Best for
- Couples seeking total disconnection from city life
- Nature lovers and walkers exploring the Overland Track region
- Anyone wanting a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness stay
Pumphouse Point
A wilderness retreat floating on the waters of Lake St Clair
Wilderness solitude with quiet, understated comfort
- Converted 1940s hydro-electric pumphouse floating on Lake St Clair
- Located inside Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area
- Two buildings: The Pumphouse on water, The Shorehouse on land, plus private Retreats
Boutique Hotel · Lake St Clair
The luxury case for Pumphouse Point.
A converted hydro-electric pumphouse standing on the edge of Australia's deepest freshwater lake, Pumphouse Point offers a wilderness immersion unlike anything else in Tasmania, where industrial heritage meets the untamed landscape of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The mood
Wilderness solitude with quiet, understated comfort
Ideal stay
2 to 3 nights
Why it earns the rate
There is nowhere else quite like it: a building floating on Australia's deepest lake, wrapped in ancient wilderness, with genuinely excellent food and total silence.
Some places are defined by what they add to a landscape, and others by how gracefully they sit within one. Pumphouse Point belongs firmly in the second camp. A converted 1940s hydro-electric pumping station, it stands on the shore of Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest natural freshwater lake, inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. There are no marble lobbies or concierge desks here: the experience is built around silence, ancient rainforest, and the quiet drama of a building that floats on water.
Two heritage structures form the heart of the property. The Pumphouse itself extends out over the lake on its original concrete pylons, and sleeping here means waking to the sensation of floating above dark, still water with nothing but forest and mountain beyond the glass. Rooms are deliberately simple, with wood fires, large windows, and an absence of artwork on the walls, because the view is the artwork. The Shorehouse sits on the water's edge, nestled among native trees, offering bush and lake views from solid ground. At the top of the range, The Retreat is a standalone private suite hidden at the lake's edge with its own kitchen, living areas, freestanding bath, and an all-inclusive wilderness package that removes any reason to leave.
Continue reading Show less
Dining is communal, generous, and entirely Tasmanian. The Shorehouse dining room serves multi-course dinners built from hyper-local produce: small-scale growers, seasonal ingredients, and hearty highland fare that suits the setting perfectly. Breakfast follows the same philosophy. The Bar offers Sullivans Cove whisky tastings, House of Anvers chocolate tastings, and Tasmanian wines by the fireside, and it becomes the natural gathering point each evening as the wilderness darkens around you.
Beyond the buildings, the landscape does most of the work. Lake St Clair sits at the southern end of the famous Overland Track, and the surrounding walking trails wind through ancient rainforest, along the lakeshore, and up to viewpoints that have barely changed in millennia. Highland massages are available in a studio within the reception cottage for recovery after a day on the trails. Kayaking, fishing, and cycling are also on offer for guests who want to explore further.
This is not a hotel that tries to impress with luxury. It impresses by stripping everything back to landscape, silence, and the rare feeling of being somewhere genuinely remote while still eating and sleeping beautifully. For anyone seeking a Tasmanian wilderness experience that goes beyond a bushwalk, Pumphouse Point remains one of Australia's most singular places to stay.
Is It For You?
Is Pumphouse Point right for you?
Less ideal if
- Travellers wanting a resort with extensive spa or pool facilities
- Guests who prefer reliable mobile phone coverage and connectivity
Atmosphere
Meditative, raw, and stripped-back, letting the landscape do the talking
Ideal stay
Weekend (2-3 nights)
Why splurge
There is nowhere else quite like it: a building floating on Australia's deepest lake, wrapped in ancient wilderness, with genuinely excellent food and total silence.
Rooms
Rooms & suites
Editorial pickPumphouse Top Floor Room with Bath for the full floating-on-water experience; The Retreat for total privacy and an all-inclusive stay.
Pumphouse King
Located in the original pumphouse structure, these rooms sit directly over the lake. The feeling of floating on water is real and unforgettable.
- View
- Lake views from three levels
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Couples wanting the signature on-water experience
- Over-water positioning
- Lake views through large windows
- Wood fire
Pumphouse Queen
Same on-water location as the King rooms, with a queen bed configuration.
- View
- Lake views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Solo travellers or couples on a tighter budget
- Over-water positioning
- Queen bed
- Lake views
Pumphouse Top Floor Room with Bath
The top floor position gives a broader lake perspective, and the freestanding bath is a real highlight after a day of walking.
- View
- Elevated lake views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Guests wanting the best Pumphouse room with a bathtub
- Freestanding bathtub
- Top floor elevation
- Panoramic lake views
Shorehouse Waterview Room with Bath
Nestled among trees on the water's edge, these rooms blend bush immersion with lake proximity and include a bathtub.
- View
- Lake and bushland views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Guests who prefer being on solid ground with water views
- Freestanding bathtub
- Bushland and lake views
- On-land positioning
Shorehouse Standard
A comfortable entry point into the property, surrounded by native bush on the lake's edge.
- View
- Bushland views
- Sleeps
- 2 adults
- Best for
- Budget-conscious guests wanting the Pumphouse experience
- Bush setting
- Water's edge location
The Retreat
The pinnacle of the Pumphouse experience: a private, contemporary suite hidden on the edge of the lake with its own kitchen, living areas, and an all-inclusive wilderness package.
- View
- Private lakeside and bushland views
- Sleeps
- 2 to 4 adults
- Best for
- Couples wanting total privacy and an all-inclusive experience
- Private standalone suite
- Full kitchen and living areas
- All-inclusive experience
- Freestanding bathtub
- Complete privacy
Eat and Drink
Dining
The restaurants, bars, and rituals that shape how the hotel feels after the room itself.
Start here
Shorehouse Dining Room
The communal dining room serves seasonal, locally sourced Tasmanian produce in a wilderness setting. The menu highlights the best from local, small-scale growers and producers, bringing hearty, high-quality fare to the table. Dinner is a multi-course affair, and breakfast features highland-style fare.
- Go here for
- Multi-course dinner using hyper-local Tasmanian produce, served communally in a wilderness setting
- Expect
- Communal, warm, candlelit, surrounded by wilderness
- Book ahead
- Dining is included for in-house guests. Dinner is served nightly, breakfast each morning.
For cocktails
The Bar
An intimate bar within the Shorehouse offering Tasmanian wines, Sullivans Cove whisky, cocktails, and local beers around a central fireplace. Whisky tastings and chocolate tastings with House of Anvers are available as add-on experiences.
- Go here for
- Sullivans Cove whisky tastings and House of Anvers chocolate tastings by the fire
- Expect
- Fireside, intimate, convivial
Reset
Wellness
The parts of the property that slow the pace, restore energy, or justify spending more time on-site.
For recovery
Highland Massages
In-house massage treatments offered in a dedicated studio within the reception cottage. Therapeutic and relaxation massages are available, providing a total immersion of mind and body after a day exploring the wilderness.
- Best for
- Wilderness-setting massage studio in the heritage reception cottage
What to Do
Signature Experiences
The on-property or destination moments that justify choosing this hotel over a generic luxury base.
Any season, though autumn colours are spectacular
Lake St Clair bushwalking
Walk through ancient rainforest and along the lake shore on trails that connect to the famous Overland Track. The property sits at the southern end of the trail.
Evening, after a day of walking
Sullivans Cove Whisky Tasting
Sample award-winning Tasmanian whisky by the fireside in The Bar, guided by knowledgeable staff.
Afternoon
House of Anvers Chocolate Tasting
A curated tasting of fine Tasmanian chocolate from the renowned House of Anvers, paired with the wilderness ambience.
Daily, check with reception for times
Daily History Tour
Learn about the property's origins as a 1940s hydro-electric pumping station and its transformation into a boutique retreat.
Location
Getting to Pumphouse Point
The drive from Hobart takes around two and a half hours through some of Tasmania's most scenic highland country. Mobile coverage drops away as you approach, which is part of the point. The final stretch along the lake is spectacularly quiet.
Cradle Mountain
1 hr 30 min
CarHobart
2 hr 30 min
CarLaunceston
2 hr 30 min
CarOverland Track (southern trailhead)
NatureOne of Australia's most celebrated multi-day walks begins and ends at the doorstep of Lake St Clair.
AdjacentLake St Clair
NatureAustralia's deepest natural freshwater lake, surrounded by ancient rainforest and part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
On-siteCradle Mountain
NatureTasmania's most iconic mountain landscape, accessible as a day trip from the property.
1 hr 30 min driveWhat to Know
Before you book
Is Pumphouse Point a luxury hotel?
It deliberately positions itself outside traditional luxury. The experience is about location, wilderness immersion, and thoughtful simplicity rather than marble bathrooms and concierge teams.
Is there mobile phone reception?
Coverage is very limited. Wi-Fi is available in common areas but the property encourages disconnection as part of the experience.
Which building should I choose?
The Pumphouse rooms float directly over the lake and deliver the signature experience. The Shorehouse rooms are on land among the trees and feel more grounded. The Retreat offers complete privacy with an all-inclusive package.
What is included in the rate?
Rates include multi-course dinner, highland breakfast, non-alcoholic beverages, and access to all on-site experiences and walking trails.
When is the best time to visit?
Every season has appeal. Autumn brings golden tones to the surrounding forests, winter offers fireside cosiness and occasional snow, and summer extends the daylight for long walks.
Editorial Verdict
The verdict on Pumphouse Point
Why book it
- Utterly unique location floating on Australia's deepest lake
- All-inclusive dining with exceptional Tasmanian produce
- Total wilderness immersion within a World Heritage Area
Know the trade-offs
- Very limited mobile reception and connectivity
- Remote location requires a long drive from the nearest city
Explore the Area
