Cradle Mountain things to do
Cradle Mountain is the most popular place to visit in Tasmania. Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most popular wilderness areas, with snow-capped peaks, sparkling glacial lakes and wild alpine moors just waiting to be explored. It boasts an outstanding network of hiking trails, from 10-minute strolls to multi-day treks that will immerse you in its natural beauty. Even if hiking isn’t your thing, Cradle Mountain captivates with its wildlife encounters, world-class dining and fascinating human history. Whether you want to see wombats in their natural habitat, indulge at an alpine spa or scale one of Tasmania’s most iconic peaks, there’s something for everyone.
Cradle Mountain Viewing
Spectacular views of Cradle Mountain are on offer from the shores of Dove Lake, which is the starting point for several walks in the park. For a different perspective of its jagged peak, there is a wide choice of both short and long trails listed below that cater to hikers of all experience levels.
While there is limited parking available at Dove Lake, a shuttle bus connects here from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Transit Terminal and is included with your National Parks Pass.
Cradle Mountain Wildlife
A highlight of visiting Cradle Mountain National Park is coming face-to-face with its native wildlife, including pademelons, echidnas and wombats. These short-legged marsupials can often be seen grazing around Cradle Mountain Lodge and the Interpretation Centre, with dusk one of the best times to see them. Tasmanian devils and platypus also inhabit the park, although they are much more elusive.
Cradle Mountain National Park has been identified as an Important Bird Area as it provides habitat for a number of endemic species. Bird watchers should keep their eyes peeled for green rosellas, pink robins and black currawongs, as well as yellow-tailed black cockatoos. Wedge-tailed eagles are also known to nest in the park’s cliffs.
If you’re exploring the park’s trails in the warmer months, keep an eye out for tiger snakes, which are highly venomous.
Devils@Cradle
Located at the entrance to Cradle Mountain National Park is the Devils@Cradle wildlife sanctuary that focuses primarily on conserving the Tasmanian devil. But it’s also home to spotted-tail and eastern quolls, which are also threatened in the wild. While exploring the sanctuary, you can learn about the facial tumour disease that is threatening the Tasmanian devil’s survival while seeing these unique creatures up close. The park also runs after-dark feeding tours to see the devils when they are at their most active.
Indoor attractions
Cradle Mountain Interpretation Centre
Around two kilometres from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre is this ranger’s station where you can learn about the history, culture and activities of Cradle Mountain. Warm up beside the cosy log fire or chat with the friendly staff about recommended walks and/or current hiking conditions. Many of Cradle Mountain’s short walks depart from the Interpretation Centre.
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery
The 12-room Wilderness Gallery houses changing exhibitions and art installations that celebrate Tasmania’s wilderness and island stories. While many of the works are produced by local artists, others are by individuals who have been impacted by the state’s natural beauty.
Cradle Mountain Spa
Waldheim Alpine Spa forming part of Cradle Mountain Lodge, this indulgent spa is surrounded by King Billy pines and the tranquil sound of mountain streams. Its trained masseuses and beauty professionals offer a range of treatments inspired by the pure and pristine setting.
Cradle Mountain Dining
There are plenty of places to dine in and around Cradle Mountain National Park, including a relaxed cafe at the Interpretation Centre that is open for lunch and snacks. At Cradle Mountain Hotel, you can dine on seasonal fare in the Altitude Restaurant or head to the Cradle Mountain Village’s Hellyers Restaurant, which specialises in locally sourced produce. Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge boasts two dining options for guests and non-guests alike. Bistro-style meals are served at the rustic Tavern Bar & Bistro while fine dining is the focus of the Highland Restaurant.
Cradle Mountain Flora
Between 40 and 55 percent of Cradle Mountain’s alpine flora is endemic to the region and its diversity is partly due to the lack of forest fires that have impacted neighbouring areas. Aside from alpine heaths and grasslands, you’ll discover ancient rainforests dominated by deciduous beech, myrtle, sassafras and King Billy pines. In summer and spring, the park’s wildflowers ignite in colour, with the waratahs, banksias and hakeas particularly impressive.
Cradle Mountain History
For more than 35,000 years, Tasmanian Aboriginal people hunted game and collected food plants in the area that is now Cradle Mountain National Park, with several sites illustrating their connection to this cultural landscape. From the 1820s, European explorers, graziers, hunters and prospectors began visiting the region. Fur trappers worked in the area from the 1860s and Cradle Mountain’s King Billy pines were logged until the 1910s.
Influential in protecting the landscape were Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer and his wife, Kate, who built a rustic home, “Waldheim”, in the Cradle Valley. The Weindorfers and their supporters campaigned to preserve the area and were rewarded for their efforts in 1922 when 63,943 hectares were set aside as a scenic reserve. Cradle Mountain became a wildlife reserve in 1927 and a national park in 1947 before being designated as part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in 1982.
Following its protection, many of the area’s former trappers built huts and began guiding bushwalkers through the region. Among them was Bert Nichols who blazed the Overland Track to Lake St Clair in 1931.
Cradle Mountain Walks
Enchanted Walk
Distance: 1.2 km | Time: 30 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre
Meandering through clumps of button grass and bearded trees on the banks of the Pencil Pine River, this easy stroll offers an introduction to Cradle Mountain’s diverse vegetation. It takes you through mossy myrtle forests and eucalypt woodlands where wombats can often be spotted.
King Billy Track
Distance: 2 km | Time: 40 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre
Cradle Mountain is home to majestic King Billy pines (once sought after for their timber), many of which are thought to be 1,500 years old. This easy walk takes you through an old-growth temperate rainforest dominated by myrtles and sassafras, as well as some of the park’s most impressive King Billy specimens.
Marion’s Lookout
Distance: 7.5 km | Time: 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake
For some of the best views in Cradle Mountain National Park, follow this steeply ascending trail up to Marion’s Lookout. It’s important to come prepared as it can be very windy at the summit and can quickly become shrouded in fog. The Marion’s Lookout trail branches off from the Dove Lake Circuit, which can be walked in either direction.
Cradle Valley Boardwalk
Distance: 6 km | Time: 2 to 3 hours | Start: Interpretation Centre
Weaving through golden grasslands and offering magnificent views across the park, this boardwalk trail takes you past Ronny Creek and Lake Lilla before ending at Dove Lake. Most trekkers begin at the Interpretation Centre as the trail descends slightly for most of the way, although it’s just as spectacular going in the opposite direction.
Rainforest Walk
Distance: 450 metres | Time: 10 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre
This easy 10-minute stroll leads from the Interpretation Centre through a cool temperate rainforest of pencil pines and myrtle before arriving at a viewpoint overlooking Pencil Pine Falls.
Hanson’s Peak
Distance: 5 km | Time: 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake
Offering fantastic views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, Hanson’s Peak lies directly across the water from Marion’s Lookout. While the climb to the peak is steep, it’s not particularly long. Be aware that the weather is highly changeable, so come prepared for all conditions.
Waterfalls Walk
Distance: 1.5km | Time: 30-40 minutes | Start: Interpretation Centre
Taking in two of Cradle Mountain’s most accessible waterfalls (Pencil Pine Falls and Knyvet Falls), this easy trail begins along the Dove Canyon Track. You can take a refreshing dip at the base of Pencil Pine Falls before continuing along the boardwalk to Knyvet Falls, which is particularly impressive after periods of heavy rain.
Speeler Track
Distance: 2.5 km | Time: 1.5 hours | Start: Interpretation Centre
Beginning along the same trail as the King Billy Track, this easy walk offers regular sightings of wombats, wallabies and echidnas. You’ll experience Cradle Mountain’s cool temperate rainforests and button grass plains, with glimpses of the Cradle Valley along the way.
Dove Canyon Track
Distance: 6 km | Time: 3 hours | Start: Interpretation Centre
Taking in waterfalls, temperate rainforests and a little rock scrambling, the Dove Canyon Track will introduce you to many features of the park in just a few hours. Follow the banks of the Pencil Pine River before climbing to the top of Dove Canyon for striking views of Cradle Mountain.
Dove Lake Circuit Walk
Distance: 6 km | Time: 2 to 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake
One of Cradle Mountain’s most popular walks, this easy trail hugs the lake shores while offering stunning views of Cradle Mountain. It weaves between temperate rainforests and sub-alpine plant communities, with the option to detour up to Marion’s Lookout for those wanting more of a challenge.
Crater Lake Circuit
Distance: 5.7 km | Time: 3 hours | Start: Dove Lake
Taking in several alpine lakes, this often-overlooked walk meanders through magical forests dominated by pandani and sassafras trees. Halfway along the route lies dramatic Crater Lake, which is surrounded by 200-metre-high cliffs blanketed with fagus.
Cradle Summit
Distance: 12.8 km | Time: 8 hours | Start: Dove Lake or Ronny’s Creek
This long and sometimes difficult trail takes you to the summit of the park’s namesake peak, with the rewards being stunning panoramas across the surrounding mountains and lakes. While it’s one to tick off your bucket list, the trail should not be attempted in rainy, windy or snowy weather. Check with staff at the Interpretation Centre before heading off.
Overland Track
Distance: 65 km | Time: 6 days | Start: Ronny’s Creek
Cradle Mountain’s most famed hiking trail is the multi-day Overland Track, which takes you through some of the park’s most breathtaking wilderness. Bookings are essential and hikers are required to carry all of their food and equipment in and out. Aside from the overnight huts that dot the route, you’ll also find several detours that are worth exploring. The track ends on the shores of beautiful Lake St. Clair, with a ferry transporting you the final stretch to the park headquarters.
Waldheim Chalet
Nestled in the majestic Cradle Valley is this historic chalet, which was built in 1912 by Gustav and Kate Weindorfer. It was used for accommodation until 1974 when it was damaged during a fire and a replica was constructed using traditional bush carpentry. It now houses an audio-visual display that details the lives of the Weindorfers, who played an important role in the preservation of the are.