Visitor information and safety

• Please adhere to all boating regulations, minimum safety rules and courtesies. Check the boat ramp sign on-site.
• Always wear a life vest on the water and follow all speed limits.
• Marine and Safety Tasmania regulates the use of motorised on our waterways. Compliance of recreational boating safety on Hydro Tasmania's public recreational waters is regulated through Marine and Safety (Motorboats and Licence)  By-laws 2023 and the Marine and Safety (General) Regulations 2023.
• Prohibited areas for navigation and areas where speed of 5 knots are not to be exceeded as referred to in Schedule 2 and 3 of Marine and Safety (Motor Boats and Licence) By-laws 2023 and Schedule 5 of the Marine and Safety (General) Regulations 2023
• For more information, please visit Marine and Safety Tasmania.

Camping is allowed at selected sites. Please help us keep our campsites safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone by following the following guidelines.

Site durations vary so check the specific site listing for details. Where no duration is listed, the maximum stay is 28 days.

Be self-sufficient

• All campers, including those in caravans, campervans and motorhomes, must bring their own toilet and water.
• Our land does not have effluent dumping points. Effluent must be emptied at approved disposal stations outside Hydro Tasmania land. 

Campfires are not permitted unless clearly stated at the site. If allowed, you must: 

• Keep fires contained and never leave them unattended.
• Use fuel stoves where possible.
• Follow this rule to ensure the campfire is extinguished: Soak it. Stir it. Soak it again.
•  Additional restrictions may apply during fire bans or permit periods. Check the Tasmanian Fire Service website for current conditions. 

Hydro Tasmania does not issue hunting permits. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE) governs wildlife management in Tasmania. All information and maps can be found on the NRE website. 

To be eligible to hunt on our land, lakes or waterways, please ensure you: 

• are hunting within the duck or deer hunting restrictions listed below
• have a valid Firearms Licence and Game Licence, and comply with the provisions of the Firearms Act 1996
• adopt safe shooting practices and abide by all directional signs and lawful instructions given by any authorised persons
• hold public liability insurance (supplied as part of your membership with a hunting association) and carry evidence with you at all times
• restrict the use of vehicles to existing tracks only
• cause no environmental harm or damage. If damage is caused, you must report it to us. We may require that it be cleaned up and reinstated to our satisfaction and at your own expense. 

Failure to comply with any of these conditions may result in prosecution by Tasmania Police. 

As long as you comply with the following conditions, you may hunt ducks at the following designated land, lakes or waterways without seeking our permission. Duck hunting is not permitted at any of our other lakes, land or waterways. 

Designated duck hunting areas are: 

• Cowpaddock Bay, Arthurs Lake
• Lake Binney
• Lake Burbury
• Lake Catagunya
• Lake King William
• Brumbys Creek 

We may designate restricted areas within the boundaries of the land from time to time. Shooting is strictly prohibited in any restricted area.  

The sections of our land available for deer hunting are allocated to hunters as part of the Public Land Deer Hunting Ballot in collaboration with Parks and Wildlife Services and Game Services Tasmania. For more information, please contact: 

Public Land Deer Hunting Ballot Game 
Services Tasmania 
GPO Box 44, Hobart TAS 7001 
Ph: 1300 292 292 
deerballot@nre.tas.gov.au 

It is illegal to carry firearms on Hydro Tasmania land without our written permission.

We may issue a licence to allow you to carry a firearm across our land if you're accessing neighbouring property for legal hunting. When on our land (including lakes and waterways), you may be asked to show proof that you’re allowed to hunt on the adjoining property.  

To apply, please email applications.mailbox@hydro.com.au with the subject line: "Carrying firearms request". 

This does not apply to deer hunters with a permit through the Public Land Deer Hunting Ballot and duck hunters in permitted hunting areas. 

Hydro Tasmania may restrict firearm use at any time to protect public safety, our staff, infrastructure, or sensitive environmental areas. 

Off-road trail bike riding is prohibited on Hydro Tasmania land. Only registered bikes are allowed, and they must stay on public roads and abide by the relevant road rules. 

You are welcome to swim in our lakes that are open, however: 

• follow all signage at each site
• do not swim within 20 metres of a boat ramp
• never swim in an exclusion zone – even if it looks calm. 

Water-skiing is allowed at 4 lakes - Lake Trevallyn, Lake Meadowbank, Lake Rosebery, and Lake Barrington. 

In an emergency, dial 000. To report a non-urgent matter, contact Tasmania Police on 131 444. 

To report unsafe and non-compliant watercraft behaviour, contact Marine and Safety Tasmania. 

Most Hydro Tasmania recreation areas don’t have toilets. Please follow minimal impact camping by: 

• bringing a portable toilet
• burying toilet waste at least 100 metres from water, campsites and tracks, in a hole at least 15 cm deep (and covering it well)
• not burying sanitary items — take them with you
• emptying portable toilets and caravan waste at approved disposal sites outside of Hydro Tasmania land. 

Dogs are welcome on most of our land if they’re on a lead or under effective control. On land that is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Areas, local rules apply so please check on-site signs or contact  Parks and Wildlife Service. 

Using recreational drones over Hydro Tasmania land and assets is not permitted. If you want to use a drone for filming, media, research or education, please read our filming guidelines and apply for a filming permit.

Littering is not permitted on any Hydro Tasmania land or waterway. Please adopt the ‘leave no trace’ principles and take your rubbish with you when you leave.   

Please park responsibly and don’t prevent access to boat ramps or public sites. 

Cutting or collecting wood is not permitted on any Hydro Tasmania land.