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    Central Plateau

    Landmark

    The Central Plateau is an extensive highland landscape of alpine moorland, rocky plains and thousands of glacial lakes and tarns in central Tasmania. Much of the plateau lies within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, where exposed dolerite terrain, low vegetation and interconnected waterways create a stark landscape markedly different from Tasmania's forested lowlands. Rapidly changing weather, frost, snow and low cloud reinforce its remote high-altitude character.

    -41.83000, 146.56000

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    Gallery

    Wooden boardwalk through alpine heath beside Pine Lake on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Boardwalk crossing alpine heath beside Pine Lake on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Wooden boardwalk through alpine heath beside Pine Lake on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Boardwalk crossing alpine heath beside Pine Lake on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Rocky shoreline of Lake Sorell beneath storm clouds in Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Stormy conditions over the rocky shoreline of Lake Sorell in Tasmania’s Central …

    Great Lake beneath dramatic storm clouds on Tasmania’s Central Plateau, Australia.

    Storm clouds gathering over Great Lake on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Great Lake at Middle Brandum in evening light on Tasmania’s Central Plateau, Australia.

    Evening light over Great Lake at Middle Brandum on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Great Lake surrounded by highland vegetation and distant hills on Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Great Lake stretching across Tasmania’s Central Plateau beneath a broad, cloud-f…

    Eucalypt forest and open highland vegetation beneath rocky ridges in Tasmania’s Central Highlands.

    Highland forest, open moorland and rugged ridges across Tasmania’s Central Plate…

    Highland Lakes Road through golden grassland near Great Lake in Tasmania’s Central Plateau.

    Highland Lakes Road crosses the open landscape of Tasmania’s Central Plateau nea…

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Roadside / Step-out

    0–5 min

    Elevation Gain

    10 m

    Best Light

    Sunrise
    Golden Hour
    Overcast

    Low-angle light reveals subtle relief across the exposed plateau, while calm conditions create reflections in the numerous lakes and tarns.

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief
    Reflections

    Season

    Seasonally Distinct

    Summer provides longer daylight and generally easier access across the highlands. Autumn brings colder nights and changing vegetation tones, while winter frequently brings frost, ice and snow. Spring remains highly variable, with lingering snow possible at elevation.

    Crowds

    Usually Quiet

    Restrictions

    Seasonal Access Risk

    Roads penetrate parts of the Central Plateau, providing access to lakes, moorland and highland viewpoints, but much of the wider wilderness requires walking or remote-area travel. Snow, ice and rapidly changing weather can affect roads and access during colder months.

    Photography Notes

    The Central Plateau is strongest as a broad wilderness landscape rather than a single landmark, with lakes, tarns, exposed rock and low alpine vegetation providing the principal subjects. Wide-angle lenses emphasise open space and foreground patterns, while telephoto lenses isolate distant ridges, waterways and layers of changing weather. Calm conditions provide reflections across the numerous lakes, while frost, snow, mist and dramatic cloud can transform the otherwise subdued highland landscape.
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