Western Wilds make for the perfect spring escape

Pedder Wilderness Lodge is the ideal spot to really get away from it all and if you’re lucky enough to be there when the snow starts to fall it’s even more special

Waking up to white, snow-covered lawns and tiny snowflakes falling in slow motion.

Welcome to spring in Strathgordon, where four seasons in one day doesn’t even come close to describing what you can experience just a couple of hours drive from Hobart.

The drive is aptly named ‘The Western Wilds’ and it’s described as ‘a place like nowhere else’ — and it completely lives up to its description.

We set off from Hobart a day ahead of schedule, worried the forecast sea-level snow in the final weekend of September would cause a bit of havoc on the roads.

Our first taste of snow was near the highest point of Gordon River Road — 651 metres above sea level.

Springtime snow at Lake Pedder. Picture: Cas Garvey

The falling snowflakes were a magical sight as we wound past wild landscapes, towering mountain ranges and spying snowy peaks in the distance.

After checking in to Pedder Wilderness Lodge, we already felt at home with the friendly staff giving us a warm welcome with tips on things to do and handing us a key to the lodge’s onsite rec centre.

The indoor facility was the last thing we expected to find in the middle of Tassie’s Western Wilds: Inside was a 30m heated swimming pool, badminton court, ping pong table, mini lawn bowl green, gym and change rooms.

Back at the lodge, once you’ve had some lunch and settled into your room, there are so many things you can do.

If you’re like me and just want to enjoy some peace and quiet away from it all, it’s definitely the place.

The magic view over the lake from Pedder Wilderness Lodge’s Twelvetrees Bar & Restaurant. Picture: Cas Garvey

By day, in between the bursts of tiny hail and soft-falling rain, the sunshine would tease you just enough for a beautiful lakeside walk.

And as night fell, the clearest night sky I had ever seen had me mesmerised for hours as I watched shooting stars, passing satellites and later, falling snowflakes a number of excited guests tried to catch on their tongues.

When the weather is a bit warmer, other popular activities include hiking, fishing, kayaking, photography and bird watching.

Gordon Dam at Strathgordon. Picture: Cas Garvey

Aardvark Adventures also operates the largest commercial abseil in the world at the nearby Gordon Dam and TassieBound offers scenic guided kayak tours of the lake’s hidden gems.

The lodge itself has a very homely and cosy feel to it; the wood-burning fireplaces in the lounge and bar area were always stoked, and their board game collection made for some relaxing — and competitive — times with a glass of wine in hand.

The onsite Twelvetrees Bar & Restaurant also has magic views over the lake and a seasonal menu with chef-inspired specials. The bar also features a huge range of Tassie whisky, gin, wines, beer and cider.

The cosy bar area at Pedder Wilderness Lodge, which clad in King Billy pine shingles from the Lake Margaret pipeline. Picture: Supplied by Pedder Wilderness Lodge.

While the dinner options were varied and all looked amazing, I ended up having the 250g Eye Fillet both nights because it was just so delicious.

The restaurant also has a varied breakfast and lunch menus at reasonable prices, so you don’t need to worry about bringing extra supplies or heading to town.

We stayed in the Pedder Wing Lakeview rooms, with — unsurprisingly — more incredible views of Lake Pedder, Twelvetrees Range and Frankland Range beyond that.

One of Pedder Wilderness Lodge’s lakeview rooms.

The lodge also has the option of self-contained apartments with laundry and kitchen facilities as well as a budget option staying in mining camp-style rooms the men who built the Gordon Dam occupied in the 1970s.

The incredible engineering feat and breathtaking view of the Gordon Dam is just a short drive up the road from the lodge and is a must-see when in the area.

The tallest dam in Tasmania, it stands more than 140 metres in height — taller than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the water it holds is more than the entire Sydney Harbour, creating the massive Gordon Lake beyond its wall.

As the weekend wrapped up and I snaked my way around the bends and curves of the wild mountain ranges toward home — the snow-dusted peaks literally making me gasp at one point — I was already planning my next visit.

Pedder Wilderness Lodge is the perfect spot to get away from it all.

The author was a guest of Pedder Wilderness Lodge

Pedder Wilderness Lodge is the ideal place to base yourself for bushwalking, fishing in some of the area’s pristine lakes and waterways, or honing your wilderness photography skills.

MAKE A NOTE

STAYING THERE

Pedder Wilderness Lodge, Gordon River Rd, Strathgordon.

Prices start from $119 for a double in the Tim Shea Motel which includes a double room with private bathroom; A double room in the Pedder Wing with a lake view costs $199 a night; and a self-contained unit in the Pedder Wing costs $239 for two per night.

Guests can also make use of the lodge’s recreational centre which features a 30m heated-indoor swimming pool, badminton courts and table tennis tables.

To book phone [phone] or email [e-mail]

GETTING THERE

Pedder Wilderness Lodge is located 156km from Hobart (about a two-and-a half hour drive from Hobart). To get there take the A10 to New Norfolk, B62 to Westerway and the B61 to Strathgordon via National Park.

The Lodge is located within the town of

Strathgordon.

The Western Wilds are a great place to escape to for fishing, hiking or just getting away from it all.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

Visit the spectacular Gordon River Dam, near Strathgordon, which is also the site of one of the world’s highest commercial abseils, run by Aardvark Adventures.

The Gordon Dam, completed in 1974 and widely regarded as a masterpiece of engineering, is also the tallest dam in Tasmania. Other activities in the area include bushwalking, fishing in some of the area’s pristine lakes and waterways, or you could hone your photography skills or even indulge in some aurora watching if you time your visit for the right time of year.