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Cradle Mountain autumn fagus
Cradle Mountain fagus (photograph: Anthony Robertson)
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Cradle Mountain
(Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Tasmania’s iconic wilderness destination.

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Access friendly
  • Barbecues
  • Camping
  • Caravan access
  • Food service
  • Huts
  • Overnight walk
  • Park ranger
  • Parking
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • Swimming
  • Toilets
  • Visitor centre
  • World Heritage Area

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About

Iconic Cradle Mountain is a place of exceptional natural beauty in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. From moss-covered ancient rainforests and deep river gorges to snow-covered mountain peaks, wild alpine moorlands and glacial lakes, the park is revered for its diverse and breath-taking landscapes.​

A place for all seasons, discover deep snowdrifts and frozen waterfalls in winter, spectacular displays of yellows, oranges and reds across the mountain slopes in autumn as Tasmania’s deciduous Fagus turns colour, playful young joeys & hungry echidnas emerging in spring, and the fragrance of wildflowers filling the air as you dip your toe into a crystal-clear lake on a summer’s day.

Cradle Mountain is synonymous with nature, wilderness and all things pristine. Wildlife is in abundance in this spectacular national park, giving opportunity to encounter Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats and the highly inquisitive black currawong.

The Park offers a world-class system of walking tracks to explore that ranges from very short easy strolls to the legendary Overland Track​. This 5-6 day hike stretches 80km from Cradle Mountain through to Lake St Clair and is an unforgettable journey through Tasmania’s alpine heart. Even if hiking boots and backpacks aren't your thing, you will find it hard to resist the lure of the well-formed tracks that lead you to surprising discoveries. Whichever way you look at it, the magic of Cradle Mountain is bound to captivate.

You can view the current conditions with our Dove Lake webcam image​.

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​​​​“This must be a National Park for the people for all time." So declared Gustav Weindorfer from the summit of Cradle Mountain in 1910. It is now one of Australia's most famous national parks, protecting a grand glaciated landscape and the wonderful flora and fauna it contains.

The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain frame the icy waters of Dove Lake – together forming a dramatic vista that can be enjoyed as you explore the shores of the lake on foot. The dolerite peak is one of the park's natural hi​ghlights, although the wild weather of the Tasmanian highlands often shrouds the mountain in cloud.

There are a number of excellent walks, including the Dove Lake Circuit, which takes you through the stunning Ballroom Forest – an area of cool temperate rainforest nestled against the slopes of the mountain. Take the short Weindorfers Forest Walk and learn about the fascinating history of the rustic Waldheim Chalet and Gustav Weindorfer, the founding father of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. In this beautiful setting, you will quickly understand why Gustav dedicated his life to ensuring the preservation of this area.

This famous Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area​ national park has two widely-separated visitor access points: Cradle Mountain in the north of the park and Lake St Clair​ in the south. There is no direct road link through the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park to join the two ends of the park.

​​The Cradle Mountain region is an area of marked geological contrasts, shaped by glacial erosion and deposition over the past two million years. The various glaciers that covered the area have left behind a variety of glacial features, including the valley of the Dove River, and numerous lakes and tarns.

Cradle Mountain comprises a diverse mosaic of vegetation communities, from rainforest to buttongrass moorlands. The area contains ancient plants of Gondwanan origins, including long-lived endemic conifers such as the King Billy pine, pencil pine and celery-top pine, as well as Tasmania's deciduous beech (fagus​) , which colours the hillsides each autumn.

The area's Gondwanan heritage is further revealed through the existence of species such as velvet worms, fish in the family Galaxiidae, aquatic insects and crustaceans. Other invertebrates, such as the pencil pine moth, reveal even more ancient links to the super-continent Pangea.

Cradle Mountain contains a wide range of habitats and is home to some of the world's largest carnivorous marsupials – the Tasmanian devil, spotted-tailed quoll and eastern quoll – as well as wombats, platypus and echidna.

For more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife.

Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals.

Tasmanian Aboriginal people have been living within the Cradle Mountain area for more than 3 ​000 years. They hunted game and collected food plants with bone, stone and timber tools. There are numerous living sites within this rich cultural landscape that ​demonstrate continuing human occupation at high southern latitudes during the last ice age. They are testimony to the adaptation and survival of human societies to glacial climatic cycles and periods of long isolation from other communities. Today's Aboriginal community continue to have a strong connection to this cultural landscape.

From the 1820s to the park's declaration as a reserve in 1922, these Aboriginal homelands were visited by explorers, prospectors, trappers, hunters, timber getters and graziers. Proposals for the area varied from large mines and railways, to farms and plantations.

However, it was the vision of Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer and his wife Kate which ultimately led to Cradle Mountain being declared a national park. In 1912, the Weindorfers built a rustic home and guest chalet, 'Waldheim', at Cradle Valley. Weindorfer and a small group of ardent supporters campaigned to have the area preserved and in May 1922 an area of 63 943 hectares was gazetted as Scenic Reserve.

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park became a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in 1982.

Buy a map from TasMap

​Cradle Mountain is located at the northern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It is 1.5 hours drive from Devonport and 2.5 hours drive from Launceston via Sheffield. From Sheffield, take the C136 and C132 to the park entrance.

There is no direct road link through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park to join the two ends of the park.​​

The Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Transit Terminal is the departure point for the Dove Lake shuttle bus. The shuttle bus service aims to protect the important values of the World Heritage Area and preserve the visitor experience by limiting vehicle numbers in the park. 

A valid shuttle bus service ticket is required prior to boarding the Dove Lake shuttle bus. To obtain a shuttle bus ticket please present your valid National Parks Pass to Parks and Wildlife staff in the visitor centre. The shuttle service operates seven days a week, free of charge. 

Visitors are advised that private vehicle access between the visitor centre and Dove Lake (along Dove Lake Road) is not permitted during shuttle bus operating ​times.

A new fleet of larger hybrid diesel/electric shuttle buses have been introduced to increase carrying capacity and meet Disability Discrimination Act 1992 legislation for public transport at Cradle Mountain.

The restriction for private vehicles will generally occur between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm each day over winter (1 April to 30 September); and 8:00am to 6:00pm over summer (1 October to 31 March).

Visitors wanting to drive to Dove Lake in their private vehicle may enter the park before or after shuttle bus operating hours for that purpose, although all visitors are strongly encouraged to use the shuttle bus service.

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

For all snow and road closure or condition advisories, contact the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre on 03 6492 1110.

It is strongly advised that all visitors park at the visitor centre, validate their parks pass and take the shuttle bus service into the park. 

Vehicle access into the park is only permitted outside of shuttle bus operating hours. 

Limited parking is available at Waldheim & Ronny Creek.

The visitor centre is open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm (hours are extended during peak periods) and provides information on walks and other activities in the area, as well as sales of parks passes and a range of souvenirs. The Overland Track check-in counter is located inside the visitor centre.

The Cradle Mountain Interpretation Centre and Rangers Station is located just inside the national park entrance and features informative displays and an art gallery. The centre is open daily from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (hours are extended during peak periods). 

Picnic shelters with electric barbecues are adjacent the interpretation centre and rangers s​tation. There are also picnic tables at Waldheim, Ronny Creek and Dove Lake. Food service is available at Cradle Mountain Café and Hotel, Cradle Mountain Lodge and Wilderness Village. Basic grocery items are available at the Discovery Holiday Parks reception.  

A 24 hour self-service fuel bowser is available for use by visitors, accepted payment methods are credit/debit cards only. Please note that fuel may not be available at all times. For further information regarding fuel, please enquire at the Cradle Mountain Café located opposite the Visitor Centre within the courtyard.​​

Recreational use of drones​ is not permitted in national parks and other reserves managed by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.

​For accommodation options in the Cradle Mountain area, see the Discover Tasmania website​.

​

Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our Know before you go section.

​​​Walker safety - alpine walks ​​​​​​ (such as Cradle Mountain, Frenchmans Cap and Walls of Jerusalem)

Weather conditions in Tasmania can change quickly and frequently, especially in alpine areas. Snow, rain, wind and sun are all possible at any time of the year, and bushfires can occur between October and March. 

When visiting alpine areas you should include at a minimum, in addition to your basic walking gear, a waterproof jacket with hood and storm front (seam sealed and breathable fabric, Gore-Tex or similar), waterproof over trousers (seam sealed and breathable fabric​​, Gore-Tex or similar), sturdy walking boots and warm clothing (a fleece or woollen jumper, thermal base layers, hat and gloves).

Deaths have occurred when people have been caught unprepared in cold, wet and windy weather. Children, older people and those with an illness or disability are at the greatest risk in such conditions.

Please observe all track signs – they are provided for your safety. Stay on the formed walking tracks at all times – both for your own safety and to protect the sensitive alpine region.

For more information on pack items and safety, please see Safety in parks.​​​​​
​

​​​​​At the entrance to the national park there is an excellent, fully accessible visitor centre and toilets. The Rainforest Walk, starting at the visitor centre, is all-weather boardwalk and suitable for most independent wheelchair users. The Enchanted Walk, starting about 30 metres along the road before the visitor centre, is a very easy walk for all ages. The first half of this walk is sealed and wheelchair accessible, but after the bridge there are a number of steps. There are two accessible picnic areas located next to the visitor centre, both with sheltered picnic tables and BBQs. 

There are also accessible toilets located at the Dove Lake carpark.

A TrailRider (all-terrain wheelchair) is available at Cradle Mountain for visitors with impaired mobility. This enables greater access to the National Park and provides more opportunity to discover all Cradle Mountain has to offer. The TrailRider ​can be used on a range of designated walking tracks within the National Park that are not accessible to conventional wheelchairs. A minimum of two reasonably fit operators are required to assist the rider on easier graded walks, with more needed for difficult tracks. 

The TrailRider​ is available for free hire although bookings must be made 7 days in advance. 

Contact the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre for bookings​.​

 ​

Cradle Mountain webcam

Webcam from Dove Lake carpark looking towards Cradle Mountain, image captured: 27/02/2020 2:06:46 PM

Experiences in Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

8 hrs return, 12.8km, 600m climb in elevation. Walk includes crossing large rocks, Grade 4

A challenging track to the summit of the picturesque Cradle Mountain.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Cradle Summit

A challenging track to the summit of the picturesque Cradle Mountain.

8 hrs return, 12.8km, 600m climb in elevation. Walk includes crossing large rocks, Grade 4
Read more
2 hour circuit, 5.7km circuit, Grade 3

Explore a series of delightfully different alpine lakes. A better option for days when the higher altitude tracks are being lashed by cold winds and heavy rain.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Crater Lake

Explore a series of delightfully different alpine lakes. A better option for days when the higher altitude tracks are being lashed by cold winds and heavy rain.

2 hour circuit, 5.7km circuit, Grade 3
Read more
2-3 hour circuit, 6km circuit, Grade 3

A great introductory walk to the park. Enjoy iconic views of Cradle Mountain and walk through the tranquil Ballroom Forest on one of Tasmania’s premier short walks.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Dove Lake

A great introductory walk to the park. Enjoy iconic views of Cradle Mountain and walk through the tranquil Ballroom Forest on one of Tasmania’s premier short walks.

2-3 hour circuit, 6km circuit, Grade 3
Read more
20 minute circuit, 1.1km circuit, Grade 2

A walk to suit all age groups—featuring a cascading river and magical old-growth rainforest.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Enchanted Walk

A walk to suit all age groups—featuring a cascading river and magical old-growth rainforest.

20 minute circuit, 1.1km circuit, Grade 2
Read more
Horse riding, Bakers beach Narawntapu

Explore sites around Tasmania where you can experience our wilderness on horseback.

Hobart and South, Launceston and North, North West

Horse riding

Explore sites around Tasmania where you can experience our wilderness on horseback.

Read more
Walkers at Lake Windermere, Overland Track

1 current alerts

6 days one way, 65km one way, Grade 4

The Overland Track is Australia’s premier alpine walk – a 65 km, six-day trek through the heart of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of the magnificent Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Overland Track

1 current alerts

The Overland Track is Australia’s premier alpine walk – a 65 km, six-day trek through the heart of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of the magnificent Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

6 days one way, 65km one way, Grade 4
Read more
10 minute circuit, 431m, Grade 1

Take a short, easy stroll through the rainforest.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Pencil Pine Falls and Rainforest walk

Take a short, easy stroll through the rainforest.

10 minute circuit, 431m, Grade 1
Read more
Group rafting on the Franklin River

Tasmania’s oceans and rivers have a well-deserved reputation as some of the cleanest in the world, and what better way to explore these wondrous waterways than up-close and self-propelled.

Statewide

Rafting and kayaking

Tasmania’s oceans and rivers have a well-deserved reputation as some of the cleanest in the world, and what better way to explore these wondrous waterways than up-close and self-propelled.

Read more
20m, 100m, Grade 1

Uncover the colourful history of the Weindorfers.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Waldheim Chalet

Uncover the colourful history of the Weindorfers.

20m, 100m, Grade 1
Read more
Wedding at Highfield Historic Site

There are a number of locations around the state that offer a unique setting for your wedding ceremony.

East coast, Hobart and South, Launceston and North, North West

Weddings

There are a number of locations around the state that offer a unique setting for your wedding ceremony.

Read more
20 minute circuit, 750m circuit, Grade 2

Catch a glimpse back in time at the life of the Weindorfers.

Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park)

Weindorfers Forest Walk

Catch a glimpse back in time at the life of the Weindorfers.

20 minute circuit, 750m circuit, Grade 2
Read more

Accommodation

Stay Overnight

  • Cradle Mountain Waldheim Cabins

Rustic cabins offering an authentic wilderness experience.

Bookings and more info

Cradle Mountain Waldheim Cabins