Tasmania For Everyone: Central Highlands and Midlands

Region: Central Highlands and Midlands

Tasmania's Midlands are famed for both their agricultural and and architectural heritage. The major towns - Oatlands, Campbell Town, Ross and Bothwell - are among Australia's prettiest villages. Most of these towns were created in the colonial era as stopping points where travellers between Hobart and Launceston could rest and change horses. Collectively the are renowned as the finest examples of Georgian era villages in the world today.

Bothwell

Tasmania's nearby Central Highlands, consisting of a series of mountains and lakes in the Great Western Tiers range, are largely contained in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. The spectacular scenery and easy bushwalks make it one of Tasmania's most popular destinations. The Lakes region is a trout fishing paradise, with Great Lake and Arthurs Lake being particularly popular.

The area is one of the most glaciated in Australia and includes Tasmania's highest mountain, Mt. Ossa (1617 metres) and Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest natural freshwater lake, the source of the River Derwent.

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The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania.

Crater Lake

How To Get There

Glebe House, Kempton

By car, Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Melbourne to Devonport. Drive south from Devonport towards Hobart.

From Hobart, drive north on the Midlands Highway or approach the Bothwell region and the highlands to the north via New Norfolk and Bothwell. From Launceston, drive south on the Midlands Highway.

Best Time To Go

Georgian cottage, Ross

November to April is the peak season in Tasmania. Summer brings warm days and mild evenings from December to February, while winter can be stormy with snow and low cliud on the mountains from June to August. The weather is most stable from the end of summer to autumn (February to April). One of the best times to visit the highlands is from March to May when the days are fine and still, though it is warmest during Summer (December to February).