Arthurs Lake is located in the central highlands of Tasmania, Australia. The man-made lake has a submerged forest that gives the area an unusual, haunting beauty, especially during the early morning mist or sunset.
Why visit
Not many Australians and Tasmanians know about this magical place.
Arthurs Lake is a man-made reservoir created in the 1920s for hydroelectricity generation. The Arthurs Lake Hydro Project is a fascinating example of large-scale engineering and its environmental impact.
The creation of the reservoir and power station involved flooding the valley, submerging forests and turning what was once a thriving woodland into a unique and eerie landscape. The sight of those dead trees along the shoreline gives the lake an unusual, haunting beauty, especially during the early morning mist or sunset.
The submerged forest serves as both a reminder of the area’s past and as an example of how human interventions can reshape the natural world. These dead trees, although no longer alive, create an almost surreal atmosphere, with the water reflecting their gnarled trunks and branches. It’s a stark contrast between the power of nature and the engineering required to harness it.
When to go
Anytime is a good time but I prefer to visit in winter. Last winter the lake froze over and it was quite a unique moment. I also prefer winter because the days are shorter and the dawn shots are not as early as summer time. Another reason to go in winter (or autumn) is astrophotography to catch some milky way action.
Getting there
Accessible only by car, Arthurs Lake lies to the northeast of the town of Bothwell, about 90 kilometers north of Hobart. It’s approximately 60 kilometers west of Launceston. To get there from Launceston, you can take the Midland Highway (A1) heading south, then take the B51 road towards the west, which leads directly to the lake. It’s a popular spot for fishing and outdoor activities and offers scenic views, especially in the surrounding Tasmanian wilderness.
Getting around
Stay for at least a night or two if you want to catch some good light. You can rent one of the cabins around the lake or stay at the blue lake lodge. When you are settled into your new abode it’s as simple as walking out the front door and walking along the banks of the lake on either side. Wherever you look you should see some dead trees at least 15-20 minutes walk from your cabin. The area is full of large boulders so you may need to do a bit of climbing. Take it slow and safe as some boulders or rocks may be loose.
What gear to take
I recommend at least a ten stop filter, a carbon fibre tripod, a long lens in the range of a 50-200mm, and waterproof gear, clothes and boots.
Click here for a short video showing my travel kit.
Shooting tips
Most of my photos were done with a ten stop filter on my carbon fibre tripod during the day. This allowed me to slow down the water which usually does not have much movement. For most shots I shot from a 50mm to a 400mm full frame equivalent range. At f/11 for great depth of field and ISO 100 to avoid any grain. This also allowed me to get long exposures of 2-3 minutes.
It’s just a matter of choosing a cluster of trees or picking out an individual tree you like the shape or form. Once you have lined up your composition it’s time to wait for the beautiful light. Same idea goes for astrophotography, but if shooting a milky way make sure to pray to the weather gods for a cloudless sky and use an app like PhotoPills to research exactly where and when your milky way will appear.
For over a decade I have been visiting this lovely lake and have really gotten to know and see the changes happening in my favourite trees. I also love seeing the relationship between the trees. Even though they are dead, they seem alive and full of character.
Written and photographed by Alfonso Calero.
See details of Alfonso’s Tasmanian Photo Tours.
