Lake Saint Clair

Lake St Clair is a freshwater lake in Tasmania’s central highlands and lies within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It is recognised as Australia’s deepest freshwater lake and is an established wilderness and walking destination.

The lake is a focus for bushwalking, short shore walks and boat excursions, and it marks the southern end of the long-distance Overland Track. Visitors use the park’s trails and facilities to explore surrounding temperate rainforest and alpine environments.

The basin that holds the lake was shaped by past glaciation and other natural processes that created the deep freshwater body. The area has been managed as part of Tasmania’s national parks system to protect its wilderness and native species.

The lake sits in Tasmania’s Central Highlands within the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

• Overland Track terminus: Forms the southern terminus of Tasmania’s Overland Track, making it a common start or finish point for multi-day hikes through the World Heritage-listed alpine area.
• Activities and access: Boat trips and short walks along the shoreline provide accessible ways to experience the lake without undertaking long hikes.

• Access the lake from Cynthia Bay at the southern end-the visitor facilities there are the established start/end point for day walks and for the Overland Track.
• Consider taking the seasonal lake ferry (book ahead in peak season) for a scenic crossing or to shorten the Overland Track's lake-leg rather than walking the full shoreline route.
• To avoid the day‑visitor rush, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon and use the short marked walks around Cynthia Bay and Shadow Lake rather than arriving at mid-day on a weekend.