Tasmania |Pumphouse Point Lake St Clair 2025

How can anyone resist three nights of deep rest, crisp alpine air, and nature’s pristine silence.

Speed Read

Pumphouse Point is a distinctive adults-only wilderness retreat nestled on the shores of Lake St Clair in Tasmania’s Central Highlands. This boutique accommodation repurposes two heritage-listed industrial buildings—the Pumphouse and the Shorehouse—originally constructed in the 1940s as part of Tasmania’s hydroelectric scheme. The Pumphouse, situated at the end of a 250-metre flume extending over the lake, offers guests a unique experience of staying above Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. The retreat emphasizes a blend of rugged simplicity and comfort, with interiors featuring local Tasmanian timber and a neutral colour palette that complements the surrounding wilderness.

Guests can enjoy communal dining experiences, with meals showcasing local produce, and relax in lounges with fireplaces.

Pumphouse Point serves as a gateway to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, offering access to over 100 kilometres of walking tracks, e-bike trails, and opportunities for fishing and boating on Lake St Clair. The retreat’s design and operations are guided by principles of environmental stewardship, aiming to minimize impact while providing a serene and immersive nature experience.

Our Pumphouse Experience: July 2025

Before confusion sets in, let’s get the terminology right. Pumphouse Point is the name of the property which offers three accommodation options: the Pumphouse, the Shorehouse and the Retreat.

We first stayed at Pumphouse Point in 2021. Since then, the property has been sold and purchased by the NRMA. Had it changed? We were keen to find out…

On arrival we are pleased to see a complimentary glass of ice-cold Pirie NV sparkling wine was still served during an informal debrief while our bags are transported to our room via a golf buggy.  We’re doubly chuffed to discover we have the same room we booked for our first stay.  This time, we had originally booked the Pumphouse Queen room but when Pumphouse Point staff saw our names on file, they gave us a complimentary upgrade to the King room. And King it is! Generously proportioned and super comfortable.

Breakfast and dinner is served in the main communal dining space. Mornings begin with made-to-order barista coffee and hearty, homecooked-style breakfasts that warm you against the Tasmanian chill, while your days are yours to wander the misty lake edges or simply pause, letting the pure, chilled air fill your lungs and clear your mind.

Chef-created dinners are served each evening, celebrating Tasmania’s seasonal produce in comforting, elegant dishes best enjoyed as the sun sets across the water. At lunch, craft your own larder feast from the abundance waiting on your kitchen bench and in your fridge—local cheeses, freshly baked bread, seasonal fruits, and other Tasmanian treats to enjoy wherever your day takes you. Backpacks hang on your bedroom wall giving you the freedom to lunch wherever your fancy takes you, whether it’s beside the lake or amongst the local wildlife you may meet along your hiking trail. Oh, and let’s not forget the fresh bread you can order any time of day! For a closer look at our dining experience check out https://montyandme.com.au/on-the-menu-at-pumphouse-point/

Stay

You have the choice of several well-appointed ensuite rooms in the Pumphouse and the Shorehouse (on the mainland opposite the Pumphouse), or one of the contemporary retreats adjacent the Shorehouse.  We loved staying in the Pumphouse – Room Number Four. It’s the first room on the right on ground level when you enter the Pumphouse. When you wake in the morning, you feel as though you are floating on the lake. The soft dawn light filters through the mist rising from the lake; the glass- calm water mirrors the hues of pale peach, lavender and soft grey skies. The stillness of the lake stretches out before you, framed by dark silhouettes of ancient forests and rugged highland ridges beyond.

Photos from left: the Shorehouse – rooms are located on the ground floor and second story; to the right of the Shorehouse is are separate brown timber buildings hidden by trees called The Retreat; the black building attached to the Shorehouse is the main dining space.

Walking across the flume at dusk you can often catch occasional ripples from a platypus or waterbird gliding across the surface. Mountain peaks in the distance, capped with snow or low cloud, adds depth and drama to the peaceful lake expanse.

Do

You’re staying in a nature lover’s paradise. Hiking, exploring, following the local trails, e-bike riding, rowing on the lake (season and weather permitting), or simply sitting by the fire and getting lost in a good book while sipping a hot brew or glass of wine are pleasant ways to pass the time.

We rode the Pumphouse Point’s e-bikes to Lake St Clair Visitor Centre. It’s an easy ride.  You can take the 25-min scenic ride along the lake’s edge; we had walked this route last time we were at there, this time we chose the unsealed rode then turned right turn onto the C193.

The Visitor Centre is at the southern end of Lake St Clair. Home to a small ‘museum’ and gift shop, the centre is staffed by information officers; it’s open from 8.15am to 4.30pm daily.

Also located in the centre is a café and Trapper & Miggins bar. They serve a tidy budget-friendly rose that’s worth the stop. En route back to Pumphouse Point stop for a short break at Lake St Clair Lagoon

Price: $$$

Accommodation varies. The cost includes all meals and larder food. Coffee and tea are complimentary. The only time you’ll have to put your hand in your pocket is when checking out – time to pay for your beverage indulges.  In 2021 we had access to the honour bar in the Pumphouse. It didn’t surprise me to discover that was no longer the case as undoubtedly there would have been some guests who would have over imbibed and not been completely honest regarding their consumption.

Best suited to: For those seeking a tranquil escape that combines historical architecture with the pristine beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness.  Pumphouse Point offers a compelling destination – the adults-only appeal is hard to ignore.

Pros: the food is exceptionally good. The price per night is high but the amount and quality of food provided makes the offer more than fair.

Cons: the wine. It was so expensive. Pirie NV Sparking Wine, fore example, at a wine merchant such as Dan Murphy’s was around $33 a bottle. It’s a given restaurants will double the recommended retail price then add a percentage on top, but at $115 per bottle it is excessive.

Getting there:

We chose the second week in July solely because it fitted in with work commitments, however it was right smack in the middle of Queensland’s school holiday period and the week before New South Wales and Victoria’s school started theirs.

At the time of booking there were no direct flights available from Brisbane to Tasmania; our flight included a stop in Melbourne, which meant it was a long day starting at 5am.  Our return flight home wasn’t any better. We had a stop over in Sydney. Virgin was in complete price gauging mode at the time we booked which further strengthened my resolve to continue travelling overseas rather than in Australia as long as physically able.

We picked up our Budget rental car at Hobart airport and took the most direct route to Pumphouse Point via the Booker Highway and Derwent River to New Norfolk, then the A10, and finally turning onto C193 towards Lake St Clair.

Yellow diamond-shaped wildlife warning signs provide prompts to be extra vigilant as you drive. The final section of the road leading to The Pumphouse is unsealed.  

Tip: Stash a couple of your favourite wines in your suitcase to enjoy while reading a good book in front of the fire; select a bottle from The Pumphouse’s wine list when you’re dining.

Good to know: While you are staying at Pumphouse Point you will need a Parks Pass. You can obtain this online prior to your arrival or purchase one from reception on arrival at Pumphouse Point. Cost $40. The Parks Pass is required because Pumphouse Point is located within the Lake St. Clair National Park.. https://www.pumphousepoint.com.au/about/parks-pass/