Tasmania's Central Plateau Conservation Area extends west and south from the escarpment of the Great Western Tiers, abutting the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.
Anglers travel here from all over Australia to fish wild trout. Some of the most popular lakes are described below.
The only town on the Central Plateau itself is Bothwell, an historic settlement famous for being the location of Australia's first golf course. Despite its small population, the plateau supports a number of fishing lodges, many of which are collections of buildings that once housed Hydro-Electric Commission workers servicing the dams and hydro-electric schemes of the region.
At 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) above sea level, the Central Plateau is often frosty and in winter is subject to sleet and snow.
The Lake Highway (A5) from Deloraine in the north to Melton Mowbray on the Midland (Heritage) Highway (A1) provides access to Great Lake, while the B51 between Longford in the north and Bothwell in the south provides access to Arthurs Lake. The southern lakes can be reached by turning off the Lyell Highway between Hobart and Queenstown just north of Tarraleah.
Arthurs Lake is on the edge of the Central Plateau, east of Great Lake. It is a popular angling location and has good facilities for boat launching and camping. Weather in the highlands can change fast, making boating conditions dangerous. Please carry all required safety equipment and check local weather forecasts before you launch.
Bronte and Dee Lagoons, Bradys Lake and Lake Echo are members of a group of lakes on the southern rim of the plateau offering fine trout fishing opportunities and boat launching facilities. Accommodation is available nearby at Bronte Park and Tarraleah.
Great Lake is Australia's largest permanent natural freshwater lake, and also the source of a significant amount of Tasmania's hydro-electric power. Accommodation and camping are available at Miena, on its southern shore. Other basic facilities including boat ramps are sited at Tods Corner and Breona.
Tasmania's first hydro-electric power station is now a fascinating museum, with restored machinery and displays describing the pioneer days of power development in the highlands. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available. From the north, take the A5 to the gravel C178 south of Great Lake. From here it's 25-kilometres (15.5 mile) to Waddamana, where you can branch off on a 40-kilometres (25 miles) route back to the A5 north of Bothwell or continue south on the C177 for another 70 kilometres (43.5) to the Lyell Highway at Ouse.
On the C178, perched above the power station, is Penstock Lagoon, a renowned fly fishing water.
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