Lake Pedder Escape Road — Strathgordon to Lake Pedder via Gordon Dam Approach
Gordon Dam, drowned glacial lake, zero signal.
The drive into Strathgordon is one of the most isolated sealed and gravel runs in Australia’s island state — but it’s the unsealed spurs off the main road that reward the curious. Branching southwest from Maydena through the Weld Valley and climbing into the Southwest National Park buffer, the route passes towering buttongrass plains, pencil pine pockets, and delivers you to the Gordon Dam wall — a 140-metre double-curvature arch you can walk across if the gates are open. From there, forest tracks push toward Lake Pedder’s eastern shore, where the old pre-flooding quartzite beach now lies metres underwater, a ghost beloved by Tasmanian conservationists who’ve never forgotten it.
The main Strathgordon Road is sealed but surrounding spurs are rough gravel and clay that turn to skating rinks in wet weather — which in southwest Tasmania means most of the year. A high-clearance 4WD is essential for the side tracks; the sealed main road is passable by most vehicles but services are non-existent past Maydena. Fuel up in Maydena before you leave. No mobile coverage. Best run November through April when the clay tracks are driest. Dispersed camping is available at designated sites within the national park. Parks Tasmania pass required.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 74 mi / 119 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Maydena, Tasmania |
| Land manager | Parks Tasmania |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parks.tas.gov.au |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or 4Runner handle this trail without a lift?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD with good all-terrain tyres is the minimum — this isn't a locker-required trail, but low range is essential on the wetter sections and any creek crossings. Sedans and soft-roaders won't make it. A lift helps but isn't mandatory if your approach angles are decent.
When does the trail become impassable due to weather?
May through October is when you want to avoid it — Tasmania's southwest gets hammered with rain and the dirt sections turn to bog. November through April gives you the best window, though even summer storms can close sections fast. Always check with Parks Tasmania before you leave Maydena.
Do I need a permit to drive through and camp here?
Yes — Tasmania National Parks entry fees apply, and you'll need a valid Parks Pass for Southwest National Park. Purchase it online through Parks Tasmania before you go; there's no gate infrastructure out here to buy one on the spot. Zero cell service means you can't sort it last minute from the trail.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The creek crossings after rain are where most people get caught out — water depth is unpredictable and the approaches can be slick clay. The trail itself isn't technically brutal, but the remoteness is the real difficulty multiplier: if you get stuck or break something, recovery is on you because help is hours away. Budget time, carry a recovery kit, and don't rush the crossings.
Is there any water or fuel available on the trail, and how far is the last servo from the start?
There is no fuel or services once you leave Maydena — top up there before you head in, and treat it as your last chance for anything. Drinking water can be sourced from streams but filter or treat everything given the remote agricultural and natural runoff. Carry more fuel than you think you need; 119km of rough terrain burns more than highway driving.
Trail track
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