A new plaque has been unveiled at Waldheim in Cradle Valley to mark the reunion of Kate Weindorfer's remains with those of her husband, Gustav, more than 110 years after her death. The plaque recognises Kate's role in the shared vision that helped shape the future of Cradle Mountain and its protection for generations to come.
Kate Weindorfer's remains were relocated from the Don Congregational Cemetery in Devonport and laid to rest alongside Gustav's at Waldheim, within what is now the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park and Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). Gustav was buried at Waldheim following his death in 1932, with a stone cairn marking his grave.
The recently unveiled plaque for Kate Weindorfer
The unveiling ceremony was attended by descendants of the Weindorfers, along with friends and supporters. The gathering reflected on Kate's life, her partnership with Gustav, and their long‑standing commitment to protecting Cradle Valley as a place for all people to enjoy.
Kate is recognised as an equal partner in the Weindorfers' conservation efforts. She introduced Gustav to the Cradle Mountain area and used her inheritance to purchase the land in Cradle Valley where they built their forest home, Waldheim. The simple timber hut became a base for welcoming visitors and sharing their vision for the area's natural and scenic values.
Kate died in 1916, only a few years after Waldheim was completed. Her early death meant her contribution was less visible for many years, despite the lasting impact of her support and determination.
Gustav and Kate Weindorfer. Images courtesy of Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Cowle Family Photographs, Peter Sims Collection
In recent years, Kate's great‑great niece, Sue Cox, together with her nephew Michael Carnes and supporters, undertook the complex and lengthy process required to reunite Kate's remains with Gustav's. This involved careful planning and approvals due to the site's location within a national park and the TWWHA.
The unveiling of the plaque marks the Weindorfers' final resting place together and formally acknowledges Kate Weindorfer's equal contribution to the legacy that helped lead to the establishment of the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park in 1922.
Today, visitors to Waldheim can reflect on the shared vision and partnership that played a key role in protecting one of Tasmania's most treasured landscapes.