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An exciting experience at
Australia's deepest lake.
Spectacular mountains, pristine
wilderness and unique flora and
fauna await you on this walk. During
our 4-day exploratory walk we visit
Lake St. Clair located at the
southern end of the Cradle Mountain
Lake St. Clair National Park. Carved
out by ice during several
glaciations over the last two
million years, this is the deepest
lake in Australia and the headwaters
of the Derwent River, upon which the
capital city of Tasmania is located.
Visiting old growth forests of
Myrtles, Eucalyptus and Sassafras,
Surrounded by the dolerite
-mountains of Mount Olympus, Mont
Rufus, Mount Ida this is truly a
fantastic wilderness experience. The
area around Lake St Clair offers a
wealth of walks, ranging from
leisurely strolls to overnight
bushwalks, as well as beautiful
forests to explore. Lake St Clair is
also the end point of the famous
Overland Track a long-distance walk
which runs from Cradle Mountain in
the north to Cynthia Bay on the
southern shore of Lake St Clair.
Lake St Clair is the source of the
Derwent River, which eventually
wends its way to Hobart and is also
Australia's deepest natural
freshwater lake with its depth of
200 metres. Lake St Clair is also
known by its Aboriginal name of
Leeawuleena which means "sleeping
water."
Day 1:
Launceston to
Lake St
Clair
We meet at Mountain Designs at
8.30am for group briefing and
outfitting, before departing for our
accommodation nestled in the
wilderness of Derwent Bridge passing
the Great Lake on the way. After
settling into our cabin
accommodation there is the chance to
travel down the road for a stroll
along the shoreline of Lake King
William. Returning to our
accommodation for dinner.
Days 2:
Mount Rufus Circuit Track
We spend a full day walking today on
the Mt. Rufus circuit where we are
met with incredible 360 degree views
of the Du Cane Range, Mt. Olympus
and deep into the ranges of the
southwest national park. The return
to Cynthia bay follows groves of
Tasmanian Snowgums and Pandanis down
to Shadow Lake. After rest stop at
Shadow Lake we continue down to
Watersmeet at the shore of Lake St.
Clair the back to our Overnight
accommodation at Derwent Bridge for
hearty meal.
Day 3:
Gould Plateau Track
Today we take the morning ferry from
Cynthia Bay to the top end of Lake
St Clair to a beautiful bay called
Narcissus, based at the foot of
Mount Olympus. Departing the Ferry
we are spoilt for choices of walks.
We can walk back down the western
side of the lake back to Cynthia Bay
amongst towering rainforest with
opening views stretching across the
lake. Another great choice is the
walk up onto Gould’s Plateau with
its far-reaching views into the
Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair
National Park, returning on the late
afternoon ferry. Last but by no
means is least the walk to Lake
Marion once again returning on the
late afternoon ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Day 4: Lake
St. Clair to Launceston via Liffey
Falls and Devil Park
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