With two new lakeside retreats and immersive experiences, Tassie’s Pumphouse Point is guaranteed to fill your cup.
Pumphouse Point sits on Lake St Clair at the southern end of Cradle Mountain National Park. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
The only sound I hear is the whisper of the wind and water gently lapping the shore. The silence is interrupted by a slap. Then another as something launches itself out of the water and dives back again faster than I can see with my naked eye. I’m searching Australia’s deepest lake for signs of platypus as the sun sets at Pumphouse Point – the award-winning wilderness escape in Tasmania/Lutruwita’s Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
Originally built as a hydro station in the 1940s and reimagined into accommodation in 2015, the Pumphouse is situated 240 metres out over the lake and features 12 guestrooms across three floors. Back on dry land, six more guestrooms, a dining room and lounge can be found at the Shorehouse, the site of the hydro scheme’s former substation – which to this day still features the walls, floor and door of the original toilet. But it’s the Retreats, hemmed in by bushland on the lake’s edge, that offer the most exclusive guest experience.
The new Retreats blend into their surroundings. (Credit: Nick H Visuals)
Elevated spirits are served in the Shorehouse each evening. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The new Retreats offer views of the Pumphouse. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The bedroom inside the new Retreats. (Credit: Nick H Visuals)
The sun sets over Lake St. Clair at Pumphouse Point. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Resident wombats roam the property. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
The weir flows into the Derwent River. (Credit: Katie Carlin)
Heritage Shorehouse restaurant offers multi-course feasts. (Credit: Nick H Visuals)
Enjoy regional produce and freshly-baked bread. (Credit: Rachel Vasicek)
New all-inclusive retreats
Pumphouse Point gains two new luxury retreats (Credit: Adam Gibson).
Two of the three free-standing pavilions opened in August 2025 – a $2.25 million development led by owner-operators, member organisation NRMA Parks and Resorts (which acquired Pumphouse Point in 2022). I’m lucky enough to be one of the first guests to experience the new Retreats.
The two additions have been carefully crafted to mirror the original, designed by JAWS Architects and Cumulus Studio in 2017. From the outside, the timber-clad accommodation blends into its surroundings with the interior designed to welcome them in; light wells carved out of the bathroom corners offer a visual connection to the ground and sky, while the floor-to-ceiling glass wall in the living area delivers jaw-dropping views of the iconic Pumphouse on the lake framed by bushland – a vantage point enjoyed from every angle, including the bed and shower.
Room rates include breakfast and dinner in the Shorehouse restaurant. (Credit: Adam Gibson)
Each Retreat features an open-plan design with a king bed draped in premium linens, a lounge area, indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub. A communal-style buffet breakfast and seasonal three-course dinner at the Heritage Shorehouse restaurant are inclusive for Retreat guests, as well as an in-room larder generously stocked with Tasmanian craft beers, ciders, wines and the best local produce and gourmet treats – think salami, cheese, hummus, falafels, crudites and more. Fresh sourdough can also be hand-delivered to your door within 10 minutes on request.
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New immersive experiences
Treat your senses to a whisky tasting, one of three new immersive experiences. (Credit: Nick H Visuals)
“Let us move in the way of the water," announces Ian Andersen Munoz, as he leads our small group along the 820-foot concrete flume that once pumped water from the lake into the higher lagoon east of the Pumphouse. While technically hired as an all-rounder, switching between roles onsite as needed, the Chilean is blessed with a level of enthusiasm for the decommissioned Art Deco Pumphouse I can only imagine is rivalled by the original architect himself, as he describes the connection he sees between its beauty and function. I follow, thoroughly engrossed in his storytelling, until we reach the weir east of the Pumphouse. I watch it spill into the Derwent River, where it will wind its way to Hobart/Nipaluna, as Ian tells us about the Big River Tribe who cared for this land before they were mercilessly forced off it, and how the cultural landscape they shaped over millennia still speaks to us today if we know how to read it.
The 45-minute guided Pumphouse Point History Tour is one of three newly added experiences. There’s also a chocolate tasting journey in partnership with renowned Tassie chocolatier House of Anvers, and a whisky tasting featuring a curated selection of single malts from Tasmania’s most awarded distillery, Sullivans Cove.
Moments of wonder
It’s my final night and increasing darkness forces me to concede defeat as I walk the length of the flume back to my room after another attempt at spotting platypus. My movement startles a pademelon, who promptly hops behind a shrub in front of me. I almost miss the outline of two others; one frozen with her head turned towards me, the other, her joey, unfazed by my presence. It’s not the elusive monotreme I’d hoped to see, but it’s moments like this that make Pumphouse Point – and Tasmania, for that matter – a constant source of wonder.
Details
Pumphouse Point is around 2.5 hours’ drive from both Hobart/Nipaluna and Launceston, winding through World Heritage-listed wilderness.
Rates for the Retreats start at $1950 and include all dining, drinks and minibar, as well as the new onsite experiences.
If travelling from Hobart, stop in at the Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk for lunch.
If you’ve ever tried to book accommodation in Cradle Mountain National Park, you’ll know the options are extremely limited. This is a deliberate decision to preserve the natural environment. The retreats, on the lesser-visited end of the National Park, offer the chance to enjoy the wilderness in total comfort.
Katie Carlin is Australian Traveller's Head of Content and when she’s not travelling or behind her computer, she’s hosting a dinner party (likely cooking an Alison Roman recipe), at brunch, working on extending her running k’s, or has her nose buried in a book.
She joined Australian Traveller in 2018 and is responsible for leading the editorial team across print, digital, social, email and native content. Her job is to make sure we create content that connects readers to incredible experiences in Australia and beyond. In addition to sharing her expertise on travel through industry speaking engagements, Katie appears onToday, A Current Affair and various radio segments.
With a BA in Communications majoring in Journalism and a career that has spanned roles at Fairfax Media and Are Media writing for titles such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and various lifestyle brands, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her most impactful trip to date has been swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef. For her next trip she is longing to experience the romance of train travel – hopefully on The Ghan or Indian Pacific.
Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.
Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.
Cosy up at Cradle Mountain
Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.
As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.
Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.
Finding the flavours of Freycinet
Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.
As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.
By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.
Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.
Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point
Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.
Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.
Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.
Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.
Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.
Slow down in Strahan Village
Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.
As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.
Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway . Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.
Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.
Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.
Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.
The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.
