WADDAMANA HERITAGE SITE AND POWER TRAIL
Located in Tasmania’s rugged Central Highlands, Waddamana is the site of Hydro Tasmania’s first power station and the centre-piece of the Great Lake Power Scheme.
Development of Waddamana Power Station and the scheme commenced in 1910 through a private company, however financial struggles forced a sale to the Tasmanian government in 1914. Tasmania’s Hydro-Electric Department was formed to continue the ambitious development.
A 52-minute drive from the Lodge.
The Steppes Site has a long and fascinating history dating from 1863. It was the home of the Wilson family for over 100 years and during much of that time was the hub of local community life, incorporating not only the Homestead, but also a police station, post office, bakery and school.
Today, this reserve is maintained by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service because of its historical significance to Tasmania’s Central Highlands.
A 40-minute drive from the Lodge or a place to stop if driving from/to the South.
BEAUMONTS MEMORIAL - MIENA
The settler and first Sheriff of Tasmania, John Beaumont (1798-1872), explored the Central Highlands plateau during December 1817. John Beamont’s most noted contribution to the development of Van Diemans Land was his exploration in December 1817 of the Central Plateau.
Situated a short walk from the Great Lake Dam Walls.
A 30-minute drive from the Lodge or a place to stop if driving from/to the South.
The Pine Lake walk offers a rare opportunity to get close to one of Tasmania’s rarest trees, the Pencil Pine, without doing an extended bushwalk. Off the Lake Highway on the Central Plateau, this easy 800m return walk leads to a small alpine lake fringed by beautiful pines.
This ancient species evolved before flowering plants and is only found in the Tasmanian highlands.
A 36-minute drive from the Lodge or a place to stop if driving from/to the North.
These beautiful, multi-level falls are nestled in deep, mossy forest beneath the spectacular Great Western Tiers. Water from the plateau flows into the Liffey River. As it rushes downslope it erodes away the softer mudstone, exposing sandstone steps over which the abundant waters tumble.
A 73-minute drive from the Lodge or a place to stop if driving from/to the North.
BUSHWALKING - CENTRAL PLATEAU AND GREAT WESTERN TIERS
Tasmania has some of the longest and most challenging walks in the country. However, there are also other areas that offer varied and scenic walking possibilities, such as the Central Plateau and Great Western Tiers Conservation Areas. Summer and Autumn are the best and safest walking periods on the plateau, as it is often snow covered during winter and early spring.