At Lake St Clair, the Visitor Centre to Watersmeet Walk (3.5 km return, 45 minutes, easy) leads through eucalypts, buttongrass, tea-tree and rainforest to Watersmeet where the Hugel and Cuvier rivers join. The Larmairremener Tabelti, an Aboriginal cultural walk (1 hour), branches off this track, passing beautiful panels about the culture of the Larmairremener people. Watersmeet to Platypus Bay Walk (40 minutes return) leads to the bay then returns along the shore of the lake, while Woodlands Nature Walk (1 hour one way) leads from the visitor centre to Watersmeet through rainforest, eucalypt and banksia woodlands, and open country alongside the Hugel River. At this point you can continue to Watersmeet or turn off to Shadow and Forgotten lakes (2.5 hours one way, from the visitor centre). A further 5 hours return will take you up to the summit of Mount Rufus, where the views over central and western Tasmania are some of the best in the state.
At the northern end of the park, Dove Lake circuit (6 km, 2-hour loop) skirts around the edge of the lake, passing through the Ballroom Forest and past Weindorfer’s historic boatshed, and offering beautiful views of the lake and Cradle Mountain look at this site. A short walk to Lake Lilla (20 minutes) takes in this glacial lake amid pretty alpine scenery. From Dove Lake there are also tracks to Wombat Pool, Marions Lookout, Hansons Peak, and Lake Wilks (all 3 hours, moderate–hard). The Cradle Summit track (6 km, 4 hours) is a hard uphill climb.
From the Cradle Mountain visitor centre an all-weather wheelchair-accessible walk (500 metres) goes through rainforest to a viewing point over Pencil Pine Falls. The Enchanted Walk (20 minutes) circles around the rainforest next to Pencil Pine Creek near Cradle Mountain Lodge. Weindorfer’s Forest Walk (20 minutes) from Waldheim Chalet passes through king billy pines and myrtle beech forests on the land originally owned by Gustav and Kate Weindorfer.
Hikers have been visiting this scenic area in the heart of the heritage listed Tasmanian Wilderness area for decades, enjoying the day walks near the lake or the famed Overland Track. If you’re already carrying your own tent and sleeping gear, why not make a memorable camp nestled in the trees within short walking distance to the water’s edge. It is the ideal location for both campers and bushwalkers or for schools, clubs and family bookings. There are powered and unpowered sites for tents, caravans and small motorhomes.
Our Bunkhouse provides basic sleeping accommodation in keeping with the style of the rustic timber huts of the Overland track, enjoyed mostly by backpackers and hikers whose modest accommodation requirements can be met with a simple bed and heated shelter.
Lake St Clair Tourist Park
Lake St Clair Road
Lake St Clair, TAS, 7140
+61 3 6289 1137
