A former Hydro town, Poatina is owned by Fusion Australia, a Christian youth and community organization which cares for homeless and unemployed young people in a supportive atmosphere. Being in the heart of Tasmania, Poatina is in easy reach of all of Tasmania's cities and makes the ideal location for a family holiday.

Where is it: 166 km from Hobart and 60 km from Launceston on the road from Tasmania s north east to the Central Highlands.


The postina Monument celebrates the thousands of people who have been residents of Poatina

Perched on top of a low plateau, Poatina was built during the 1960s to serve as a housing site for workers who were part of the town's hydro-electricity projects. The town's total population is 300. Set against the beautiful Great Western Tiers, Poatina is known for its charming landscape. The town is the perfect location for fishing, hiking, and other similar outdoor activities because of its geographical location. Activities in and around town include hiking, walking, trekking, cycling, and sightseeing.

The town comprises a 3 star Motel, Mountain View Restaurant, Mountain Cottages, Backpackers hostel, 54 brick veneer houses, Community Hall, Offices, Op shop, Gift shop, Service Station, Post Office, Recording Studio, Arts Centre, Hot Glass Studio, Training Centre, Kindergarten and Primary Trinity School, 9 hole - 18 tee golf course, tennis court, Swimming Centre, Playground, free electric BBQs and 24 hour Public Toilets.

In 1995 Fusion Australia, a Christian youth and community organisation purchased the chalet, educational and community buildings specifically to care for homeless and unemployed young people. They now effectively own and run the town. All new residents are interviewed and formally accepted by the village leadership. There is a ban on cats (with some exceptions) and a ban on drinking alcohol in public places.

Poatina Power Station

Poatina hydro-electric power station, some 3.5 km from the town, has six turbines, with a combined generating capacity of 300 MW of electricity. It makes use of a 900 metre drop from the Great Western Tiers to the Norfolk Plains; water from Great Lake is diverted via a tunnel to the edge of the Tiers where it plummets down a viable penstock line, which enters the ground again near the power station. The Poatina Power Station is located in a massive artificial underground cavern, hence the name Poatina, Palawa for cavern  or cave.

Great Lake

Great Lake, which is 22km long, has the distinction of being the highest lake in Australia and, until the HEC drowned Lake Pedder, it was also the largest freshwater lake in the country. It is a mecca for anglers, the trout fishing in Great Lake itself is excellent (as it is in most of the waters in this central highlands region) it is renowned for its summer 'hatches' of Highland Dun mayflies and the fat, speckled brown trout that dine greedily upon them. Miena, the region's major town, which stands on its shores, is often covered in a blanket of snow in winter. Nearby towns Liaweenee and Miena are popular holiday shack destinations for local tourists, despite the area s reputation as being one of the coldest in the generally mild-weathered state.



During the winter months when the weather is hardly conducive to camping, the population of these two small towns drops to two or three hundred. The Lake Highway runs along the west side of the lake. The Lake s original size was much smaller; it has been dammed at its southern outflow for hydro-electricity production. It is Australia s second largest freshwater lake (Lake Pedder is considered to be the largest), 1,030 metres above sea level. The lake has an area of 114 km2.

Arthurs Lake

Arthurs Lake is on the edge of the Central Plateau, east of Great Lake. It is a popular angling location and has good facilities for boat launching and camping. Weather in the highlands can change fast, making boating conditions dangerous. Please carry all required safety equipment and check local weather forecasts before you launch.

Bronte and Dee Lagoons, Bradys Lake and Lake Echo are members of a group of lakes on the southern rim of the plateau offering fine trout fishing opportunities and boat launching facilities. Accommodation is available nearby at Bronte Park and Tarraleah.