Cradle is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a superb 6 day walk that will take you through the heart of some of the finest mountain terrain in the world.