Lake GordonLake Gordon at a Glance
About Lake Gordon
Lake Gordon is a large hydroelectric reservoir in southwest Tasmania, created and maintained as part of the island’s hydroelectric power system. It serves primarily as storage for hydroelectric generation.
The area around the reservoir is remote and visited for wilderness recreation such as driving scenic routes, fishing, and accessing nearby walking tracks. Facilities are limited and many approaches cross managed hydro lands or national park boundaries.
The lake was formed by impounding river flows behind a major dam as part of Tasmania’s mid-20th century hydroelectric development. It has been managed since then for water storage and power generation within Tasmania’s hydroelectric network.
The reservoir sits in southwest Tasmania amid rugged, largely forested terrain and protected parkland. The nearest significant population centers are several hours’ drive away along routes that cross remote country.
- Hydroelectric reservoir: Created by damming for hydroelectricity, it functions as a major storage reservoir within Tasmania’s hydroelectric system.
- Remote location: Located in southwest Tasmania, access is by long roads and forest tracks; much of the surrounding region is remote and within protected wilderness areas.
Best Time to Visit Lake Gordon
Best in Tasmania's summer and autumn for road access and clearer weather; winter conditions can be cold and snowy in the highlands.
Weather & Climate near Lake Gordon
Lake Gordon's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C. Heavy rainfall (2095 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 10° - 19° | 15° | 128 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 106 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 18° | 14° | 129 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 15° | 11° | 167 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 12° | 6° | 201 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 10° | 4° | 174 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 4° - 9° | 3° | 221 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 4° - 10° | 3° | 231 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 11° | 5° | 223 mm | - | - | 5.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 13° | 7° | 198 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 16° | 12° | 153 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 164 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Lake Gordon
Drive: From Hobart or Queenstown, follow the A10 and then local roads toward the Central Highlands and Tarraleah. Lake Gordon is best accessed by car; roads can be narrow and winding.
Tips for Visiting Lake Gordon
- Check Hydro Tasmania advisories before visiting; some areas around Lake Gordon are restricted for operational reasons.
- Combine the visit with a drive along the Gordon River Road for dramatic highland scenery.
- Fuel up in Tarraleah or Queenstown-services are sparse in the Central Highlands.