Cradle Mountain is an iconic beauty in the centre of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Renowned for its nature and wilderness, with dramatic mountain peaks, rainforests, glacial lakes, and grasslands. It is one of Australia's most popular national parks admired for its distinct landscape, world-class hikes, stunning flora and fauna and unique wildlife experiences.
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Cradle Mountain is the heart of Tasmania, Australia, approximately 165 kilometres northwest of the capital Hobart. It's one of the last few natural wilderness areas well-known for the Overland Track; a six-day hike that spans 65 kilometres from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. This hike takes you on an amazing journey of discovery through unforgettable alpine landscapes. Along the way, you'll be sure to encounter Australian wildlife such as Tasmanian devils, platypus, echidna, and wombats.
The main features of Cradle Mountain are Barn Bluff, Echo Point, Mount Ossa (the highest peak in Tasmania with a height of 1617 metres) and Lake St Clair. The stunning Lake St Clair is at the southern end of Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park and covers 45 square kilometres, with a maximum depth of 160 metres, making it Australia's deepest lake.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair is a paradise for nature lovers and walkers. There are various activities, from hiking to getting up close with Tasmanian devils and exploring the park from a different vantage point; either on horseback or from the air in a helicopter.
Cradle Mountain is hiking heaven, whether you're looking for a short morning hike or a multi-day adventure. An easy and quick family hike is the Weindorfers Forest Walk which starts at Waldheim Chalet and offers a look into the life of the Weindorfers who were historically important in this area. For magnificent views of Cradle Mountain, start at Dove Lake and embark on a three-hour hike of the Dove Lake Circuit passing grasslands and lush forest. The Crater Lake hike is another option for a short walk (two hours) exploring different glacial lakes.
The Overland Track is considered one of Australia's prime alpine walks. Be prepared for a challenging six-day adventure. A good level of fitness is recommended because the track is long and in some places steep. Although the track is physically demanding it is also life-changing: You will intimately discover a spectacular landscape of waterfalls, valleys, forests and meadows.
If you enjoy long hikes but don't have enough time for the Overland Track, great alternatives are the Cradle Summit or Marions Lookout hikes. On the Cradle Summit hike, you will spend the day climbing 600 metres in elevation and navigating a rocky track to the summit of picturesque mountain ranges. The views are incredible and well worth the formidable hike. Marions Lookout is a 10-kilometre track leading to the peak of Cradle Mountain Summit with incredible views of Dove Lake below.
Do you dare to brave the dark? Much of the local wildlife at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is active at night. The best way to spot them is with a guided night walk where the bright eyes of wombats, pademelons, quolls and wallabies will dart along the path.
Tasmanian Fagus trees are among a few native deciduous trees in Australia. See nature's paintbrush turn the meadows and fields into a riot of autumn colour at Dove Lake and Crater Lake. When the leaves turn orange the entire landscape is transformed into a breathtaking autumn painting.
The easiest way to get to the two main entrances of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is by car. There is an entrance in the north and the south of the park. The northern entrance is a 2.5-hour drive from Launceston, and the southern entrance is a 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. It is important to bear in mind that there is no direct link that connects the northern and southern entrances.
The best place to park is at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. There is a shuttle bus within the park that operates daily between 8 am and 6 pm during summer and 9 am to 5 pm during winter.
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