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Go into the Wild at Strathgordon

  • Gordon River Road, on way to Strathgordon. Image Credit Stu Gibson

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Go into the Wild at Strathgordon
Derwent Valley

Strathgordon sits literally at the end of the Gordon River Road, perched on the edge of Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area with Lake Pedder stretching out in all directions.

This is the kind of place where civilisation fades to nothing and nature takes over, in the best possible way. Adventure awaits around every corner, with hiking that’ll test your legs, fishing that draws anglers from across the country, and scenery that’ll have you reaching for your camera every five minutes.

Gordon Dam @benjamin.saillour.photography
Gordon Dam @benjamin.saillour.photography

How to get to Strathgordon and Gordon Dam

The journey to Strathgordon is part of the adventure, a scenic 156km drive west from Hobart that takes around 3 hours. Take your time, though, because the route through the Derwent Valley is packed with attractions worth stopping for.

The Route:

Head west from Hobart along the Brooker and Lyell Highways. At New Norfolk, continue on Glenora Road to Westerway, then turn left onto Gordon River Road, which winds spectacularly through Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area.

The roads are signposted. Look for signs to Mt Field, Maydena and Lake Pedder. 

Road conditions:

The sealed Gordon River Road is well-maintained, but be prepared for winding sections that can ice over in winter. Snow is possible year-round at higher elevations, so check conditions before you head out and drive to suit. Wildlife, particularly wallabies, love darting onto the road, especially at dawn and dusk, so stay alert.

The unsealed Scotts Peak Road branches south off Gordon River Road and offers even more spectacular scenery, with several walking tracks. 

Google Map
Lake Gordon & Pedder
Mt Field National Park

Current travel alert (2026):

Hydro Tasmania is undertaking works on Edgar Dam from January 2025 until mid-2026. The Edgar Dam boat ramp and campground are closed during this period, but access to Strathgordon and Scotts Peak Road remains open. Always check the TasAlert website and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services Alerts. 

What is the history of Strathgordon?

The town of Strathgordon, established in the 1960s, was built for hydroelectric workers to live in during construction of the dam. The village housed up to 2,000 workers and their families, complete with retail stores, a school, church, sports complex, and Tasmania’s only heated swimming pool at the time.

The Lake Pedder Controversy:

The creation of Lake Pedder remains one of Australia’s most significant environmental controversies. The original Lake Pedder was a smaller, pristine glacial lake famous for its stunning pink quartzite sand beach. In the early 1970s, it was flooded as part of the Gordon Power Scheme, along with Lake Gordon and Lake Edgar. 

The flooding sparked fierce opposition and helped galvanise Australia’s modern conservation movement.

Strathgordon Today:

Today, the original hydro workers’ village has been transformed into Pedder Wilderness Lodge, offering a range of accommodation from budget-friendly rooms to luxury suites. The town serves as a base for bushwalkers, anglers, and those seeking to explore one of Australia’s most remote and spectacular wilderness areas.

Pedder Wilderness Lodge
Derwent Valley
Gordon Dam Historical Photo. Image Credit: Pedder Wilderness Lodge
Gordon Dam Historical Photo. Image Credit: Pedder Wilderness Lodge
Strathgordon Kayaking @geraldinainthewild
Strathgordon Kayaking @geraldinainthewild

What activities are available on Lake Pedder?

Lake Pedder is Australia’s largest freshwater lake and water catchment system. The lake is accessible for trout fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming, while the surrounding wilderness offers a range of walks.

Teds Beach Boardwalk offers an ideal entry points into the lake.

If you’d like a guide to enrich your experience, join the Lake Pedder Kayak Tour with Tassie Bound Adventure Tours to admire Lake Pedder from the water.

Tassie Bound Adventure Tours is a true example of sustainable tourism and is firmly committed to being a force for good. When you book a trip you can feel confident your purchase will have a positive & lasting impact on local communities with very little impact as possible on native wildlife and the precious environment.

Tassie Bound Adventure Tours
Gordon River Road. Image Credit: @robertjutrisa
Gordon River Road. Image Credit: @robertjutrisa

What Are the Best Walks Around Strathgordon?

The walking tracks around Strathgordon take you into some of Tasmania’s most rugged and spectacular wilderness. Before heading out, always check the TasAlert and Parks and Wildlife Service website for track conditions, closures, and weather warnings. Carry the essentials—warm layers, rain gear, plenty of water, and a first aid kit—as conditions can change rapidly.

1. Gordon Dam Wall Walk

Distance: Short walk from carpark, a number of hundred steps down to dam wall
Time: 30-60 minutes
Grade: Moderate (due to stairs) if venturing down to top of dam.
Facilities: Toilets at carpark

The walk down to the top of the Gordon Dam is an absolute must. Steel mesh staircases descend from the carpark to the dam wall itself—it’s leg-burning stuff on the way back up, but the views are worth every step. Once on the dam wall (which is about 3 metres wide at the top), you can walk across and peer 140 metres down into the gorge below. It’s not for the faint-hearted, especially if heights aren’t your thing, but the engineering feat and the vistas across Lake Gordon are genuinely awe-inspiring.

The dam is open 24 hours, and there are lookout platforms at the top if you’d prefer not to tackle the stairs. Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photography.

Gordon Dam
Gordon Dam. Image Credit: Stu Gibson
Gordon Dam. Image Credit: Stu Gibson

2. Creepy Crawly Nature Trail

Distance: 500m return
Time: 20-30 minutes
Grade: 1-2 (Easy, but requires ducking under branches)
Location: 10km down Scotts Peak Road from Gordon River Road
Facilities: None

This short, fully-boarded track winds through lush cool temperate rainforest, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. The catch? You’ll need to duck, weave, and occasionally crawl under low-hanging branches, hence the name. It’s a hit with kids who love the adventure, but it’s not suitable for those who struggle with stairs or bending.

The Creepy Crawly Nature Trail takes you through moss-covered trees, over giant logs, and past ancient myrtle beeches draped in green. Information panels along the way explain the unique ecosystem. The track can be slippery after rain, so wear shoes with good grip.

Click here
Creepy Crawly Nature Trail. Image credit: Stu Gibson
Creepy Crawly Nature Trail. Image credit: Stu Gibson

3. Mount Eliza

Distance: 10-12km return
Time: 4-6 hours
Grade: 4 (Experience recommended)
Elevation gain: 700-950m
Highest point: 1,284m
Location: Condominium Creek carpark, 21km down Scotts Peak Road
Facilities: High Camp Memorial Hut (water and composting toilets)

Mount Eliza offers one of the most rewarding day walks in the Southwest National Park. The trail starts with a steady climb through buttongrass plains on well-formed stairs and boardwalks, prepare for a serious leg workout as you gain over 700 metres in the first few kilometres.

Two mountain saddles break up the ascent, giving you a chance to catch your breath and admire the ever-expanding views of Lake Pedder and the Franklin Range behind you. Near the treeline, a side track leads to High Camp Memorial Hut, where you can refill water bottles and use the facilities.

The final push to Mount Eliza’s plateau involves a steep boulder scramble—it’s challenging but achievable for anyone with reasonable fitness and some bushwalking experience. Once on top, you’re rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views: Lake Pedder sprawling below, the jagged peaks of Mount Anne to the east, and seemingly endless wilderness in every direction.

This is alpine country, so weather can turn quickly. Pack warm layers even in summer, and start early to give yourself plenty of daylight for the return journey.

Mount Eliza. Image Credit: Matt Williams
Mount Eliza. Image Credit: Matt Williams

4. Serpentine Dam

Distance: Short walk across dam wall
Time: 15-20 minutes
Grade: Easy
Location: 3km gravel road off Gordon River Road, near Lake Pedder
Facilities: Boat ramp nearby

Serpentine Dam is the smaller, quieter cousin to Gordon Dam, but it’s still worth a visit. A well-maintained gravel road (suitable for 2WD vehicles) leads to the dam, where you can walk across the wall and peer down into the Serpentine River gorge below. The tannin-stained water flows across rocks in a rich, cola-coloured stream, framed by steep, forested mountains.

There’s information signage about the dam’s construction and its role in the Lake Pedder hydro scheme. It’s a peaceful spot—perfect for a picnic or a quick leg stretch.

Serpentine Dam. Image Credit: Deran and Lorraine Hood @hoods.hittheroad
Serpentine Dam. Image Credit: Deran and Lorraine Hood @hoods.hittheroad

Weather & When to Visit

Strathgordon’s weather is famously changeable. The area receives over 1,870mm of rain annually, and strong winds, sleet, and snow are possible at any time of year.

Best time to visit:

  • Summer (December-February): Warmest weather, best for camping and longer walks, but still pack warm layers

  • Autumn (March-May): Stunning autumn colours, fewer crowds, crisp conditions

  • Winter (June-August): Snow-capped peaks create dramatic scenery, but expect cold, wet conditions

  • Spring (September-November): Wildflowers bloom, but weather remains unpredictable

Always check weather forecasts before setting out and be prepared for conditions to change rapidly.

Safety

This is remote wilderness. Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Sign track log books where available. If conditions deteriorate, don’t push on, turn back and try another day.

Essential Gear

  • Warm, windproof layers

  • Quality rain jacket and pants

  • Sturdy hiking boots with good grip

  • First aid kit

  • Map and compass (or GPS)

  • Plenty of water and high-energy snacks

  • Sun protection (even on overcast days)

  • Mobile reception is limited to non-existent—don’t rely on your phone for navigation

National Parks Pass

A Parks Pass is required for all visitors to Southwest National Park. Passes can be purchased online via the Parks and Wildlife Service website or at visitor centres.

National Parks Pass

Strathgordon offers an unparalleled wilderness experience at the edge of one of the world’s great wild places. If you’re here for a quick dam visit, a weekend of fishing, or a multi-day trek into the heart of Southwest National Park, this is a place that’ll stay with you long after you’ve returned to civilisation.

Share your Strathgordon adventure with us! Tag @hobartandbeyond and use #HobartandBeyond on Instagram, we’d love to see your snaps and hear your stories.

Strathgordon Frequently Asked Questions:

No, a 2WD vehicle is sufficient for the sealed Gordon River Road. Scotts Peak Road is unsealed but generally suitable for 2WD in dry conditions.

Yes, the sealed Gordon River Road is suitable for caravans and RVs, though the road is winding with some steep sections. Take your time and drive to conditions. Scotts Peak Road is unsealed and also accessible to caravans.

Westerway Roadhouse (on the way from Hobart) is your last options for fuel before Strathgordon. There are no fuel services at Strathgordon itself.

Mobile reception is limited to non-existent throughout most of the area. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation or emergencies. The lodge may have limited Wi-Fi for guests.

No, anyone aged 14 or over must hold a current Inland Angling Licence to fish in Tasmanian inland waters.

No, dogs and other pets are not permitted in Southwest National Park, including at campgrounds.

Water at Teds Beach and other campgrounds is untreated. You must boil it or use a filtration/purification system before drinking.

At Teds Beach Campground, only fuel stoves are permitted, no campfires. At Edgar and Huon Campgrounds (when open), fireplaces are provided. Always check current fire restrictions before lighting any fire.

Mount Eliza is graded 4, meaning bushwalking experience is recommended. It’s a steep climb with over 700m elevation gain, but the track is well-formed with stairs and boardwalks for much of the way. Reasonable fitness is required.

Yes, but be prepared for cold, wet, and potentially snowy conditions. Roads can be icy, and walks become more challenging. Check weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out, and pack accordingly.

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Article Details:

Article Created: 2 January 2023
Last Update: 27 January 2026
Author: Darren Wright

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