Pumphouse Point: Luxury Lake St Clair accommodation, Tasmania

Pumphouse Point in Tasmania juts out into Lake St Clair. Surrounded by forest and mountains, this wilderness retreat is inside a former water pumping station.

As accommodation in Tasmania goes, Pumphouse Point is nothing if not distinctive. On the shore of Lake St Clair in the mountainous centre of Tasmania, Pumphouse Point is an adults-only wilderness retreat.

The setting amid century-old myrtle forests, on a glacier-carved lake, is only part of what makes Pumphouse Point so unusual. The building is a major part of it, too.

Pumphouse Point history

As the name suggests, this building jutting out into Lake St Clair was once a pumphouse. It housed giant water turbines for Tasmania’s Hydro Electric Scheme. But the pumphouse was never needed, and the turbines were only ever switched on for maintenance. The whole thing was a giant white elephant.

Nevertheless, it went on Tasmania’s Heritage Register. The next task was working out what to do with it. The solution was to turn it into a hotel. And, in 2015, Pumphouse Point finally opened to guests.

There are just 18 rooms at this peculiar Tasmanian wilderness retreat. These are spread over two buildings – the Pumphouse over the water and the Shorehouse on the lake shore. There’s deliberately no WiFi provided – the idea is to get away from it all.

Lake St Clair walking tracks

Instead of watching telly, you’ll have to get active. There are several walking tracks around Lake St Clair and the hotel provides maps with suggested walking routes. There’s a good chance of spotting native Australian wildlife on these walks. Quolls, possums, wallabies, echidnas and wombats have all been spotted in the area.

You can also head out in a dinghy, or on an e-bike, both of which are free for guests of this Lake St Clair accommodation to use. Don’t expect this novelty Tasmanian accommodation experience to come cheap, though – a two night stay in November costs from $1,120. Bookings can be made via the hotel website.

More Tasmania travel

See exotic animals at Tasmania Zoo near Launceston.

Take the Bruny Island ferry to Bruny Island from Kettering.

The best things to do in Richmond, Tasmania.

Walk to Wineglass Bay in the Freycinet National Park – or take a Wineglass Bay cruise.

Learn about merino wool at the Tasmanian Wool Centre in Ross.