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Lake Leake, Tasmania | Fishing, Camping & Weekend Getaway

  • Lake Leake. Image Credit: Fi Morley

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Lake Leake, Tasmania | Fishing, Camping & Weekend Getaway

Discover why Lake Leake is one of Tasmania’s favourite country escapes. From fly fishing and lakeside walks to camping, wildlife encounters and the welcoming Lake Leake Inn, it’s an easy getaway for anyone looking to slow down and enjoy the outdoors.

Lake Leake was created in the 1880s to supply water for Campbell Town. Today, Lake Leake offers a peaceful getaway for lucky shack owners and visitors seeking a break from the daily grind.

Sitting in Tasmania’s Eastern Highlands, around 90 minutes from nipaluna / Hobart and 30 minutes east of Campbell Town, Lake Leake is a place where people come to slow down. It’s known as one of Tasmania’s premier trout fishing lakes, but you don’t need to be an angler to appreciate it.

Wide open skies, peaceful bushland, native wildlife and fresh highland air make it an easy destination to spend a few hours, a weekend, or even longer. Bring the fishing gear, launch a boat, pitch a tent beside the water, or simply settle in with a picnic and enjoy the quiet.

If you’re looking for an easy escape from the city or adding a stop to your Heritage Highway road trip, Lake Leake is well worth the detour. We’ve put together some tips on visiting this tranquil spot.

How to get to Lake Leake

Lake Leake is located in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands, approximately 90 minutes from Hobart and around 30 minutes from Campbell Town via Lake Leake Highway.

The sealed road makes the lake easily accessible for cars, caravans and motorhomes, making it a popular stop for travellers exploring both the Midlands and Tasmania’s East Coast.

The drive itself is part of the experience, winding through farmland, native bush and highland landscapes before arriving at the lake.

Wombat at Lake Leake. Image Credit: Fi Morley

Why visit Lake Leake?

Lake Leake has a way of making you slow down.

While fishing has made the lake famous, it’s also a great place to reconnect with nature. Spend the day spotting wildlife, photographing reflections across the water, enjoying a peaceful picnic or simply taking in the fresh mountain air.

Without the crowds you’ll often find at more popular destinations, it’s an ideal place to swap busy schedules for a slower pace.

Fishing at Lake Leake. Image Credit: Samuel Evans
Fishing at Lake Leake. Image Credit: Samuel Evans

Trout fishing destinations

Lake Leake has long been regarded as one of Tasmania’s best freshwater fishing lakes.

The lake is home to healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout, attracting anglers from across Australia throughout much of the year. Whether you enjoy fly fishing, lure fishing or bait fishing, there are plenty of opportunities to cast a line from the shore or launch a boat from the public boat ramp.

Anyone planning to fish should check current Inland Fisheries regulations and ensure they hold a valid angling licence before heading out.

Lake Leake Inn. Image Credit: @nextspot2
Lake Leake Inn. Image Credit: @nextspot2

Stay at the Lake Leake Inn

A visit to Lake Leake isn’t complete without calling into the Lake Leake Inn.

The historic country pub has welcomed travellers, anglers and locals for generations, offering comfortable accommodation, hearty meals and a warm fire during the cooler months.

Whether you’re staying overnight or simply dropping in for lunch after a morning on the water, it’s a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Lake Leake. Image Credit: Madi Biggelaar
Lake Leake. Image Credit: Madi Biggelaar

Camping beside the lake

If you enjoy waking up to birdsong instead of an alarm clock, camping at Lake Leake is hard to beat.

The campground sits close to the water and provides a simple base for fishing, boating and exploring the surrounding bushland. Spend your days on the lake, cook dinner on the barbecue, then settle in beneath some of Tasmania’s clearest night skies.

It’s a peaceful place where doing very little somehow feels like enough.

Wildlife and birdwatching

The bushland surrounding Lake Leake provides habitat for a variety of native wildlife.

Keep an eye out for wallabies grazing nearby, wombats wandering through the bush, echidnas searching for food and a wide variety of birdlife around the shoreline. Early mornings and late afternoons are often the best times to spot wildlife, particularly when the lake is at its quietest.

For nature lovers and photographers alike, there’s always something worth watching.

Sunrise, sunset and photography

Lake Leake is one of those places that changes with the light.

Still mornings often bring soft mist drifting across the water, while evenings can deliver colourful sunsets reflected across the lake’s calm surface. Combined with the surrounding bushland and changing seasons, it’s a rewarding destination for photographers throughout the year.

Even if you’re simply taking photos on your phone, it’s worth slowing down for sunrise or sunset.

Lake Leake. Image Credit: nextspot2
Lake Leake. Image Credit: nextspot2

Best time to visit Lake Leake

Lake Leake is worth visiting in every season.

Summer brings long days perfect for camping, boating and fishing, while autumn offers crisp mornings and colourful highland landscapes. Winter often delivers frosty mornings, occasional snowfall in the surrounding highlands and cosy evenings beside the fire at the Lake Leake Inn. Spring sees the bush come alive with wildflowers, fresh growth and active birdlife.

No matter when you visit, the lake offers a different experience.

Things to know before you go

Before setting off, it’s worth planning ahead.

Mobile reception can be limited in some areas around the lake, so downloading maps before you arrive is a good idea. Weather in Tasmania’s highlands can also change quickly, even during summer, so pack warm clothing and wet weather gear just in case.

If you’re planning to fish, remember to purchase an Inland Fisheries angling licence before your visit.

Lake Leake Frequently Asked Questions:

Lake Leake is located in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands, around 90 minutes from Hobart and approximately 30 minutes east of Campbell Town.

Yes. Lake Leake is one of Tasmania’s best-known trout fisheries and is popular for fly fishing, lure fishing and bait fishing. An Inland Fisheries angling licence is required.

Yes. Camping is available beside the lake, making it a popular destination for anglers, families and travellers exploring the region.

Yes. The roads into Lake Leake are sealed, making the area accessible for caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

Absolutely. Families can enjoy fishing, picnics, wildlife spotting, boating and spending time outdoors in a peaceful natural setting.

Yes. The historic Lake Leake Inn offers accommodation along with meals and refreshments, making it an ideal place to stay while exploring the area.

Many visitors spend a few hours enjoying the lake, while others stay overnight or for a weekend to fish, camp and explore the surrounding region.

Picture of Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team

The Hobart and Beyond Editorial Team is dedicated to bringing you the best insider tips, local stories, and up-to-date guides to exploring southern Tasmania.

Article Details:

Article Created: 14 July 2026
Last Update: 14 July 2026
Author: Darren Wright
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