Open Water Swimming Tasmania
DISTANCE
25.4km
WATER TYPE
Lake
EXPERIENCE
Experienced
LOCATION
Miena
REGION
Central Highlands
Swim Stats
First completed: March 2022 (Ross Youngman, Australia)
Total successful completions: 2
Fastest recorded male time: 10:22:05 (Ross Youngman, March 2022)
Fastest recorded female time: 9:13:44 (Miu Tanaka, March 2026)
Overview
Covering more than 170 square kilometres, Yingina / Great Lake is Tasmania's third largest freshwater lake and one of the defining features of the Central Highlands. Its elevated location, cold temperatures and rapidly changing weather create conditions that demand respect, while rewarding swimmers with an unforgettable experience.
The lake sits at 1,030m above sea level, which offers the additional challenge of being Tasmania's highest marathon swim. Even during summer, water temperatures remain cool and exposure to the elements is a significant consideration.
Yet it is just these qualities that make the lake so compelling. If you're lucky enough to find a calm day, you can enjoy the experience of swimming in its clean fresh waters, reflecting the surrounding highland landscape and endless Tasmanian sky.
For open water swimmers, a crossing of Yingina represents a uniquely Tasmanian challenge: remote, beautiful, cold and deeply connected to the wild character of the Central Highlands.
Route Description
A swim route has been established along the length of the lake, from Breona in the north to Miena in the south (or vice versa). This route is 25.4km.
The entry point* at Breona is at the boat ramp in the shallow Little Lake Bay. After approximately one kilometre, the swim opens up into the main body of the lake.
Between 7-8km, you will pass by Pine Rocks, just east of Reynolds Island, which jut out of the water but sometimes are only just visible. Give these a wide berth!
Then it's a 15km stretch heading south-southwest to Seals Shore before turning the corner into the more protected Haddens Bay for the final 4km.
The exit point is at the boat ramp in Miena.
* For simplicity, the route description assumes a north-south swim.
See map below or click here to view in Maps.
What you should know
The Central Highlands plateau is cold and windy for much of the year.
From late January to early March, the water temperature will be in the 13-16C range, making these few weeks the most likely for a successful swim.
Yingina is shallow, with a maximum depth of only 12 metres, so the water temperature will be affected by the air temperature in the days leading up to your swim. (It is not unusual for this region to have snow in December!)
Being on an exposed plateau, the lake is also very windy. When planning a swim window, be sure to set aside a few days to give yourself the best chance of getting a favourable day. For checking forecasts, look for the weather station at Liawenee on the western shore of the lake.
And if that's not enough, the lake is often shrouded in dense fog early in the morning, restricting visibility and limiting navigation options. The pilot boat needs to be properly equipped for navigating in these conditions.
Before you go
The prevailing wind is from the north so a north-south swim is more likely. This has the added benefit of the swimmer and crew finishing in Miena, which is the main town on the lake and has the best facilities.
Miena is approximately 1.5 hours' drive from Launceston and 2 hours' drive from Hobart. It's a small town but has two hotels providing accommodation (Great Lake Hotel and Central Highlands Lodge) both of which also have restaurants. Caravan sites and camping are also available at the Great Lake Hotel.
There are a number of small towns dotted around the lake, for example at Brandum and Breona. These are mostly settlements of fishing shacks, several of which are available for rent on accommodation sites.
Mobile phone coverage is patchy across the region although the best reception can be found on the Telstra network.
As mobile phone coverage is unreliable, it is recommended to have Starlink or a satellite phone on the pilot boat.
The 'boat ramp' at Breona is a shallow, gravel ramp into a shallow bay. The ramp can be accessed approximately 300m down a gravel road off the Highland Lakes Road. This is not an ideal place to put in a support boat.
A much better option for getting a support boat in or out at the northern end of the lake is the dual lane concrete boat ramp at Brandum. This then entails a 5km boat trip either to the start or from the finish.
The Swan Bay boat ramp near Miena at the southern end of the lake also features a dual lane concrete ramp with a central pontoon.
Honour Roll
Swim # | Name | Date | Time | Country | Route | Category | Type | Notes | Ratified By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ross Youngman | 05/03/2022 | 10:22:05 | Australia | Breona-Miena | Unassisted | Solo | First recorded swim | MSF |
2 | Miu Tanaka | 14/03/2026 | 9:13:44 | Japan | Breona-Miena | Unassisted | Solo | First female | MSA |