Great Lake

Great Lake is a large natural freshwater lake on the Central Plateau in Tasmania's Central Highlands, adjacent to the township of Miena. At about 1,030 metres elevation and covering around 176 square kilometres, it is Tasmania's second-largest natural freshwater lake. Augmented by Miena Dam for hydro-electric generation, it is renowned for wild brown and rainbow trout fishing and highland scenery.

Visitors can expect a vast, shallow highland lake set in open moorland and alpine landscape with rocky shores, small islands and extensive shallows. The foreshore around Miena and Liawenee provides boat ramps, jetties and lookouts over the water and Miena Dam. Activities centre on trout fishing, boating, kayaking and photography, with accommodation, a general store and hotel at Miena serving as a base to explore the Central Plateau.

Great Lake is a natural lake augmented for hydro-electric power. Miena Dam No.1 was completed in 1922 and replaced by the larger Miena Dam No.2 in 1967, raising and regulating water levels as part of Tasmania's Hydro-Electric Scheme. The lake and surrounding Central Plateau have long been used for grazing and later developed as a centre for trout fishing after trout introduction in Tasmania in the late 19th century.

The lake is culturally significant as Tasmania's premier highland trout fishing destination, central to the state's angling heritage and tourism. The small settlements of Miena and Liawenee reflect highland shack and fishing culture, with seasonal angling communities and events centred on the trout season.