4WD Tasmania

03/10/2026

ℹ️ Lake Augusta Road – partial reopening
Central Plateau Conservation Area

The gate on Lake Augusta Road providing access to Lake Ada and the Nineteen Lagoons is now open.

Pillans Lake Track and Talinah Lagoon Track remains closed and will be reassessed in early November.

The annual closure ensures vehicles are not driving on wet, boggy roads which results in damage to the Nineteen Lagoons road network

Know before you go and keep up to date with current alerts and closures: www.parks.tas.gov.au/alerts

02/10/2026

24/09/2026

Has anyone had any issues trying to get a campsite at these locations over peak periods?

Campers will be able to book a site at some of Tasmania's most popular campgrounds from early November, under the first phase of a new online booking system for national parks.

Story here: https://ab.co/4d32qcJ

14/09/2026

The Mt McCall track is accessible again. The key can gained by contacting Parks and Wildlife at Strahan (to then collect the key at a set date/time from the Parks Queenstown works Depo).

Great news for visitors exploring Tasmania’s West Coast.

The new Crotty River Bridge on Kelly Basin Road is now open, restoring access and improving safety for users accessing the Mount McCall 4WD Track and the popular Kelly Basin Walk.

The replacement bridge is a durable precast concrete structure that will provide a much longer lifespan than the previous timber bridge.

Despite challenging conditions, contractors successfully completed the project, helping reconnect visitors with these spectacular destinations, including the Kelly Basin Walk, which is featured in Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks.

Planning your next Tasmanian adventure? Know before you go and keep up to date with current alerts and closures: www.parks.tas.gov.au/alerts

19/08/2026

Clarence Lagoon Shoreline Gate Key - Update 20th August 2026
Additional Information re keys

Greetings All

Following on from last week’s post regarding access to the Clarence Lagoon shore, we can now pass on some additional information regarding the procedure for obtaining gate keys.

Visitors to Clarence Lagoon who need vehicular access to the shore for fishing or to launch watercraft can obtain a key to the gate from the Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS) Field Centre at Lake St Clair during office hours which are:
8.15am – 4.45pm 7 days a week, 1st October to 31st May
9.00am – 4.00pm 7 days a week, 1st June to 31st August
8.30am – 4.30pm 7 days a week 1st – 30th September

It will be advisable to ring the Field Centre in advance to check key availability, telephone (03) 6289 1115.

On collection of the keys, a form will need to be completed, this is a standard PWS form used for access keys in all the areas they manage. Information required will include name, address, contact phone number, drivers licence number and the registration number, make and model of vehicle(s).

There will not be any key deposit to pay, however we recommend that visitors read the Terms and Conditions outlined on the form before signing.

Keys should be returned to the Field Centre at the end of your visit. If the Field Centre is closed, keys can be left in the ‘Comments’ box which is outside the Field Centre, if unsure ask the Field Centre staff to show you where the comments box is when you collect the keys.

Note also that access will not be available on days of extreme fire danger or during severe weather events.

Just a reminder that Clarence Lagoon is a fuel stove only area, no campfires. Also keep to the access track and take all rubbish with you when you leave.

Kind Regards
4WD Tasmania

14/08/2026

CLARENCE LAGOON ACCESS - UPDATE 14TH AUGUST 2026

Following the recent advice from Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS) regarding the installation of a cable gate closing vehicular access to the last 400 metres of the track to Clarence Lagoon, 4WD Tasmania discussed the matter with PWS, and we can advise the following:

The closed section of the track was actually designated as a walking track under the Tasmanian World Heritage Area Management Plan 1999. Subsequent publications have also referred to the gated section as ‘walking track’.

Nevertheless, until recently PWS has been tolerant of vehicles using the ‘walking track’ to the lagoon shoreline for the purpose of launching watercraft (e.g. kayaks, canoes etc.) and for fishing.

However, this tolerance was conditional upon track users doing the right thing and unfortunately, in recent times, a number of problems have been observed, summarized as follows:
(A) Campfires are being lit, although the area is a designated as ‘fuel stove only’, and in some cases these campfires are not being extinguished properly upon departure.
(B) Litter is being left behind.
(C) Vehicles - both ATVs and 4WDs - have been driving off the tracks causing damage to areas that are closed for rehabilitation.

In order to address the above issues, PWS has taken the step of installing a cable gate on the walking track.

Key Access
Subsequent to the discussions between PWS and 4WD Tasmania referred to above, we can now advise that as a goodwill gesture, PWS will provide a gate key to bona fide recreational users of Clarence Lagoon who need vehicular access to the lagoon shoreline to launch watercraft, or for fishing.

Intending visitors to Clarence Lagoon can obtain a gate key from the PWS Lake St Clair Field Centre. It will be advisable to call the Field Centre ahead of time on 6289 1115 to check on availability.

Also, it should be noted that such access will depend very much upon ALL visitors observing the following:

(A) No campfires or wood-fired firepots, use gas or liquid fired fuel stoves.
(B) Take all your rubbish with you when you leave
(C) Vehicles must use the existing track only - no driving off track.

Kind Regards
4WD TASMANIA

11/08/2026

For those familiar with the area was this needed?

Due to illegal off-track four-wheel-driving activity, a new gate is now installed at the end of the four-wheel-drive track leading into Clarence Lagoon.

These previously restored areas have been significantly damaged, mainly due to four-wheel-drive use.

Clarence Lagoon is known among anglers as a challenging but rewarding brook trout fishery located within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

When fishing, please comply with the rules and regulations to help protect this unique wilderness area for generations to come.

Find fact sheets for Clarence Lagoon and other fishing hotspots in Tasmania: https://www.ifs.tas.gov.au/anglers-access-program

Read more about the new gate installation: https://parks.tas.gov.au/be-involved/news-and-events/new-gate-installation-at-clarence-lagoon

28/07/2026

Telstra mobile customers from today on supported devices have gained satellite data support for certain messaging, weather and map apps.

https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-technology/satellite-to-mobile

Keep this in mind next time you are out of mobile reception and may need to contact others or need up to date info.

Telstra Satellite Messaging complements Telstra mobile services by supporting satellite text messaging in most parts of mainland Australia.

31/05/2026

Today’s LROCT club trip to Pelverata Falls, thanks Michiel for leading and a great day out with 10 vehicles on the trip. We even had a bit of fun in the mud! 🪾

25/05/2026

Thank you to all the members from affiliated 4wd clubs who attended the recent 4wd Tasmania AGM for the next financial year. All the existing people in official roles accepted their positions again for another year, so thank you all for your time volunteering to benefit others that often goes unseen!

2026-2027 4WD TASMANIA OFFICE BEARERS
- President: Greg Daly
- Vice Presidents: Phil Whiteway (North), Jarrod Doyle (South)
- Secretary: Barney Campbell
- Treasurer: Anna McKay
- Access & Environment Officer: Barney Campbell
- Media & Public Relations Officer: Barney Campbell
- Driver Training Officer: Chris Chatterton
- Insurance Officer: Greg Daly
- Public Officer: Greg Daly
- Webmaster: Jarrod Doyle
- 4wd Australia Delegates: Greg Daly, Chris Chatterton

Attached is some photos from Agfest 2026 where 4wd Tasmania volunteers organised working bees, tickets, the display trailer, merchandise, banners, stickers, talked on the mic, helped with demonstrations, drove around the track, camped nearby and many other tasks for several long days.