Pumphouse Point - Lake St Clair, Tasmania

246MarkD

We first stayed at Pumphouse Point back in 2019 and have spent the last six years raving about it to anyone who would listen. Finally in June we managed to get back and felt quite disappointed with the experience. The hotel has been sold and is now operated by the NRMA, this seems to have resulted in much of the magic being lost.||Firstly the setting remains stunning, staying out in the pumphouse in the middle of the lake is still a lovely experience, be prepared for some cold walks in winter but it’s worth it. The rooms are still nice although the small bathrooms a bit dated and lacking privacy, but the setting more than makes up for that.||Some things that need attention if this is to continue to be promoted as a premium hotel.|- house keeping, it’s just not cleaned properly, in the rooms and common areas. We had cobwebs, not just on the windows but in the bathroom that were not cleaned. Cleaning the carpets seemed very occasional with crumbs etc left for days.|- catering, dinners were okay but a bit hit and miss, often cold and not fresh. Breakfast was really poor, reminiscent of a cheap motel, the communal dinners which we enjoyed a lot on previous visit seem to be gone. Lunch provisions are provided daily’s, bread, a couple of cheeses and cold meat. It would be fine except it never changes, exactly the same day after day, it just seems lazy not to add some variety.|- Drinks, there is no wine available by the glass, just a very limited selection of wines by the bottle at very expensive prices. The wonderful honour bars in the lounges on our last visit are all gone. The pre-dinner drinks each night are very limited, staff seem very uncertain what’s is included and the nightly cocktail seems almost alcohol free.|- Staff, most are friendly enough and trying hard but almost all seem to be untrained and mostly travellers. One staff member who went to great effort to tell us he was the Manager gave us the worst customer service experience.|- the retreat, a seperate and somewhat remote building and the most premium of the rooms is now being surrounded by similar copies currently under construction which will take away from its charm considerably.||We spoke to a number of other guests on return visits after previous great stays who shared our dismay and told us it would be their last visit. You simply can’t charge $1000 a night and get these things wrong, it’s a shame as this is such a remarkable place.

Scott I.

Pumphouse Point, Lake St Clair (April stay, King Room – Top Floor)

We spent two unforgettable nights at Pumphouse Point in April, staying in a top-floor King Room within the iconic pumphouse itself. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the peaceful seclusion and breathtaking scenery—surrounded by Tasmania’s pristine wilderness and the ever-changing moods of Lake St Clair.

The room was beautifully appointed, warm, and inviting, with panoramic views that made it hard to leave. Evenings by the fireplace with a glass of wine in hand were a real highlight, and the honesty bar and communal lounge spaces created a welcoming, relaxed vibe.

The food was excellent—hearty breakfasts and the shared dinner experience added to the charm. The wine list was thoughtfully curated, and the staff were consistently warm, friendly, and helpful without being overbearing.

It’s worth noting: this isn’t a traditional five-star luxury hotel where every detail is micromanaged for you. Instead, Pumphouse offers something rarer—a chance to disconnect, slow down, and enjoy the raw beauty of nature in comfort. It’s a refined, minimalist kind of luxury that gives you space to breathe.

We left feeling recharged, inspired, and already dreaming of our return.

TC P.

We stayed here in February 2025 for two nights during our honeymoon. We were a bit skeptical about their dining concept by which one is placed with others on large tables. However, this turned out to be a lot of fun, as all the other guests turned out to be incredibly nice and private time we could spend together throughout the day. The hotel is absolutely gorgeous (we recommend the rooms in the actual pump house on the lake), the food is great and the surrounding landscape incredibly beautiful. There are also a number of beautiful hikes and other sightseeing opportunities one can reach within a short drive from the hotel. We can fully recommend this hotel.

paulcS9090FB

A Disappointing Return to a Previously Loved Destination||It’s disappointing to write this review, as we’ve absolutely loved Pumphouse Point during past stays. Unfortunately, this time, the special atmosphere that once made it so memorable seemed to be missing.||To start with the positives—because there are still some. The location remains simply stunning. Sitting in the lounge, looking out over Lake St Clair with a glass of wine in hand and a crackling wood fire nearby is still an unforgettable experience. The surrounding walks are world-class, and the accommodation is faultless: spacious, beautifully appointed, and designed with comfort in mind. The staff were warm, helpful and genuinely lovely throughout our stay.||However, there were several aspects that significantly impacted our experience.||The Food:|Sadly, the dining was well below par for a premium destination. Meals arrived cold or lukewarm at best, portions were small, and desserts lacked imagination. On two nights, dessert was simply a small, dry cake with nothing to accompany it. Another guest even joked, “Did they buy these in a packet from Woolies and just plate them up?” The food gave the impression of being pre-prepared and reheated rather than freshly cooked. Everything was under-seasoned, and condiments weren’t provided on the tables—you had to ask each night. When I raised concerns about the cold food, staff said they’d inform the chef, but there was no follow-up. We never saw the chef or smelt any food cooking, which felt unusual for a place like this.||Dining Atmosphere:|One of the standout features of past visits was the communal dining experience. Guests sat at long shared tables, where conversations flowed freely, and it was easy to meet new people and form unexpected friendships. The restaurant used to be vibrant—filled with laughter, chatter, and a genuine sense of connection.||Unfortunately, that atmosphere seems to have been lost. Guests are now offered the option to dine separately, and many understandably choose to do so. While this may suit some, the result is a dining room that feels sterile and silent—there’s not even ambient music to soften the mood. On our first night, the space felt so flat and uninviting that I just wanted to leave. It was a stark contrast to the warm, lively experience we’d looked forward to in the past.||Changes to the Honesty Bar:|We understand the removal of the honesty bar due to RSA regulations, but the replacement system is far from guest-friendly. Alcohol is now only available for purchase between 3pm and 10pm, and we often found ourselves chasing up staff—who were in the middle of setting up the restaurant for dinner service—to get a drink. There was no drinks list for spirits or beers, so guests are left having to ask what’s available and how much everything costs. When I enquired, I was told they’re in the process of updating their offerings—but surely a temporary list could be provided, especially when some items are at the top end of the price scale.||Lounge Closure:|One of the greatest disappointments was the closure of the lounge at 10pm. In previous visits, this space was a highlight—somewhere to relax after dinner, chat with other guests, and soak in the atmosphere. Now, you’re asked to return to your room, which really undermines the relaxed and communal experience that used to define Pumphouse Point.||We know that Pumphouse Point is now under NRMA management, and unfortunately, it shows. It feels like the place is moving towards a more corporate, structured model—losing some of the charm and personality that made it feel so special. What was once a tranquil, soulful escape where you could truly let your hair down and dissolve into the surroundings now feels more rigid and impersonal.||All in all, this visit left us disheartened. We truly hope Pumphouse Point finds its way back to the warmth, authenticity and magic that made it so loved in the past.

WestyTweedValley

It was satisfying as an overall experience. Unique location, good service, comfortable rooms, good breakfast, and fresh bread with picnic lunch items. There were comfortable lounges across most areas with roaring fires and spectacular outlooks. At this point in time, though, the chef needs a shake-up. The hot dinners were lacking heat and quality - they were overcooked and disappointing. They don't match the quality of the establishment nor the prices.

Lisa W.

A truly unique and beautiful place to stay. However, I found the communal dining (tables of 6) uncomfortable. I would have preferred the option to sit only with my husband - afterall this was a romantic getaway. Instead we felt we had to make small talk with the 4 other people seated at the table. The second night we skipped dinner, and drove next door to the st clair lodge and enjoyed a beautiful meal there instead.

amandacG7771MD

We were so looking forward to our time at The Pumphouse but were very disappointed with the accommodation. We stayed in a lake view room in the Shoreline building with a fantastic view of the lake and the Pumphouse. Our room was very poor standard. NO VENTILATION! No opening windows, no air vents and no A/C. The only form of air circulation was a fan! Unfortunately this fan had not had its blades cleaned in many years and the dust build up was shocking. Mould on the carpet near the head of the bed. The room was so hot in the afternoon sun you could not stay in the room and enjoy the view. The original windows had years of dirt and cobwebs. |The staff were very young but very friendly. A newer, cleaner fan was found eventually. Food was of a very good standard but the cleaning in the Shoreline accommodation was of a poor standard. Not worth the money paid. Great position but the building needs an upgrade with ventilation and cleaning standards.

Sarah T.

Beautiful setting, accomodation was nice (we stayed in the Retreat) The purpose of our stay was a weekend away for my husbands birthday.

We are Tasmanian and know what standard to expect for the food, especially at high end venues. It was not as advertised. Unfortunately the food was subpar. Didn’t taste very nice or even fresh. We skipped breakfast on the last day of our trip having had it and being disappointed the day before.

It was expensive ($3,500 WITH a discount) we expected better. The room was marketed as ‘all inclusive’ but none of the drinks in our room were replenished during our stay and I had to ask for the ‘larder’ top up on our second day. It was also a bit unclear if we were allowed to have any alcohol from the communal dining area so we just didn’t. I know we could have asked but the whole communal dining was a bit awkward as we had gone as a couple. The cocktails that were made for us each night didn’t taste very alcoholic to be honest.

Our room was cleaned while my husband had a massage (which he said was really good) on the first morning but the carpet wasn’t vacuumed (there were a few crumbs from the sourdough bread) Hours before check out time the housekeeping staff had left all their cleaning products waiting outside the door which I thought was unprofessional.

Having had Pumphouse Point on my wish list for a while, we would not return based on the above listed.