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Day walkers on track walking past Crater Lake.
Crater Lake (photograph: Chris Crerar)
60 Great Short Walks

Crater Lake

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Fuel stove only
  • Parking
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • Toilets
  • World Heritage Area

Related PagesExpand/Collapse

    ContactExpand/Collapse

    • Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
      4057 Cradle Mountain Road
      Cradle Mountain TAS 7310
      Phone: 03 6492 1110
      Email: Cradle@parks.tas.gov.au

      ​Visitor Centre opening hours
      Open 7 days, including public holidays​

      8:30am to 4pm mid-May, June, July, August

      8:30am to 4:30pm September

      8am to 4:30pm October

      8am to 5pm November, mid-December

      8am to 5:30pm mid-December, January

      8am to 5pm - February, March, April*

      8am to 4.30pm - April*, mid-May

      ​* First Sunday in April (when daylight savings ends)

      Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus Information​​ 

    2 hour circuit, 5.7km circuit
    Grade 3: Some bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps.
    Supervise children. Tracks are subject to severe weather conditions – weather may change quickly. Tracks are difficult to navigate when covered in snow and may be impassable.
    A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
    The Crater Lake Circuit starts from the Dove Lake carpark at the northern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

    About

    ​​This beautiful walk around a series of delightfully different alpine lakes shows you up close the incredible power of the deep ice and snow that once covered this area. The walk also showcases some fascinating alpine vegetation, and offers walkers a good option for when low cloud and rain are lashing higher tracks.

    The dramatic Crater Lake, half-way point of the 5.7km loop track, is a classic cirque lake, created when glacial snow and ice gouged out a crater-like hollow, that's now filled with water. The smaller lakes, Lake Lilla and Wombat Pool, have their own beauty. Parts of the track are steep.


      Buy a map from TasMap
      ​

      ​Shuttle bus

      The shuttle bus leaves from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and operates seven days a week. A valid Parks Pass is required along with a ticket for the shuttle bus which can be organised at the Visitor Centre.​

      The shuttle bus service is included as part of the Cradle Mountain Day Icon pass and as part of the Overland Track booking fee.​

      The shuttle bus departs from the Visitor Centre stopping at the Ranger Station / Interpretation Centre, then Snake Hill, then Ronny Creek, and finally Dove Lake. The journey one-way (from the Visitor Centre to Dove Lake) is approximately 20 minutes.  ​

      Shuttle bus times are seasonal and subject to change. Road conditions can be affected by weather, which can affect operations times.   Confirm with the Visitor Centre prior to arrival.

      Visit our Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus Information​​ webapge for more information about the shuttle bus route and times.

      Private vehicle access

      Limited private vehicle access and parking for Dove Lake is available outside shuttle bus operating hours. This includes nine private vehicle parking spaces and one disability parking space.

      Campervans, motorhomes, caravans, trailers and similar vehicles are not permitted on Dove Lake Road at any time. Visitors with these types of vehicle will be required to park at the Visitor Centre to use the shuttle bus service to access the park.​

      Private vehicle access is not permitted into the National Park during shuttle bus operating times.​

      For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions:

       Dove Lake Shelter Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 199Kb)


      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.

      ​​​​

      ​​​​​​​​​This is a designated Fuel Stove Only area and campfires are not permitted. Find out more information about the safe use of fuel-stoves in our national parks on the Fuel Stove Only Areas page.

      Road access

      For road closures, please visit Tasmania Police Community Alerts​. For condition advisories, contact the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre on 03 6492 1110.

      All visitors should park at the visitor centre, validate their parks pass and organise a shuttle bus ticket to access the park​

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

      Limited parking is available at Dove Lake, Waldheim & Ronny Creek.

      Visitor Centre and facilities

      The visitor centre 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 9.00 am to 4.00 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.​

      Staying overnight?

      The eight Waldheim Cabins provide simple and affordable lodgings where a number of great walking tracks leaving from your front door.​ Each cabin is equipped with electric heating, single bunk beds, basic cooking utensils, a small refrigerator, crockery, cutlery and a standard electric stove. Tap water at the cabins is not potable. Campervans, motorhomes, caravans, trailers and similar vehicles are not permitted on Dove Lake Road at any time​. Caravans and trailers may be un-hitched and parked in the main carpark at the Cradle Mountain visitor centre. There is an afterhours key collection service available.

      Access to Waldheim Cabins is strongly encouraged outside of shuttle bus operating hours to ensure public safety; however, access will be permitted through the boom gate via authorised “swipe cards” which are programmed for set time periods if access is required during shuttle operating hours. If entering during operating hours, guests must only enter and exit the park with shuttle bus escort. Please speak to Visitor Centre staff on your arrival if entering during shuttle operating hours to receive instruction on how to follow entry and exit procedures.​

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

      Local guide

      This local guide will help you find all the dining, takeaway options and activities to do while you in the Cradle Valley.

       Cradle Mountain local guide (PDF 197Kb)​

      ​

      ​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, Walls of Jerusalem, Southwest)

      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. 

      Watch the hypothermia safety video with English subtitles to understand the dangers of being cold and how to be prepared. (Safety video with Chinese subtitles.)

      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.​​​​​

      ​Remember the safe walking guidelines

      • ​Plan to walk safely
      • Be prepared
      • Avoid walking alone and let someone know your plans
      • Record your trip intentions in the log books 
      • Be prepared to turn back

      Walker safety - day walks​

      ​Even for a short walk on a fine day, carry a light pack with a weatherproof jacket, warm hat, water (1 litre per person for every 3 hours of walking), some high energy food and a first aid kit that includes an emergency space blanket. At the same time, be prepared for bright sunshine—carry a sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Insect repellent can also make your walk more comfortable and be sure to take a rubbish bag and carry your rubbish out with you.

      If your mobile phone has a signal t​​ake it with you. Limit use of your phone to conserve the battery. If your short walk takes you into very remote areas it would be wise to pack extra food and an emergency shelter or tent.

      For full safety information please refer to Safety in parks.