Blue outline of Tasmania with text promoting the Tasmanian Wild West Series and mentioning rivers, lakes, and a mythical figure with a trident.
A graphic of Tasmania with text promoting the Gordon River Challenge, including hashtags like #ISWIMHAPPY and references to The Last Wild Swim Tasmania.
A graphic with a map outline of Tasmania in dark blue, featuring a dolphin silhouette and a lighthouse. Text reads: 'Hobart to Iron Pot Tasmania', 'Iron Pot Challenge', and '#ISWIMHAPPY'.
Map of Tasmania with text 'In Search of the Lost Lake Tasmania, Lake Pedder Challenge #ISWIHM Happy' and a small illustration of a mountain and water.

tasmanian wild west series

your chance to complete

tasmanian trident‍ ‍

in one go

2027
February 22 - march 3

2028
February 28 - March 8
March 13 - 22


4 spots only (1 spots left)

4 spots available in each adventure

For the truly dedicated open water swimmer, Tasmanian Wild West Series offers an extraordinary and challenging 10 - day adventure. This well organised adventure promises a deep dive into Tasmania's most remote and breathtaking aquatic landscapes. You don't need to worry about a thing—everything is taken care of. Val&Co have meticulously...ish planned every detail of this unforgettable journey. We keep our groups small, with a maximum of four swimmers per tour, ensuring a personalised and supportive experience.

The series comprises three epic swims, each with its unique character and a history of pioneering achievements:

The Gordon River presents a 23.5km odyssey from St. Johns Falls to Heritage Landing. This pristine waterway, flowing through ancient World Heritage-listed rainforest, offers an unparalleled immersion in raw wilderness. The water is often cold and dark, reflecting the towering Huon pines that line its banks. This challenging swim has seen only two recorded finishers: Val Kalmikovs, who completed it on February 23, 2024 and Amy Gubser, who swam the whole length on March 11, 2026.

Next, the 21 km swim on Lake Pedder invites swimmers to navigate its "Scotland-like" expanses, weaving through islands amidst rugged ranges. While Lake Pedder is now a vast impoundment, it retains a wild and serene beauty. This specific course, designed to truly capture the lake's unique features, remains an untamed frontier in open water swimming – only 4 swimmers have officially completed it.

Finally, the 22.5km journey from the Tasman Bridge to the Iron Pot Lighthouse offers a dynamic course from urban fringes to the wild Southern Ocean. This iconic swim has been successfully completed by at least five individuals, including Rod Watkins who was the first recorded solo swimmer on February 12, 2022 and less than 20 successful swims has been recorded.

Tasmanian Wild West Series is more than just an adventure; it's an intimate connection with Tasmania's untamed heart, designed for those who seek the ultimate challenge in open water amidst unparalleled natural beauty.

Contact us for more
A serene beach with gentle waves lapping against the sandy shore, lined by a rocky coastline and dense forest of trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Sailboats docked at a marina with a rainbow arching over mountains in the background.
Interior of a restaurant or lounge with leather couches and a wooden coffee table, large windows showing a scenic view of a lake with mountains in the background, and outdoor seating on a patio with tables and chairs.
A white motorboat on a lake with grassy shoreline and forested hills in the background, under a dark cloudy sky.
A white lighthouse with a red top on a rocky cliff by the ocean under cloudy skies, with mountains in the background.
A peaceful river scene with two boats sailing through calm waters, surrounded by lush green trees and misty mountains in the background.
Boats in a harbor with a bridge and hills in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.
A person swimming in a lake with mountains and trees in the background, while a camera mounted on a pole captures the scene in the foreground.
A river with a bridge crossing over it, surrounded by trees and hills under a partly cloudy sky.
Swimmer in open water near a bridge with a city and hills in the background on a cloudy day.
Fireworks display over a body of water at night, with city lights in the background.
A small waterfall in a lush, green forest with ferns and moss-covered rocks.
Rocky coastline with tall, steep cliffs and a choppy ocean in front.
An aerial view of a large dam with water flowing over the top, surrounded by mountains and a river, with mist and clouds in the sky and the sun shining through.
A sailboat with its sails partially raised on a calm body of water, with a densely built hillside in the background
Swimmer wearing a pink cap and goggles swimming in a river with misty hills in the background.
Aerial view of a winding river surrounded by lush green forested hills and mountains.
Landscape view of a lake with surrounding forested hills and a cloudy sky.
Two people swimming in dark water near a rocky shoreline, with a lighthouse on a small hill and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A river flowing through a lush green forest with mountains in the background and cloudy skies.
A river winding through a deep, forested canyon with a boat and kayakers on the water, surrounded by lush green mountains.
An aerial view of a river winding through a dense green forest in a mountainous region with cloudy skies overhead.
City skyline along the waterfront with a mountain in the background.