Wet and Wild Dog Friendly Fun at Hydro Tasmania Lakes

As you explore the many dog friendly places Tasmania has to offer and get off the beaten track you will discover some of the most dog friendly stunning lakes, rivers and lagoons in jaw dropping wild landscapes that encourage you to unplug, relax, sit back and soak up the scenery in peace and quiet with your dog.

Yes, Tasmania has lakes in National Parks which are not dog friendly but thanks to Hydro Tasmania Tasmania’s  largest renewable energy provider, most of the beautiful lakes around the State that Hydro Tasmania manage are dog friendly, easily accessible and family friendly.

Many of these lakes are clustered around the Central Plateau and the Central Highlands area, there’s a few on the West Coast and a few lakes and lagoons on the upper Derwent River.

It goes without saying that if you visit or camp at any of the picturesque lakes that follow recommended water safety rules for yourself and your dog when out on the water, that you pick up after your dog and what you pack in you pack out! Leave no trace is our motto!

Fires are permitted at some places but observe the Fire Restrictions if in place.

Activities at the Hydro Tasmania Lakes

• There are plenty of camping spots by the water to make you feel you are the only one there.
• Ensure you come prepared for water activities such as:
  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Fishing

When to Visit

Summer is the best time to visit these beautiful lakes but honestly, they are open all year round. If you wanted a weekend break in the colder months (just be prepared for the bitterly cold and snow at some lakes),to recover when the kids go back to school or you just need that break from life’s pressures for you and your dog in the quiet of the wilderness then consider the Hydro Tasmania lakes, rivers and lagoons.

Lakes that we have Visited and Recommend

Over time we have visited several of the Lakes that Hydro Tasmania manages and have always enjoyed the scenic drive enroute and the magnificent views at the destination for our picnics. Many a time I’ve wished my vehicle was set up for car camping so I could stay the night. We make use of this map to search the Lakes, Lagoons or Rivers to visit. Below are a few of the places we have stopped at and explored.

Great Lake/Yingina

• Camping is available at the Great Lake Hotel, not particularly scenic behind the hotel,  you’re not going to be spending your day here but exploring the area.
• Explore the many boat ramp access points for views of this enormous lake.

Lake Barrington

• This is one of our favourite places to go for freshwater swimming with the dogs. We go to the International Rowing End where the picnic facilities and toilets are located.
• It’s a wonderful place to picnic with sheltered barbeque and toilets, a large grassy area if you want to sit down by the water or throw a ball for your dog.
• There’s a hike (Billets Creek Track 2.5km downhill) to do but it’s more a case of being dropped off at the top of the road and picked up at the other end down by the water.
• Beautiful dog friendly place to swim, kayak, canoe, and paddleboard.
• There is no camping here, it is a Day Use Area only.

Lake Gairdner

• Fabulous spot for your first camp coming off The Spirit of Tasmania.
• There are no facilities so you need to be self-contained, self-sufficient, and fully stocked up.
• Located on the western section of the Lake at Moina. If you’re lucky snag a spot by the river before the bridge or a camp spot on the flatter area in front of the lake.
• The lake is a wonderful location to be based at when exploring Cradle Mountain.

Lake Mackintosh

• Located about 5km from Tullah heading to the West Coast, this camp by the water is surrounded by myrtle, sassafras, and eucalyptus trees. It feels wild and raw with the mountains rising out of the water.
• Need to be fully self-contained

Lake Parangana

• This place feels wild and isolated with the mountains rising directly from the lake above you. The lake is one of two on the Mersey River in the Central North and is part of the Mersey-Forth Hydro Electric Power Scheme.
• Camping is available right on the waterfront.
• Bring your Caravan, Camper Trailer, Campervan, Motorhome, Tent, or car camp.
• You need to be fully self-sufficient, although water is there direct from the lake it is best to boil first.
• If you’re into canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding then you will enjoy exploring the shoreline. Perfect for that dog paddle!
• Fires permitted but observe the restrictions when in place.

Lake Rosebery

• We feel this lake at Tullah is one of the best with the incredible reflections seen from your campsite of the bush and towering Mount Murchison.
• Hire a kayak from the Tullah Lakeside Lodge or bring your own canoe, kayak or paddle board and drift with solitude on the deep dark waters cocooned by the bush.
• There are several dog friendly hiking trails nearby to make your dog’s stay even better.
  • Stitt River and Waterfalls at Rosebery
  • Spray Tunnel Loop at Zeehan
  • Montezuma Falls at Rosebery
  • Lake Rosebery Waterfront Walk

Lake Rowallan

• We found this lake serenely beautiful and oh so quiet. It also felt a little spooky with the white ghost like tree tops poking up from the water. Great for a day’s drive out and fishing.
• Rowallan, Parangana and Cethana  Lakes form a substantial portion of the Mersey-Forth hydro-electric catchment.
• There are limited camp spots here, approximately three. More suited for Roof Top Tent than a caravan.

 Lake Mackenzie

• Back in 1972 the Fisher River was dammed for hydro-electric power, forming one the highest alpine lakes at 1120m above sea level that you can drive to on the Central Plateau.
• This peaceful alpine lake is suitable for fishing, boating, and swimming although up on the Central Plateau the water is going to be frigid, might be nice in summer but a dip in winter is going to see you catch hypothermia very quickly!
• There are a couple places to camp lakeside just past the dam wall, but you will need levelling equipment. Mostly suited to Camper Trailer, Campervan, Roof Top Tents. There are no facilities at all so you will need to be entirely self-sufficient and remove any rubbish you bring with you.
• If you have the PWS Companion Dog tag (an orange tag with a number and Tasmania Parks & Wildlife on it) you can hike Yeates Track (Mole Creek) and Parsons Track, both end and begin at the north end of Lake Mackenzie.
  • You could turn this into a great overnight hike by being dropped off at the start of Yeates Track out of Mole Creek, hike to Lake Mackenzie camping overnight then pick up Parsons Track and walk back towards Caveside to be picked up.

Penstock Lagoon

• Only just recently visited this lake and there are quite a few places to camp that are suitable for Caravans, Camper Trailers, Roof Top Tents, Tents, Campervans, Motorhomes. There are new toilets at the camping areas as you drive in.
• Penstock Lagoon was originally built as water storage for Waddamana Power Station in 1916 (Waddamana is another interesting place to stop and explore and walk along the River Ouse a bit when low), there’s also a secret fabulous cafe at Waddamana. The power station is now decommissioned and interesting to walk through, but sadly you cannot take your dog inside.
• We stopped at Penstock Levee 1 for a little explore along the dam wall and came across an Echidna ambling its slow way along. You could go for a little wander along the foreshore across the levee and around the other side. Stay close to the water line as the land there belongs to Hydro Tasmania.

Want to know where the other Hydro Tasmania lakes, lagoons and rivers are to go for good ole dog friendly fun in Tassie? Try visiting this map of Hydro Tasmania’s water locations.

If you’ve been to any of these Hydro Tasmania locations or one of the other many places camping or simply for a bit of water fun then be sure to let us and Hydro Tasmania know by tagging us on your instagram accounts. You can tag us @dogfriendlytasmania or @hydrotasmania we both love to see your dog friendly adventures in Tasmania.

Resources for Hydro Tasmania

Email: contactus@hydro.com.au

Phone: 1300 360 441

Main Website: https://www.hydro.com.au/

• Camping on Hydro Tasmania Land
• Find a Site
• Things to Do

PWS Great Western Tiers Field Office

Companion Dog Pass for the Central Plateau/Great Western Tiers contact gwtadmin@parks.tas.gov.au and request forms for Companion Dog Pass.

Please understand this dog tag DOES NOT mean you can go into the National Parks with your dog. National Parks are off limits for dogs in Tasmania