Discover Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain lies in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). The area offers several specific ways to experience nature: views of Cradle Mountain, the tranquil Ballroom Forest, opportunities to spot wildlife, and hikes such as the multi-day Overland Track. This lets you tailor your trip to your own interests.

Wildlife and forest brought to life

The national park near Cradle Mountain offers the chance to spot Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypuses, echidnas, wombats and black currawongs. These species give the destination’s natural environment several specific points of interest; it is not just about mountain views or a single hike. The Dove Lake walk offers views of Cradle Mountain and passes through the tranquil Ballroom Forest. The mountain and forest are both part of the experience on this walk.

When planning together with children, the names of the animals offer vivid conversation starters: Which species are you especially interested in, and are you also drawn to a walk through forest and scenery, as well as wildlife watching? This lets you consider wildlife watching and scenic views as distinct highlights. The Dove Lake walk complements the wildlife experience with a specific hike featuring mountain views and a stretch through the forest.

Finding your way between the Visitor Centre and Dove Lake

The Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus departs from the Visitor Centre and stops at the Interpretation Centre and Ranger Station, Snake Hill, Ronny Creek and Dove Lake. This gives you several named stops to use as points of reference when planning around the different interests on offer. As you consider which experiences you want to shape your stay, these stops can provide a concrete framework for making your choices.

The Cradle Mountain Interpretation Centre and Rangers Station features informative exhibitions and an art gallery. This adds a cultural perspective to the experiences available in the area. If you would like your trip to include more than wildlife watching and hiking, you can include the exhibitions and gallery as distinct interests in your travel plans.

Hiking: the Dove Lake walk and Overland Track

The two hiking experiences offer different highlights. The Dove Lake walk is known for its views of Cradle Mountain and its route through the Ballroom Forest. The Overland Track is an 80 km hike from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair and takes five to six days. Its distance, duration and endpoints provide a clear framework for planning this multi-day trek.

If you would like to devote a longer part of your trip to hiking, the Overland Track is a multi-day undertaking with a clearly specified route. The Dove Lake walk, by contrast, combines mountain views with a stretch through the forest. When choosing the scope of your trip, it helps to distinguish between these different highlights: would you like to focus on a specific scenic experience, or are you planning to spend several days hiking from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair?

Tailor your stay to your interests

The Cradle Mountain Gateway Village Precinct is the area’s visitor and service hub. This point of reference can help you find your way when planning your stay.

The visitor and service hub provides a named point of reference in the area; your priorities determine which of the nature, cultural and hiking experiences described are especially important to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Moorina, Mount Stuart, Cranbrook, Lebrina, Weldborough, Ulverstone, Gravelly Beach.

Back to the main travel overview: Tasmania.