Lake St Clair: Cynthia Bay to Platypus Bay

Launch from the boat ramp at Cynthia Bay, by the park visitor centre at the southern end of Lake St Clair, and paddle west round the shore of the bay. Cross the mouth of Platypus Bay, where the Cuvier and Hugel rivers come in at Watersmeet, and follow the western shore north under myrtle and eucalypt forest, with Mount Olympus rising across the lake. Turn when you have gone far enough, about 2½ kilometres up the shore, and come back.

It is 5.8 km there and back; allow about 1¼ hours in a kayak or canoe and 1¾ on a paddleboard. The grade is Easy, but this is an alpine lake: the water is cold all year, and wind can sweep down its 15-kilometre length and raise waves quickly. Stay close to the shore, and turn back early if the weather changes. Snow, rain and strong wind are possible in any month.

The lake lies in Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and a Tasmanian parks pass is needed. A passenger ferry runs from Cynthia Bay up the lake, so keep clear of the jetty. Platypus live in the lake: look for them at dawn and dusk. Wear a lifejacket and check the conditions before you set off.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap waterways (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.