Central Plateau Conservation Area

Stark, ancient and utterly wild, the Central Plateau Conservation Area is Tasmania’s high-country heart – a World Heritage-listed wilderness of dolerite peaks, crystal-clear tarns and spongy button-grass plains. This is not a manicured park; it’s a place for self-reliant hikers and anglers who come for the solitude, the trout fishing and the sense of stepping back into the Ice Age. The air is thin, the weather fickle, but the rewards – a swim in a gin-clear lake, a view across the Walls of Jerusalem – are unforgettable.

Highlights & What to See

• Walls of Jerusalem National Park – A spectacular alpine landscape of dolerite cliffs, ancient pencil pines and wild lakes. The 2–3 day circuit is a classic Tasmanian walk; day-hikers can reach the Temple or Solomons Throne for jaw-dropping views.
• Lake St Clair – Australia’s deepest natural lake, the southern terminus of the Overland Track. Kayak its dark waters, take the ferry to Echo Point, or tackle the walk to Shadow Lake.
• Fishing the Highland Lakes – The plateau is laced with trout-filled lakes (Great Lake, Arthurs Lake, Lagoon of Islands). Cast a line for wild brown trout in a setting so quiet you can hear a dragonfly’s wing.
• Central Plateau Walking Trails – From short strolls to multi-day treks, trails like the Du Cane Gap or the Walls of Jerusalem circuit offer close encounters with wombats, wallabies and the endemic Tasmanian waratah.
• Nive River & Pine Valley – Remote and rarely visited, these valleys are perfect for experienced bushwalkers wanting to escape the crowds. Expect pristine rainforest and cascading waterfalls.

Suggested Time to Spend

Give the Central Plateau at least 2–3 days to appreciate its scale and solitude. A quick overnight at Lake St Clair or a day-walk in the Walls of Jerusalem is feasible for time-pressed travellers, but a 4–5 day itinerary allows for a classic multi-day hike (like the Walls circuit) plus a day’s fishing or kayaking. The area is best visited from November to April; outside these months, snow and icy roads can close access.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – The northern half of this dual World Heritage park, with the iconic Cradle Mountain and the start of the Overland Track.
• Mount Field National Park – Famous for its towering Russell Falls and tall eucalypt forests, less than an hour’s drive from the plateau’s eastern edge.
• Derwent Valley & Hamilton – Quaint historic villages, salmon farms and the Wall in the Wilderness woodcarving at Derwent Bridge provide a cosy contrast to the wild plateau.
• Great Western Tiers – The escarpment overlooking the northern Midlands, with limestone caves (Mole Creek) and dramatic lookouts like Alum Cliffs.
• Bruny Island – A longer detour but worth it for gourmet produce, white-sand beaches and the iconic Neck lookout – a different flavour of Tasmanian wilderness.

Please check official sources for current details.