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Cradle Mountain Travel Guide

North West Tasmania

Overview

The north-west is a glorious pastiche of wild coastlines, picturesque towns and ancient rainforests. Nicknamed the ‘Edge of the World’, the folks here enjoy an enviable frontier lifestyle, with unspoiled natural beauty right at their fingertips.

Cradle Mountain

Tasmania is a treasure trove of visual wonders, but perhaps its crown jewel, the one atop all others, is Cradle Mountain. The peak is a photographer’s dream, rising in dramatic glory above mirror-like Dove Lake. Indeed the park within which it is found, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, is World Heritage Listed, and a trip here is sure to leave an indelible impression.

Attractions

Overland Track

The Overland Track is a holy grail of sorts for bushwalkers, a week-long hike that stretches from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. If you’re up to the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with incomparable views of the surrounding terrain—glacier-sculpted mountain peaks, deep river gorges, lakes, waterfalls and wild alpine moorlands.

Wildlife

A lesser known feature of the Park, but equally as stunning to behold, is its abundance of wildlife—wombats, wallabies, echidnas, quolls and even Tasmanian devils call this gorgeous part of the world home.

Lake St Clair

The deepest lake in Australia is also the headwaters of the Derwent River, upon which the capital city of Tasmania lies. The area surrounding Lake St Clair is a walkers' paradise, with leisurely lakeside strolls and longer forest walks. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area in late spring and summer you’ll be able to witness a brilliant display of wildflowers including waratahs, orchids, banksias and leatherwoods.

Dove Lake Circuit

This 6 km track is one of Tasmania’s most popular walks (and a much less strenuous alternative to the Overland Track!) It encircles majestic Dove Lake, taking you through The Ballroom Forest, before leading you up onto Cradle Mountain. The track is board-walked for much of the way.

Need to know

Accommodation

There are a number of hotels and lodges in the Cradle Mountain area where visitors can enjoy a spot of relaxation after expending their energy in the wilderness. One such lodging is the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, located in the temperate rainforest area that borders the National Park. It’s not unheard of for guests to spot a wombat or a possum while sitting on their balcony or strolling nearby. Cradle Mountain Lodge, praised by Lonely Planet for its quality services, is an excellent choice where you can enjoy a delicious dinner with a view.

Getting there

Cradle Mountain is located two hours’ drive west of Launceston via the National Highway 1. There are regular bus services running between Launceston and Cradle Mountain.