Derwent Bridge: The Wall and Lake St Clair

Derwent Bridge connects a striking cultural attraction with nature destinations in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. On the edge of town is The Wall in the Wilderness; Lake St Clair and walking trails offer other perspectives on the region. Derwent Bridge is the southern gateway to the park’s World Heritage Area.

Lake St Clair and the region’s landscapes

Derwent Bridge is just 5 km from the shore of Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. From Derwent Bridge, travellers turn onto Lake St Clair Road (C193) to reach the visitor centre at Cynthia Bay. The distance refers to the lakeshore; the road directions lead to the visitor centre. This gives you two specific reference points for the lake’s location and the route to Cynthia Bay.

Around Lake St Clair, Bennett’s wallabies, pademelons, wombats, echidnas, quolls and platypuses are part of the native wildlife. For a different view of the landscape, visit King William Saddle Overlook, a parking area on the Lyell Highway ten minutes west of Derwent Bridge. From there, you can see 1,000 m-high dolerite peaks and button grass plains. Check road conditions and facilities locally.

The Wall and cultural perspectives

The Wall in the Wilderness is on the edge of Derwent Bridge. The 100 m-long woodcarving depicts the history of the region and pays tribute to the initiative, spirit and perseverance of the residents of the Central Highlands, as well as the people who settled and protected the region. This adds a tangible connection to regional history alongside the lake and landscape.

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Walk starts at Lake St Clair. Its starting point is therefore different from The Wall on the edge of town: you can include both attractions in your plans as cultural experiences at different locations.

Walks with different time and distance details

The Overland Track is a 65 km, six-day alpine walk through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The walk to Echo Point is 11 km one way, runs close to the shore of Lake St Clair and passes mostly through rainforest. The details represent different planning measures: the Overland Track specifies both distance and duration, while the Echo Point walk gives the distance in one direction. Check the latest park notices for Echo Point before setting out.

A ferry service is another possible excursion: the passenger ferry from Cynthia Bay to Narcissus Bay at the northern end of the lake is Australia’s highest-altitude ferry service. If you plan to use this service, check booking information and operations before your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Winkleigh, Hawley Beach, Port Huon, Taranna, Gladstone, Bream Creek, Strathgordon, Westbury.

For the main travel overview: Tasmania.