Cradle Mountain stands to the north of Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania's most famous wilderness area. This World Heritage park covers 1262 square kilometres, taking in deep gorges, steep mountain peaks, icy streams, glacial lakes, sweeping moors of buttongrass and tarns. The park includes both Tasmania's highest peak - Mt Ossa (1617m), and Australia's deepest glacial lake - Lake St Clair.
The area owes its preservation status to the park's founder, Gustav Weindorfer. His restored chalet, originally built in 1912, stands today as a memorial to his affection and dedication to this wild and beautiful area.
Cradle Mountain can be reached by road from a turn-off along the Murchison Highway and takes about 90 minutes from Devonport. There is a range of accommodation at the entrance to the park, from camping to world-class cabin and hotel lodgings.
Cradle Mountain has a range of short or longs walks on offer. Bushwalkers will be rewarded with spectacular scenery, birdlife, wildflowers and bracing air. Being an alpine region, you should be prepared for sudden weather changes - which can go from sunny and warm to cold and wet within minutes.
Things to do:
- Visitors Centre & Park Shop - located near the park entrance. Displays, information, videos and reference books and clothing. Open from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
- Day visitor facilities - shelters can be found near the Visitors Centre and groceries can be purchased at Cradle Mountain Lodge Store.
- Ranger-led activities - during summer season, walks and slide shows for children and adults
- Visitors Centre Rainforest Walk - a 0.5 km circular boardwalk through rainforest to Pencil Pines Falls. Easy walking for prams and wheelchairs.
- Weidorfers Forest Walk - a 20 minute walk that begins at Waldheim Chalet through a forest of celery-top pines, King Billy pines and myrtles.
- Enchanted Walk - begins at the park's entrance and traverses pools, waterfalls, rainforest and moorland.
- Dove Lake Loop Walk - a popular, circular walk around Dove Lake through pandanus and the temperate rainforest environment called the Ballroom Forest. The boatshed is a pleasant rest spot.
- Day walks - information on day walks are available at the Visitors Centre.
- Overland Track - the keen walker can begin the famous 85 km walk along the Overland Track here. There are huts along the track on a first-come first-served basis, though many walkers prefer to carry their own tent.
In the area:
- Flights - 25 minute flights over Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff are available.
