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September 13, 2025 — 12:00am
Simon Currant saw which way the current was flowing for Tasmanian tourism before most.
The highly decorated tourism developer recognised the potential in a disused hydroelectric plant on Australia’s deepest freshwater lake – the remote, glacial Lake St Clair – well before the state was internationally known for being cool, and voguish stays began to proliferate.
It was in the final years of the last century that Currant first saw the 1940-built Hydro Electricity Commission’s strangely ornate plant standing in the misty waters at the southern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
He began a years-long process of getting permissions to turn it into a luxury wilderness retreat, before embarking on a decade of works turning it and the nearby Shorehouse building into Pumphouse Point.
Pumphouse Point opened in 2015 to acclaim and awards, offering stunning accommodation in the midst of World Heritage Listed wilderness at the southern end of the Overland Track.
Whether they come for hiking, biking or simply relaxing, Pumphouse Point has been popular with travellers ever since.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Currant added to the property in 2017. And in 2022, Pumphouse Point was bought by NRMA Parks & Resorts, which has just opened two new premium retreats.
They join what was the only retreat accommodation – regarded as the best in the Pumphouse Point inventory – in response to rising demand for a more exclusive stay at the property.
The $2.25 million development is the first phase of a new round of enhancements designed to raise the property’s luxury offering.
Each retreat features a king bed with premium linens, a lounge, outdoor terrace, fireplace and bathtub. Retreat bookings come with all-inclusive dining and drinks in the Heritage Shorehouse restaurant as well as in the suite, where there’s a bar stocked with local wines, craft beers, ciders and gourmet treats.
The retreats are furnished with furniture that was crafted locally and decorative items, as well as Tasmanian amenities.
Also included is the new Pumphouse Point history tour, where guests can join a guided, 45-minute walk taking in the 1930s designed Pumphouse, Shorehouse and a chocolate tasting in partnership with Tasmania’s chocolatier, House of Anvers.
More new experiences will be announced soon.
Pumphouse Point is about a 2½-hour drive from both Hobart and Launceston through World Heritage-listed wilderness. A helicopter transfer from Hobart is also available.
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