Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers to common questions about our tours, services and planning your Tasmanian adventure.

Where is Miena?

Miena is a small fishing hamlet in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Located next to yingina/Great Lake, Miena is at an altitude of approximately 1100 metres. Sometimes referred to as the heart of Tasmania, this alpine region experiences very cold winters. It is a world class fly fishing mecca. With its close proximity to the rugged West Coast, it is a haven over summer for walkers, campers and fishers.

Where are the Western Lakes?

The Western Lakes are some times referred to as the land of a thousand lakes, as there are easily a thousand tarns in the region, which is ideal for shallow water sight fishing of wild brown trout. Tens of thousands of years ago, this area was an ice cap, and once the ice retreated we have been left with this amazingly unique and beautiful landscape. The Western Lakes area is also part of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park which is part of Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA).

How do you get to Miena?

Miena is just over and hour and half drive from Hobart or slightly over an hour from Launceston. In travel time, it is about half way between Hobart and Cradle Mountain, so a great stop over. There are a number of hotel, lodges and AirBnBs , but be warned as over summer the population increases from 100 people to approximately 2000.

Do I need to book and pay a deposit?

We have invested in the booking engine to make it easier for guests to book directly dependent on their travel requirements. It is very difficult for us to schedule a tour within 48 hours to a week as most of our tours are booked out in advance. The earlier you book, the easier it is for us to manage the scheduling of your experience.

Do you provide gear or do we need to bring our own rods, reels, waders and boots?

If requested we are able to provide gear including rods, reels, waders and boots. Clients should bring appropriate clothing for all weather conditions.

Do we need to pack our own lunches?

Our tours indicate if lunch and refreshments are provided.

Can we bring our own camping gear rather than using what you supply?

Our camping equipment is suited for Tasmania’s weather conditions, but we would be happy to consider a request for you to use your own gear.

How many people are on your tours?

Most of our tours indicate how many people can join, if it’s exclusive, or open for allcomers. If a tour doesn’t meet your needs, let us know and we can see if we can customise the experience for you.

Do you provide our licences?

All park licences or fishing licences are required to be purchased either at the beginning of the tour or beforehand. We provide website details for obtaining fishing licences.

We haven’t experienced fly fishing. Is a tour suitable for beginners?

All fishing tours are customised, so yes we tailor the day for novices, intermediate anglers or experienced fishers.

Are there snakes in Tasmania?

Tasmania’s wilderness is home to one of the most venomous snakes in the world, the Tasmanian Tiger snake. If you are walking in our wilderness, there is a likelihood that you will come across them. Our guides are trained on dealing with snakes, but vigilance is a must.

What if the weather deteriorates on the day?

Our guides have a number of contingency plans for dealing with inclement weather, so stay in touch with us even if snow, or strong winds are forecast, as we have normally considered other options for the tour.

Are we fishing from the shore or from a boat?

We generally plan our guided fishing day based on your preferred option. Sometimes, if the weather is poor, we may not be able to use our boats.

Do we have to be based in Miena, to go on one of your tours?

Our tours vary around the State. If you choose a tour in the Central Highlands, we recommend you base yourself on the Plateau. Arrangements can be made for transfers on the day, but this implies a very long day once you include travelling time.

Are you also Rainbow Lodge Tasmania?

Our business has been operating under a number of business names for the past twenty odd years including Rainbow Lodge Tasmania, Miena Village Guiding and Wildside Tasmania. We now call ourselves Miena Guiding Tasmania.

Do you offer accommodation?

We are not an accommodation provider, we are a tour operator. We do organise accommodation for anyone that requires it, or we can recommend accommodation providers in locations where our tours operate.

Not sure what’s right for you?

Let’s chat — or drop us an email anytime! We’ll help you plan your perfect Tasmanian adventure.