We welcome visitors and encourage you to enjoy camping, fishing, paddling, boating, water-skiing, bushwalking and other activities.
Hydro Tasmania manages around 120,000 hectares of land and waterways, including 13,000 hectares within the iconic Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. We're proud to be Australia’s largest water manager.
To explore all our recreation sites, including site-specific warnings and safety requirements, please visit our interactive map.
Your safety is your responsibility
Outdoor activities can involve risks. Please take care of your own safety and that of others by:
Hydro Tasmania uses fast-moving water to generate clean energy. While we welcome visitors to enjoy our lakes and rivers, some areas can be dangerous, even when the water looks calm.
Why it’s risky:
Stay safe by watching out for:
Exclusion Zones
Most of our lakes and waterways are operational assets for generating renewable energy. This means that water levels and flows can change very rapidly.
As a result, some areas are prohibited for swimming, boating, paddling or walking. These zones are clearly signed and must be avoided as dangers may not be obvious (i.e. underwater current). Exclusion zones in place to keep everyone, including our staff, safe.
Check signs at boat ramps and warning signs around lakes for updates.
Water releases
We manage water for energy but also balance this with supporting other uses such as farming, recreation, biodiversity and town supply. Visit our Water Releases page to check lake levels or request special water releases.
Please adhere to all boating regulations, minimum safety rules and courtesies. Check the boat ramp sign on-site.
Always wear a life vest on the water and follow all speed limits.
Marine and Safety Tasmania regulates the use of motorised and non-motorised craft on our waterways. Compliance of recreational boating safety on Hydro Tasmania’s public recreational waters is regulated through:
For more information, please visit Marine and Safety Tasmania website or the by-laws.
Camping is allowed at selected sites managed by Hydro Tasmania. You can find site details on our Find a Site page.
Stay durations vary by site:
Be self-sufficient
All campers, including those in caravans, campervans, and motorhomes must bring their own toilet and water.
Effluent must be emptied at approved disposal stations outside of Hydro Tasmania land.
Campfires
Campfires are not permitted unless clearly stated at the site.If allowed, you must:
Additional restrictions may apply during fire bans or permit periods. Check the Tasmanian Fire Service website for current conditions.
Noise & generator Use
Thanks for helping us keep these sites safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.
Horse riding on Hydro Tasmania land is only permitted where there is a designated riding trail.
To be eligible to hunt on our land, lakes or waterways, please ensure you;
Failure to comply with any of these conditions may result in prosecution by Tasmania Police.
Duck hunting
Subject to complying with the following conditions, individuals are now permitted to hunt on designated land, lakes or waterways without the need to seek our permission.
Designated duck hunting areas include:
Duck hunting is limited to the abovementioned areas. We may designate restricted areas within the boundaries of the land from time to time. Shooting is strictly prohibited in any restricted area.
Duck hunting is not permitted at any of our other land or waterways.
Deer hunting
In collaboration with Parks and Wildlife Services and Game Services Tasmania, the sections of our land available for deer hunting is now allocated to hunters as part of the Public Land Deer Hunting Ballot.
For more information, please contact:
Public Land Deer Hunting Ballot GameServices TasmaniaGPO Box 44, Hobart TAS 7001Ph: 1300 292 292deerballot@nre.tas.gov.au
Carrying Firearms on Hydro Tasmania Land
We may issue a licence to allow you to carry a firearm across our land if you're accessing neighbouring property for legal hunting.
To apply, please email applications.mailbox@hydro.com.au with the subject line: "Carrying firearms request."
When on our land (including lakes and waterways), you may be asked to show proof that you’re allowed to hunt on the adjoining property.
It is illegal to carry a firearm on Hydro Tasmania land without our written permission.
This does not apply to:
Hydro Tasmania may restrict firearm use at any time to protect public safety, our staff, infrastructure, or sensitive environmental areas.
Off-road trail bike riding is prohibited on Hydro Tasmania land. Only registered bikes are allowed, and they must stay on public roads and abide by the relevant road rules.
You are welcome to swim in our lakes that are open, however, you must remember:
Water-skiing is allowed at four lakes including Lake Trevallyn, Lake Meadowbank, Lake Rosebery, and Lake Barrington.
In the event of an emergency, please dial 000 or to report a non-urgent crime please contact Tasmania Police assistance line on 131 444.
To report unsafe and non-compliant watercraft behaviour, please contact Marine and Safety Tasmania.
Most Hydro Tasmania recreation areas don’t have toilets. Please follow minimal impact camping by:
Don’t bury sanitary items — take them with you.Only empty portable toilets and caravan waste at approved disposal sites.
Dogs are welcome on most of our land if they’re on a lead or under effective control. In land that is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Areas, local rules apply so please check onsite signs or contact Parks and Wildlife Service.
Recreational drone use over Hydro Tasmania land and assets is not permitted. If you want to use a drone for filming, media, research, or education, you must apply for approval. Learn more and access the application form on our drone use page.
Littering is not permitted on any Hydro Tasmania land or waterway. Please respect the environment and ensure you remove all rubbish with you when you leave.
Please park responsibly. Do not prevent access to the boat ramp or public sites.
Cutting or collecting wood is not permitted on any Hydro Tasmania land.
These facilities will be closed from 28 January 2025 until mid-2026 due to construction activity associated with the Edgar Dam upgrades.
If you’re visiting during this period, you may encounter more traffic along Scotts Peak Road (including big trucks) and if you’re intending on travelling through to Scotts Peak Dam or Huon Campground, please be prepared for short delays as you will need to pass through the work site. We apologise for these disruptions.
Use our interactive recreational map to discover alternative destinations and facilities, including nearby boat ramps at Scotts Peak and Strathgordon. You can also camp at Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife campsites at Huon and Teds Beach.
For more information about the project, please visit https://connect.hydro.com.au/edgar-dam-strengthening-project or you can email Jane Alpine.
Butlers Gorge Road remains closed on weekdays from 7am to 5pm. This closure will be in place for the foreseeable future as we continue upgrade works at Lake King William.
This closure is to ensure public safety while we undertake works to construct a new water intake at Lake King William and there is increased heavy vehicle activity on the road.
The road is open outside of these hours, providing access to the lookout and boat ramp.
The Lake King William campground will remain closed for the foreseeable future. We apologise for any inconvenience.
There is no change to access to Mossy Marsh Dam which remains open for anglers and recreational use.
For more information about the works being undertaken at Lake King William, visit https://connect.hydro.com.au/reimagining-tarraleah
The campground at Lake King William will be closed until late 2025 due to construction activity associated with the upgrade works currently underway at Tarraleah. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Please enjoy one of our many other recreational campsites. The boat ramp at Lake King William remains open for use.
For more information about the Tarraleah project and to ask questions, please visit https://connect.hydro.com.au/reimagining-tarraleah
Lake Rosebery is now reopened to the public, including the boat ramp, after an oil spill in early 2025.
Booms will remain in place around a very small section of Henry Bay. These booms will remain along the banks of the gorge as part of the final clean-up effort and these areas should be avoided.
The Department of Health has updated advice for the public using the lake. Recent water quality testing at Lake Rosebery has shown that the water is safe for recreational activities like swimming.
The Department of Health and Inland Fisheries Service have worked together to sample and assess the safety of trout caught from Lake Rosebery. It is safe to eat trout caught from all areas open to the public.
The Department of Health recommends not eating eels caught in Lake Rosebery until further testing that includes eels is completed in the coming months.
For further information on the oil spill, please refer to the Lake Rosebery information hub.
Accommodation at Pedder Wilderness Lodge is unavailable until further notice, as the lodge being used to house Hydro Tasmania employees and contractors currently undertaking refurbishment works at the Gordon Power Station.
The Twelevetrees Bar and Restaurant as well as the Fuel services will still be open from 11am to 3pm daily, with lunch being served between 12pm and 2pm.
Opening hours will be reassessed during the winter months to accommodate changes in visitor numbers.
To stay up to date with updates for Pedder Wilderness Lodge, follow them on Facebook by clicking here, and visit their website here.
We appreciate your patience and support as our teams embark on these vital upgrades at Gordon Power Station. The team at Pedder Wilderness Lodge can't wait to welcome you for lunch throughout the year!
The Bailey bridge on Lake Repulse Road has been permanently closed.
New locked boom gates have been installed at both ends of the bridge, closing the bridge to vehicle access. Walking, horse riding and push bike riding across the bridge are still permitted.
The load rating of the bridge has been reduced from 7 to 3.5 tonnes to allow ongoing safe operation for access to the Repulse Power Station only.
Residents of Dawson Road, and others in the area who normally use the bridge, are encouraged to access Dawson Road vis Ellendale Road, south of Ouse.
If travelling in the area, please exercise caution.
For further information contact us on 1300 360 441 or via contactus@hydro.com.au
Visitors to Gowrie Park should not consume water from the local reticulated water supply. Boiling the water will not make it safe to:
Drinking the water is a low risk for pets. If you are concerned you should contact your veterinarian.
If you feel sick after consuming water, please contact your GP in the first instance or the Department of Health on 1800 671 738.
To ensure public safety, the Lake Mackintosh spillway road gate is closed to prevent access to the campground and boat ramps when the lake is within 0.3m from its full supply. For more information on lake levels, or to check the current level of Lake Mackintosh, please visit www.hydro.com.au/water/lake-levels
It can be very dangerous to use the spillway road when lake levels are high, so please do not enter when the gate is closed. The gate will only reopen when Lake Mackintosh is more than 0.3m from full, and when it is not expected for the lake to spill in the coming week.
To ensure public safety, the Lake Pieman spillway road gate is closed to prevent access to the campground and boat ramp when the lake is within 0.5m from its full supply. For more information on lake levels, or to check the current level of Lake Pieman, please visit www.hydro.com.au/water/lake-levels
It can be very dangerous to be in proximity to the lake when levels are high, so please do not enter when the gate is closed. The gate will only reopen when Lake Pieman is more than 0.5m from full, and when it is not expected for the lake to spill in the coming week.
To ensure public safety, the Lake Plimsoll boat ramp boom gate is closed to prevent access to the boat ramp when the lake is within 0.3m from its full supply. For more information on lake levels, or to check the current level of Lake Plimsoll, please visit www.hydro.com.au/water/lake-levels
It can be very dangerous to be in proximity to the lake when levels are high, so please do not enter when the gate is closed. The gate will only reopen when Lake Plimsoll is more than 0.3m from full, and when it is not expected for the lake to spill in the coming week.
Visitors to Poatina are advised to boil all water from the local reticulated water supply before using it for:
Bring the water to a rolling boil until a continuous and rapid stream of air bubbles is produced from the bottom of the pan or kettle. Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable. After boiling, water may be stored or refrigerated in a clean, closed container.
Drinking unboiled water could make you sick. Particular caution should be taken by pregnant women, infants and young children, who may be at a higher risk. There is no increased risk to pets.
If you are concerned that you may be sick after consuming water, please contact your GP in the first instance or the Department of Health on 1800 671 738.