Tasmania, is an immersive, ancient land with unmistakable character, great people and fantastic freshwater fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout.
At the gateway to the World Heritage listed Tasmanian Wilderness, Driftwater is located in Meadner Valley, providing an authentic Driftboat experience and stylish homestead accommodation only 35 minutes from Launceston and easily accessible form Melbourne and Sydney with flights daily.
With its extensive and diverse waterways, clear mountain lakes, pristine rivers and streams it is home to prolific insect hatches and an abundance of Brown, and Rainbow Trout.
Drifting in handcrafted wooden drift boats throughout stunning scenery with a rod in your hand, your journey will be a unique and unforgettable one.
The Meander Valley also offers other activities such as hiking, cycling, golf, a variety of arts and crafts as well as great food and wine. It is perfect for couples, groups and its close proximity to major cities, also makes it a great destination for corporate getaways.
With stunning views over the Meander Valley, Driftwater’s century old homestead, rural setting, and magnificent gardens create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
Providing contemporary accommodation in a stylish, comfortable environment the professional yet relaxed hospitality provided by your hosts Karen and Peter includes and wonderful locally-sourced food and wine. Both qualified guides, they will design a bespoke fly fishing journey to suit your requirements and experience levels.
The accommodation suites offer the choice of queen or single beds with en-suite bathroom, luxury towels, hairdryer, a complete range of toiletries, heating, iPod docking radio alarm clock for those early mornings, tea and coffee making facilities and a safe for your valuables.
A Continental Breakfast is included in your stay comprising home-made muesli and other cereals, poached or fresh fruits – including raspberries from the Driftwater garden in season – and fresh, locally-sourced yoghurt. Toast is served with home-made jams and marmalades (made with fruits from the Driftwood orchards!) when in season.
Cooked breakfast is available on request using local free-range eggs and Meander Valley grown bacon. Lunch for guests can be served by the river or lake and packed as a picnic for our non-fishing guests.
A gourmet two-course dinner is served nightly for those on all inclusive packages or at an additional cost.
Karen has been at the forefront of promoting the joys of fly fishing to women in Australia, providing tuition and workshops in addition to her guiding business at Driftwater. In a female friendly environment, her continual education on entomology, selecting and tying flies, reading the water and understanding Trout habitat provides the perfect platform for women looking to try their hand at fly fishing.
Catering for individuals, couples and small groups for a single day or a whole week, they have it covered. This includes catering for the beginning angler or the more advanced, with all-inclusive accommodation packages.
Whether wading the lowland rivers, polaroiding the highland lakes, targeting mayfly feeders or early morning tailing Trout on traditional bamboo rods, the options are endless.
A full range of fishing equipment is available for your use, including waders, boots, rods, reels and a variety of bamboo fly-rods.
Guided Days
Karen and Peter have two hand-made wooden drift boats, each one accommodating two anglers and one guide. The drift boats have been imported from Montana USA and have been finely hand-crafted using quality American timbers by Jason Cajune of Montana Boatbuilders. These and are possibly the only boats of their kind in Australia. Their fly fishing specific design gives them great stability and an ability to drift quietly even in exceptionally shallow water, making them a joy to fish from. Ideal for covering large expanses of fishable water, the boats are also suited to accommodate those with compromised mobility.
The guiding days can be planned to either use the drift boats or to go wade-fishing on local rivers or up in the Highland Lakes.
Locations
- Mersey River – wade-fishing
- Meander River – wade-fishing
- Four Springs Lake – either half or full day drift with option to do some shore based fishing as well
- Brumby’s Creek – either half or full day drift
- Macquarie River – full day drift
- Highland Lakes can include Penstock Lagoon and Little Pine Lagoon which are both suitable for drifting or any of the 19 Lagoons such as Ada Lagoon and Lake Kay.
A typical day would be from 8:30am through until 6:00pm. However, early mornings and evenings can be arranged depending on the angler’s requirements.
Driftwater have a full range of Simms waders and boots for clients to use and can also supply rain jackets, hats and Polaroids if required. A variety of rods and reels are available for guests use, ranging from Sage 4wt and 6wt, Bamboo and Tenkara outfits.
As per all Fly Odyssey bookings, we will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed pre-trip fly fishing guide prior to your departure.
Driftwater is ideally located in Deloraine, close to the Meander River and many of Tasmania’s great rivers and lakes. It’s ideally located approximately a thirty-five-minute drive from either Launceston airport or Devonport ferry terminal.
Numerous flights are available to Launceston Airport via Melbourne, Sydney or Hobart while you can also get the Spirit of Tasmania overnight ferry from Melbourne to Devonport.
Fly Odyssey can facilitate private airport transfers, accommodation or self-drive itineraries in Tasmania if you wish to extend your stay, including Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Hobart or as part of a multi-destination itinerary throughout Australia.
A minimum six months validity on all passports from date of arrival is required. An Electronic Travel Authority or Tourist Visa Stream is required by residents of eligible countries to enter Australia (excluding New Zealand):
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder
Let us do the groundwork for you.
Our tailored fly fishing and accommodation itineraries are designed with you in mind to suit your preferences. They are also quoted in your local currency with very favourable exchange rates.
This includes flight bookings, transit accommodation, transfers and a host of non-angling activities and experiences.
We specialise in group stays to the region, and our long involvement with our partners on the ground in Tasmania will ensure you are well looked after both on and off the water.
This includes extended stays in Launceston, Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet and the Great Lakes region.
CONTACT OUR AUSTRALIAN OFFICE
- M: +61 (0)499 900816
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Creating and sharing memorable travel experiences with our clients and friends provides us with genuine satisfaction. All of our trips are bespoke, tailored to your needs and we always love hearing all about the adventure on your return.
Our knowledge of travel logistics saves you time, and our highly experienced team is here to ensure its spent on the water and not at the desk or on a long flight connection that you didn’t require. Since 2006 we have developed a valued client-base that has travelled to all corners of the globe.
We are a fully-accredited travel agency, where all of our flights, accommodation and associated travel bookings are done in-house, which means that you pay less. We have access to a huge range of specials, deals, great volume pricing and excellent currency exchange rates which allows us to pass these benefits directly onto you.
On the fishing front, our extensive expertise and experience around prime seasons, species, moon-phases, tides and personalised customer service is centred around one principal – preparation. This includes detailed gear and equipment lists, the fly patterns, transfer details, up-to date fishing reports and some of the finer aspects that can often be overlooked.
We travel extensively and understand that your free-time is important. Just as we all understand from experience, that the key to a successful trip is pre-trip preparation.
Our highly experienced team has fly fished the world for the last 25 years, and we understand the considerations and gear needed to turn a good fly fishing trip into a great one.
Fly fishing and travel is our passion.