Tasmania’s first licensed Western Lakes Wilderness Huts guiding operation are located around 90 minutes from Launceston, consisting of eco-friendly accommodation in remote private huts, surrounded by a dozen rare species of flora and fauna, some of which exist nowhere else on earth.

Located at approximately two and a half kilometres’ hike from the arrival location, the ‘simple, private and sustainable’ camp consists of three accommodation huts (sleeping a maximum of two people per hut), along with a communal cooking hut.

Opened in December 2012, the huts themselves are simple, modern and of lightweight structures, constructed with insulated walls, canvas roofs and ceilings and wrap-around decks, all perched above the native flora on raised platforms.

All meals are included in your stay, with outdoor dining and open fire under the stars complementing the experience.

Iconic Tasmanian animals such as Wallabies, Wombats, Owls and Eagles are very common, with Quolls and Tasmanian Devils also endemic. As a backdrop to the camp, a snow-capped Mount Olympus, the heath of Skullbone Plains, and the gravel-sand beaches of Lake Ina create an inspiring alpine setting.

The Wilderness Huts are also privileged to be the only operator licensed by Parks and Wildlife to operate guided fly fishing trips in the adjacent Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

Camping in the UNESCO listed Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage the private Western Lakes Huts are located on the iconic conservation property, Skullbone Plains.  Just two-hundred metres away from the huts, through forest and alpine heath, sits the snow gum-lined beaches of Lake Ina, the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, and the greater Western Lakes wild trout fishery.

The unique combination of location and sight-fishing opportunities make the Wilderness Huts one of the most exciting guided freshwater fly fishing initiatives in Australia. This is a fly fishing and wilderness experience you will never forget.

Spanning an area of forty kilometres by twenty kilometres, the Western Lakes has few comparisons globally. Also known as the Land of Three Thousand Lakes, the region averages an altitude of 1000 metres and features varied terrain from alpine to temperate rainforest. The focus of the guides is on maximising sight-fishing and dry fly fishing opportunities. Wild brown trout dominate the fishery, with an average size of two and a half pounds (eighteen inches) with the largest Trout caught in recent years estimated at seventeen pounds in weight.

The challenging fly fishing is dominated by lake-edge sight-fishing and wade-polaroiding, in shallow, crystal clear waters where dry flies are the norm. The only other comparison to this style of fly fishing is flats-fishing for bonefish. Lake-shallows are scanned for cruising browns which are targeted with a quick presentation and the rest is up to the trout and angler.

A typical day consists of ten to fifteen kilometres of hiking and fishing around Lake Ina and surrounds carrying a day-pack and fly gear, so some fitness is essential. In stable weather patterns, they head further afield beyond Ina, fishing headwater tarns for once-in-a-lifetime Trophy Trout. A total of ten or so lakes and tarns are accessible from RiverFly Western Lakes Huts.

As per all Fly Odyssey bookings, we will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed pre-trip fly fishing guide prior to your departure.

Numerous flights are available to Launceston Airport via Melbourne, Sydney or Hobart while you can also get the Spirit of Tasmania overnight ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.

Travel time to the camp is approximately two hours south of Launceston.

With the earliest domestic flight arriving into Launceston around 9:00 am, we can arrange for same-day fishing or commence the following day once you have settled in. The airport is a short taxi or shuttle bus into the city.

To get the most out of your guided fly fishing days, our Three Rivers and Wilderness Huts packages include accommodation both before and after each days guiding to fit in with the limited domestic flight schedules out of Launceston.

Alternatively, Fly Odyssey can facilitate private airport transfers, accommodation or self-drive itineraries in Tasmania if you wish to extend your stay, including Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Hobart or as part of a multi-destination itinerary throughout Australia.

A minimum of six months validity on all passports from date of arrival is required. An Electronic Travel Authority or Tourist Visa Stream is required by residents of eligible countries to enter Australia (excluding New Zealand)

Let us do the groundwork for you.

Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences. They are also quoted in your local currency with very favourable exchange rates.

Fly Odyssey has access to the best guiding and lodging rates, and updated availability to this destination which can vary throughout the season.

This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.

We specialise in group stays to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground in Tasmania will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.

This includes extended stays in Launceston, Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet and the Great Lakes region.

Please enquire for the latest rates and availability, including information on any applicable special offers.

CONTACT OUR AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

• M: +61 (0)499 900816
• E: travel@flyodyssey.com.au

Creating and sharing memorable travel experiences with our clients and friends provides us with genuine satisfaction. All of our trips are bespoke, tailored to your needs, and we always love hearing all about the adventure on your return.

Our knowledge of travel logistics saves you time, and our highly experienced team is here to ensure it’s spent on the water and not at the desk or on a long flight connection that you didn’t require. Since 2006 we have developed a valued client-base that has travelled to all corners of the globe.

We are a fully-accredited travel agency, where all of our flights, accommodation and associated travel bookings are made in-house, which means that you pay less. We have access to a huge range of specials, deals, great volume pricing and excellent currency exchange rates which allows us to pass these benefits directly onto you.

On the fishing front, our extensive expertise and experience around prime seasons, species, moon-phases, tides and personalised customer service is centred around one principal – preparation. This includes detailed gear and equipment lists, the fly patterns, transfer details, up-to-date fishing reports and some of the finer aspects that can often be overlooked.

We travel extensively and understand that your free-time is important. Just as we all understand from experience, that the key to a successful trip is pre-trip preparation.

Our highly experienced team has fly fished the world for the last 25 years, and we understand the considerations and gear needed to turn a good fly fishing trip into a great one.

Fly fishing and travel is our passion.