From Hobart: Gordon Dam and Lake Pedder Wilderness Day Tour

Tasmania gets wilder fast. This full-day trip from Hobart reaches the remote southwest, pairing the 140-meter Gordon Dam with Lake Pedder, rainforest, mountain views, and short guided walks. I like the small-group format, capped at 10 people, and the way guide David explains Tasmania’s trees, geology, and conservation story rather than simply pointing at scenery. I also like that lunch is taken beside Lake Pedder, not in a generic roadside stop.

The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the road. You have about nine and a half hours, with several hours devoted to reaching the southwest and returning to Hobart. Weather can also turn a beautiful day into a wet, cold one, so you need waterproof clothing and realistic expectations.

The Gordon Dam crossing is the tour’s big physical thrill, but Lake Pedder and the Creepy Crawly Walk give the day more substance. You get engineering, natural history, forest, beaches, lookouts, and the story of a changed wilderness area in one long outing.

Key points to know before booking

• The 140-meter Gordon Dam crossing lets you look down into the gorge from Australia’s highest arch dam.
• Lake Pedder’s white beach and tannin-stained water provide the most unusual scenery of the day.
• David’s university-level nature knowledge adds useful detail about Tasmania’s trees and plant life.
• The Creepy Crawly Walk takes about 40 minutes, but you may need to bend up and down along the path.
• The group has a maximum of 10 people, which makes the long drive more personal than a large coach trip.
• Lunch is not included, but the tour stops in New Norfolk so you can buy food and a hot drink before continuing.

Why this southwest Tasmania day trip is worth your time

Hobart has plenty of easy day trips, but this one takes you into a quieter and more remote part of Tasmania. The route passes through the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, where you see tall eucalyptus forest, rainforest, button grass plains, quartzite mountains, and large lakes.

I like the range of experiences. This is not just a lookout tour. You walk through forest, stroll by Lake Pedder, cross a major dam, stop at several viewpoints, and hear how Tasmania’s natural places have been shaped by both geology and human decisions.

The tour costs $186.48 per person. That is not a bargain-basement day trip, but the value improves if you do not have a rental car or do not want to drive long, unfamiliar roads yourself. The price includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, Southwest National Park and World Heritage Area entry, guided walks, the Gordon Dam walk, and several scenic stops.

Lunch is extra. You buy it in New Norfolk, so you can choose what suits you, but you should budget for food and a drink before leaving Hobart. The vehicle has a sound system, which matters on a long drive because the guide can explain the region while you are moving between stops.

New Norfolk starts the day with practical local flavor

The tour leaves from 20 Davey Street in Hobart at 8:00 am. The first stop is New Norfolk, a historic town dating from 1807, where you have about 50 minutes to pick up lunch and hot drinks at a local bakery.

This stop is useful rather than elaborate. You are not spending the morning on a formal town tour, so you should treat New Norfolk as your chance to buy the food you will eat later beside Lake Pedder. A warm drink is also a sensible choice because the southwest can be colder and wetter than Hobart.

The early stop helps set the rhythm for the day. You get a break from the vehicle, collect supplies, and then continue west toward increasingly remote forest and mountain country. Since lunch is not included, do not assume food will be provided later.

The Creepy Crawly Walk puts you under Tasmania’s rainforest canopy

After New Norfolk, the route follows the Gordon River Road through tall eucalyptus forest before reaching the temperate rainforest at the Creepy Crawly Walk. The guided forest portion lasts about 40 minutes, while the scheduled stop takes roughly an hour and a half.

This is one of the tour’s most valuable sections because it gives you time to look closely at Tasmania’s plant life. David explains the trees and their secrets, and his university training gives the walk more depth than a quick nature stroll.

The path is described as an easy walk, but easy does not mean completely effortless for everyone. You may need to bend up and down along parts of the Creepy Crawly route. That detail matters if you have stiff knees, limited balance, or prefer flat paths.

The rainforest also gives you a good weather check. If conditions are damp, the walk may be slippery or simply wet. One useful touch from the guide is that David provided extra windbreakers on a rainy departure. Still, bring your own waterproof layer rather than relying on borrowed clothing.

Lake Pedder at Teds Beach is the day’s quiet centerpiece

The road then reaches Teds Beach Campground, where you have around an hour and 40 minutes. This is your main chance to spend time at Lake Pedder, walk along the shore, and eat the lunch purchased earlier.

Lake Pedder is visually different from the dam and forest. Its white sand contrasts with tannin-stained water, while steep mountains rise around the lake. The colors can change with the light and weather, so this is a good place to slow down rather than rush through a photo stop.

David also explains Lake Pedder’s history, including the changes that shaped the area. That context gives the view more meaning. You are not simply looking at a pretty lake. You are seeing a place tied to major questions about dams, wilderness, and Tasmania’s changing relationship with remote country.

I especially like the timing here. A lakeshore lunch gives you a proper pause after the forest walk and before the dam visit. You can eat outdoors beside the scenery, but you should be prepared for wind or rain. There is no promise of sheltered dining in the tour details.

Lake Pedder Lookout delivers the broadest view

After Teds Beach, a short drive leads to Lake Pedder Lookout. You have about 20 minutes to take in an elevated view of the lake and the glaciated mountain ranges of the southwest.

This stop works as a companion to Teds Beach. At the shore, you notice sand, water, and nearby forest. From the lookout, you understand the scale of the lake and the surrounding mountains. I would keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole stop looking at a screen. The point is the broad view.

Twenty minutes is enough for photos and a quiet look, though it is not a long hike or an extended viewpoint visit. If clouds settle over the mountains, the view may be partly hidden. That is a normal risk in this part of Tasmania, not a flaw in the route.

Crossing Gordon Dam is the tour’s boldest moment

The Gordon Dam stop lasts about an hour and 10 minutes. You walk across the 140-meter-high arch dam, described as Australia’s highest arch dam, with time for photos and a look down toward the gorge below.

This is not a drive-by photo stop. You get to cross the structure on foot, which changes how you understand its scale. Looking down from the dam can feel startling because the gorge is about 35 stories below. If heights make you uncomfortable, you can still appreciate the engineering without forcing yourself to stare over the edge.

The dam also gives the day a useful contrast. Lake Pedder and the rainforest show you Tasmania’s natural side. Gordon Dam shows the large-scale infrastructure built into that setting. Seeing both in one day helps you understand why the southwest is such a compelling place to visit.

Allow time for the conditions. The dam can feel exposed, especially in rain or wind. Wear secure shoes and bring a waterproof jacket. The walk itself is included, and the guide gives you time to take photos rather than hurrying you straight back to the vehicle.

Nob Hill and Gordon Dam Lookout add a high viewpoint

A short drive brings you to Nob Hill and the Gordon Dam Lookout. This stop lasts about 15 minutes and gives you an even higher perspective over the dam and surrounding country.

The viewpoint is brief, but it completes the sequence nicely. First you cross the dam and experience its height directly. Then you see the whole structure from above and understand how it fits into the gorge.

You will want a camera here, though weather may affect visibility. The supplied experience description recalls one guest feeling ready to fly from the viewpoint, which captures the exposed, open feeling better than a standard scenic-stop description.

The long return through the Southwest National Park

The tour continues through the Southwest National Park before stopping in Maydena. The full return section includes a short visit to this former timber town, with historic timber houses, forest plantations, eucalyptus woodland, and mountain-bike trails.

Maydena is not presented as a major sightseeing stop, and that is useful to know. You get a brief pause during the long drive rather than a full town tour. Its value is in showing how communities and working forests fit into the wider southwest region.

The scheduled time for this final portion is about two hours and 45 minutes, so you should be comfortable with a long stretch in the vehicle. Travel time is included in the nine-and-a-half-hour day, but the distance is still the central compromise of this tour.

If you want a trip with constant activity and little driving, this is not the right choice. If you want to reach places that are difficult to visit independently in one day, the road time is part of the deal.

What the small group and guide add

The vehicle carries no more than 10 people. That limit matters on a day with several hours of driving. You get a better chance to hear explanations, ask questions, and move through stops without the delays that come with a large coach.

Guide David is a particularly important part of the experience. His university-level understanding of Tasmania’s natural environment gives the rainforest and Lake Pedder sections real substance. On a departure with only two people, the explanations became especially close and personal.

The guide also appears attentive to conditions. During one rainy outing, David had extra windbreakers available. That is helpful, but I would still pack waterproof clothing, warm layers, and sturdy footwear because the tour requires outdoor walking in a remote area.

Weather, walking, and what to pack

The southwest can be wetter and colder than you expect from a morning in Hobart. Rain may last for much of the day, and poor weather can lead to cancellation or a change of date. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You should pack:

• A waterproof jacket
• Warm layers
• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Water
• A camera or phone with protection from rain
• Space in your day for a bakery-bought lunch and hot drink

Most people can participate, but the forest walk may require bending, and the dam crossing may not suit anyone very uneasy with heights. The walks are described as easy, yet the terrain and weather still require ordinary outdoor caution.

Who should book this Gordon Dam and Lake Pedder tour?

I would recommend this tour to you if you have limited time in Tasmania but want more than Hobart, Richmond, or an easy coastal outing. It suits you especially well if you enjoy nature interpretation, dramatic mountain views, engineering, and short walks rather than long hikes.

It is also a strong choice if you do not want to rent a car for a remote route. The air-conditioned vehicle, small group, included park entry, and local guidance take care of the practical work.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, need guaranteed sunshine, or want a relaxed day with plenty of free time. The itinerary is full, the southwest weather is unpredictable, and the trip returns to Hobart after a long day out.

At $186.48 per person, I see the price as fair for the access and range of stops, particularly for a small group. The strongest value comes from the guide’s explanations and the chance to combine Lake Pedder, rainforest, and Gordon Dam without arranging the route yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to reach Tasmania’s remote southwest in one day and you are happy to trade comfort and flexibility for access. The best reasons are the small group, David’s natural-history teaching, the unusual colors and story of Lake Pedder, and the chance to walk across Gordon Dam.

Skip it if your ideal day trip means minimal driving, gentle weather, or a single main attraction. For everyone else, this is a substantial, thoughtfully varied day that shows you a less familiar side of Tasmania.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 20 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000.

What time does the tour depart?

Departure is at 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

Does the tour return to Hobart?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point in Hobart.

Is lunch included?

No. You stop in New Norfolk to buy lunch and hot drinks at a local bakery.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is entry to the national park included?

Yes. Entry to the Southwest National Park and World Heritage Area is included.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or a full refund.