Looking down on Bronte Lagoon boat ramp, extending out from the shoreline into the clear blue lagoon. A man stands on the boat ramp, with his boat tied to the left-hand side.

12 Days of recreation sites!

24 December 2021



In the spirit of the silly season, here’s our attempt at a Christmas carol to guide you through 12 of Hydro Tasmania's campgrounds, lookouts, boat ramps and other recreation sites which have recently been upgraded.

 

Tasmania is blessed with beautiful scenery and waterways, and many of them are managed by Hydro Tasmania. We invest in our campgrounds, boat ramps and other recreation sites so you can enjoy being in Tassie as much as we do!

 

Here’s our take on The 12 Days of Christmas spent at picturesque locations around the state.

 

Cover image: Bronte Lagoon boat ramp

 

 

"1 paddler paddling" - Bronte Lagoon boat ramp and campground 

Bronte Lagoon, downstream of the Pine and Nive Rivers, supplies the nearby Tungatinah Power Station. But more importantly, it’s known as a reliable fishery for brown trout. This year, we’ve improved road access and given the campground a tidy-up, which is only a five minute walk from the boat ramp! 

Bronte Lagoon campground

 

Looking out onto Bronte Lagoon


"2 campers camping" - Tungatinah Lagoon camp ground

Nestled amongst the bottom of the Bradys Chain is Tungatinah Lagoon. This year, our teams worked hard to improve the campground on the Lagoon to make the site safer and more accessible. This site is great for fishing and has campervan access.  

 

"3 tourists touring" - Lake Pieman and Reece Dam hilltop lookout 

Our newly upgraded hilltop lookout overlooks Reece Dam on the Pieman River, with the Reece Power Station sitting beside the base of the dam – our furthest power station from Hobart. It’s a great spot to stop for a bite to eat and enjoy a tremendous view. Drive across the dam wall to continue your journey out through the wild west. 

 

The view of Reece Dam from the lookout, with Reece power station nestled in downstream

 

 

"4 anglers angling" - Dee Lagoon boat ramp

It’s easier than ever to enjoy the good trout fishing at Dee Lagoon. The boat ramp at Spillway Bay was upgraded with the assistance of Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) who are working with us to improve fishing spots like this throughout Tasmania.

 

Dees Lagoon boat ramp

 

"5 rowers rowing" - Lake Barrington pontoon

Lake Barrington is a Northern Tasmanian gem. It’s home to our incredible Devils Gate Dam, Forth Falls, a rowing course which has produced Olympic athletes, and at one time was even named Tasmania’s finest drinking water! Together with MAST, we built this pontoon at Lake Barrington Park.

 

Lake Barrington pontoon

 

"6 boaters boating" - Woodwards Bay canal markers

To help keep boaters safe on the water, MAST has installed navigational aids in Woodwards Bay at the southern end of Bronte Lagoon. North, east and west cardinal marks the submerged, shallow canal banks which extend north from the mouth of Woodwards Canal.

 

"7 visitors gazing" - Knob Hill lookout at Gordon Dam

A right turn off Gordon River Road will give you a stunning look at Gordon Dam from Knob Hill. This was a key location during the dam’s construction, providing an incredible overview of the project below.

 

View of Gordon Dam from Knob Hill

 

"8 jetties… er, jetting?" - Lake Rosebery jetty and campground, Tullah

Lake Rosebery on the West Coast is a spectacular spot for fishing, by the former Hydro town of Tullah. On the lake’s south shore, we’ve sealed the road on the way in and improved the campground, adding to our works from last year to make the jetty more accessible. The campground is suitable for campervans.

 

Looking out onto Lake Rosebery

 

Upgraded roads at Lake Rosebery campground 

 

"9 Instagrammers clicking" - Tarraleah penstock lookout

One of Hydro Tasmania’s most photographed sites now has a viewing area, seating, parking and interpretation panels throughout the area, which provide fascinating details and photographs on Tarraleah’s history and role in the hydropower system.

 

Tarraleah lookout

 

"10...cats? (OK this is just silly now)" - Catagunya boat ramp

One of those out-of-the-way places, which happens to be almost adjacent to our Wayatinah Power Station. Last year, the road was upgraded and dead trees were cleared to create more space for parking and camping.


"11 picnickers… picnicking?" - Trevallyn picnic area

A great spot for a family day trip, with nearby day walks and a perfect view of Trevallyn Dam. This area underwent a major revamp last year, with a whole swag of new facilities and information on how we look after the local environment now available to the public. 

 

Trevallyn dam interpretation panel

 

"12… Mackenzies? I give up!" - Lake Mackenzie Road

 

Lake Mackenzie Road takes you through a beautiful part of the Great Western Tiers Conservation Area, to Lake Mackenzie boat ramp and the Devils Gullet Lookout. Sometimes the road is closed due to snow. Other times, it will just be you and the wedge-tailed eagles.

 

 

There are many more stunning locations for you to enjoy over the Christmas break… and anytime! You can visit our ‘Find A Site’ interactive map to search for your perfect location.

 

Before you leave, make sure to keep up to date with any visitor alerts, and our tips on staying safe around hydropower.

 

Merry Christmas one and all!

 

 

 

 

Taking your four-legged friend on tour with you this summer? Check out our next blog on dog-friendly sites around Tasmania by clicking here.

 

 

Thank you for the comment! Your comment must be approved first
Load more comments
comment-avatar


Featured

Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site

Waddamana re-opens after the fires >

The Waddamana Power Station Heritage Site has re-opened to the public, having survived Tasmania's relentless summer fires. It is Hydro Tasmania’s first power station and the centrepiece of the Great Lake Power Scheme, which is entered on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.


Man and boy in a boat holding a fish

World class in our backyard >

To coincide with the opening of the angling season, we asked our Senior Aquatic Scientist David Ikedife for some tips on where to head to make the most of Tasmania's waterways



101 on pitching a tent >

If you’re packing the camping gear into the boot of the car this holiday season there’s a good chance you’ll come across some of our camping and recreation sites. If you’re not sure where they are or which one would be best for you, take a look at our ‘find-a-site’ interactive map.