THE HEART OF TASSIE

Touring Tasmania’s Central Highlands.

East West Trail. Pic: Aaron Wells/ parks.tas.gov.au

Tasmania’s Central Highlands encompasses a sprawling region over 8,000 square kilometres, making up over 12% of the Apple Isle’s land mass.

There are different regional flavours to be found in different corners of the highlands, but overall the alpine plateau has a distinctly different feel to the much more heavily trafficked coastal fringes of the state.

The Central Highlands, also known as the Lakes World Heritage region, is, unsurprisingly, home to the cream of Tassie’s trout fishing lakes.

It’s said to be home to the best trout fishing in the Southern Hemisphere.

The landscapes are gorgeous and the crisp mountain air feels good for the soul. While we certainly recommend spending as much time as possible out and about exploring the World Heritage Area and sampling the famous trout fishing, a visit to some of the highlands’ historical sites is a chance to learn about the region’s colonial history dating back to the early 19^th century.

Central Plateau. Pic: Dan Broun/ parks.tas.gov.au

LAKE COUNTRY

This is the land of the lakes, to be sure. Each of the Central Highlands’ pristine freshwater lakes would make for a destination worth travelling for.

Put them all together in the same region, and you can see what’s so special about this place.

Arthurs Lake is one of the most popular in the region with travelling trout fishos, and if you get a chance to wet a line here, it’s not hard to see why.

It’s well stocked with a multitude of feisty brown trout and has good boat launching facilities with camping available around the foreshore.

Lake Pedder is located within the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and was the last of the region’s glacial lakes to be dammed.

Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, is located at the southern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The scenery here is spectacular and it’s a hotspot for adventure-orientated travellers.

Mount Olympus Lake St Clair. Pic: parks.tas.gov.au

THE GREAT LAKE

The Great Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the country and one of the best freshwater fishing destinations in Tasmania. It’s renowned for its brown trout fishing and is very popular with travelling anglers.

Certain sections of the lake, including Todds Corner and Canal Bay, are reserved exclusively for those using artificial lures.

Miena is a lakeside town that tends to attract a lot of visitors, particularly during the warmer spring and summer months. It’s the ideal spot to base oneself while exploring the Great Lake and surrounds.

The area is known as one of the coldest spots in Tassie throughout the winter months. Although it’s more sparsely populated through winter, the snow-covered landscape is stunning and presents awesome photographic opportunities for those prepared to brave the chill.

THE GREAT LAKE HOTEL

The Great Lake Hotel is a century-old establishment on the shores of the Great Lake. It’s a perfect base to stay at while exploring the Central Highlands.

Single, double, queen and family sized rooms are available for guests, with continental breakfast provided.

The dining is excellent, with daily lunch and dinner sittings making use of high quality fish and game as well as plenty of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Central Highlands Tasmania Pty Ltd purchased The Great Lake Hotel and surrounding land. Over the next four years the property will be redeveloped into what will be known as Miena Village.

The development will incorporate a new hotel (still to be called the Great Lake Hotel), relocated to a more elevated position to take advantage of stunning lake views.

An independent, fully stocked grocery store will be built on the property to compliment the new hotel + accommodation and to provide guests with everything from fresh produce and staples to fishing tackle and hiking gear.