Lake PedderAbout Lake Pedder
Lake Pedder is a lake in southwest Tasmania that was dramatically enlarged and transformed into a reservoir as part of a hydroelectric scheme in the early 1970s. The flooding of the original lake became a focal point for the modern Australian environmental movement.
The impounded lake and surrounding highland plateau are visited for wilderness recreation including hiking, kayaking and birdwatching, typically by people prepared for remote conditions and unsealed access routes. Landscape features include extensive shoreline and nearby peaks within protected Tasmanian wilderness.
Originally a smaller natural glacial and tarn landscape, the basin was inundated when dams were built for hydropower development; the change in 1972 is central to the site’s modern history and conservation debates. Since then the area has been managed within Tasmania’s system of national parks and reserves.
Lake Pedder sits in southwest Tasmania within the island’s protected wilderness areas. The lake and its dams are reached by forest and park roads from the western Tasmanian highlands; the surrounding terrain is typically remote, with dense moorland and rugged ridgelines.
- Hydroelectric impoundment: Significantly altered by the construction of hydroelectric dams in the early 1970s, which flooded the original lake basin and created a much larger reservoir.
- Access and setting: Located within Tasmania’s protected wilderness; access is by unsealed roads and is commonly combined with multi-day hikes in the Southwest National Park.
Nearby Attractions to Lake Pedder
Best Time to Visit Lake Pedder
Late spring through early autumn is best for access and hiking; winter can be dramatic but brings shorter daylight and colder conditions.
Weather & Climate near Lake Pedder
Lake Pedder's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 2°C to 19°C. Heavy rainfall (2260 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 134 mm | - | - | 6.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 110 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 8° - 17° | 13° | 140 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 14° | 10° | 188 mm | - | - | 6.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 11° | 4° | 222 mm | - | - | 7.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 3° - 9° | 2° | 191 mm | - | - | 6.7 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 2° - 8° | 1° | 243 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 3° - 9° | 2° | 245 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 4° - 11° | 3° | 233 mm | - | - | 7.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 13° | 6° | 215 mm | - | - | 7.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 15° | 11° | 165 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 174 mm | - | - | 6.8 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Lake Pedder
Drive from Hobart (approx. 2.5-3 hours) along the A10 to the Strathgordon/Scotts Peak area; the paved road narrows beyond Maydena. There are marked lookouts and walking tracks-park signage gives current conditions and trail info.
Tips for Visiting Lake Pedder
- Go at dawn for light on the quartzite and to see the low clouds peel off the ranges.
- Visit the Lake Pedder Lookout at Scotts Peak for the best wide view; the road beyond Strathgordon is single-lane and can be icy in winter.
- Read a short history of the 1972 flooding beforehand - it changes how the place looks and what the beaches mean.