We welcome visitors and encourage you to enjoy camping, fishing, paddling, boating, water-skiing, bushwalking and other activities.

Planning your visit

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:

  • Being aware of the risks involved in your chosen activity
  • Making sure you're properly equipped and skilled
  • Checking local conditions (weather, water levels or fire alerts)
  • Following all signs, warnings and safety advice


Staying safe around hydropower

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:

  • Water levels and flows can change suddenly, without warning
  • Strong currents can pull you toward intakes or spillways
  • Fast-moving water downstream of power stations can be hazardous
  • Some areas are off-limits for your safety

Stay safe by watching out for:

  • Sudden water level changes
  • Strong currents and turbulent water
  • Flash flooding
  • Slippery or unstable banks
  • Floating or hidden debris
  • Other users like paddlers, skiers, and fishers

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.

Activities on Hydro Tasmania land and waterways

  • Boating

  • Camping

  • Horse riding

  • Hunting and carrying firearms

  • Trail bikes

  • Swimming

  • Water-skiing

Quick answers for visitors

  • Emergencies, crime and unsafe water activities

  • Toilets

  • Dogs

  • Drones

  • Litter

  • Parking

  • Wood collection

Alerts for visitors

Information about site closures, area alerts, and restricted opening hours.

Alerts for visitors

  • Edgar Dam Campground and Boat Ramp

  • Butlers Gorge Road - closed WEEKDAYS

  • Lake King William campground closure

  • Lake Rosebery - update

  • Pedder Wilderness Lodge - Accommodation closure, restaurant and fuel services still open daily (LONG-TERM ALERT)

  • Bailey Bridge - Closure (PERMANENT ALERT)

  • Gowrie Park - DO NOT CONSUME WATER (PERMANENT ALERT)

  • Lake Mackintosh - Access to campground and boat ramps (PERMANENT ALERT)

  • Lake Pieman - Access to campground and boat ramp (PERMANENT ALERT)

  • Lake Plimsoll - Access to boat ramp (PERMANENT ALERT)

  • Poatina - Boil water (PERMANENT ALERT)

The visitor information and safety guidelines set out on this page form the conditions of entry to Hydro Tasmania's recreational sites.   Any person who does not comply with the relevant conditions will be trespassing and Hydro Tasmania will pursue prosecution.

Disclaimer: Hydro Tasmania constantly reviews our sites and facilities for safety and maintenance. We reserve the right to temporarily or permanently close any site or facility at any given time without notice.