Pumphouse Point

Hovering on top of the serene Lake St. Clair, Pumphouse Point has an incredible location surrounded by miles and miles of pristine wilderness.

Rooms at Pumphouse Point are spread across two buildings: the Shorehouse and the Pumphouse. The Shorehouse is, as the name suggests, on dry land, and is the heart of the hotel, home to the communal areas, reception and dining room. There’s a stylish art deco feel throughout, and a range of room types, some (but not all) of which have beautiful views over the lake. Panorama Rooms are particularly impressive, with their huge windows affording magnificent views over the lake and mountains beyond. The Pumphouse, 250m into the lake at the end of a jetty, offers truly unique accommodation hovering above the water. Rooms are a similar art deco style to the Shorehouse, and the Top Floor (Bath) Rooms, which have giant bathrooms with huge tubs to match, are particularly impressive.

Food at Pumphouse Point is a hearty affair which makes the most of the rich produce of the Tasmania’s Central Highlands. At breakfast, included in your nightly room rate, help yourself to eggs, homemade baked beans, meats and cheeses for a big energy boost to start the day – or, if you’re after something a little lighter, go for organic granola, fresh yoghurt and local fruit. Dinner is a homely affair, sitting around a table each evening with your fellow guests and swapping stories about your adventures. Each room has a larder filled with delicious produce for you to purchase, including local cheeses, cured meats and hearty soups, as well as a selection of wines and beers and the famous Tasmanian cider. And to go with it, you can have a loaf of freshly made bread delivered to your room at any time of day – try resisting that if you get a whiff of it coming down the corridor.

Both buildings have lounge areas: the Shorehouse Dining Room & Lounge has a cosy log fire perfect for curling up beside with a book or board game, with glass doors opening out onto the wilderness. In the Pumphouse there is a cosy wood-panelled lounge with comfy seats, a blazing fire and huge windows or a mezzanine so you can enjoy the stunning view. Please be advised that Pumphouse Point is an adults-only hotel and does not cater to people under the age of 18 – so is not a destination for most family holidays!

The forests, hills, lakes and waterways of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park are ripe for exploration, and a range of fantastic nature walks are right on your doorstep. These vary widely in length and difficulty. The 1km Fisherman’s Trail is a 15-minute stroll down to St. Clair Lagoon and the Derwent Basin, while the 7-hour Mt. Rufus Walk will see you hike 18km across the western wilderness and the nearby Frenchman’s Cap mountain. For something a little less extreme, the Shadow Lake Circuit, considered one of the finest walks in Tasmania, takes around 4.5 hours and takes you through rainforest, sub-alpine moorland and highland eucalypt forest.