The ultimate travel guide toCradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a four-hour drive from Hobart and a two-hour drive from Launceston. To get to Cradle Mountain itself, the closest carpark is at Dove Lake. However, there is very limited private vehicle access, and you cannot park there during shuttle service hours (8am-6pm October to March, and 9am-5pm April to September). To get there, you can ride the shuttle bus which departs every 15 minutes from the Visitor Centre. The shuttle service costs $15 for an unlimited ticket, valid for 72 hours. Alternatively, there are several walking trails that lead to Cradle Mountain, including routes from Ronny Creek and the Visitor Centre.

The best time to visit Cradle Mountain is between December and March, when the region experiences the least amount of rainfall. The average temperature during summer is around 18°C. In winter, temperatures can drop below zero, with snow being common from July to September, especially at the higher altitudes.

If you’re craving a holiday spent in the Tasmanian wilderness, there are many things to do in Cradle Mountain that fit the bill. It’s no secret that Cradle Mountain is a bushwalker’s paradise. One of the best features of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is its sheer amount of hikes – there’s one to suit every fitness level. We’ve written a guide to the most incredible walks in Cradle Mountain to suit all fitness levels, so you can narrow down your options. Special mention to the Overland Track; the show-stealer takes six days to hike and stretches 65 kilometres from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair.

Not keen on walking trails? Don’t sweat. There are so many things to do in Cradle Mountain that aren’t hiking. Horseback riding, canyoning, and scenic helicopter rides that takes in the jaw-dropping beauty of Cradle Mountain from the air are just a few of the more adventurous activities that have made our list. There are also many indulgent experiences, like blissing out in nature at a spa. And don’t miss out on the chance to see the endangered Tasmanian devils and their closely related spotted-tail and eastern quolls.

From luxury lodges to quirky hotels and hikers’ cabins that are a bit rough around the edges, there’s a Cradle Mountain accommodation to suit every style of travel – you just need to know where to look. With no actual town in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, you’ll find hotels, lodges and cabins scattered around. There are even a number of magical spots to go camping within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park if you really want to immerse yourself in the remote wilderness of Cradle Mountain. On the other end of the spectrum, find luxury spa retreats and resorts hidden up high and surrounded by towering trees. Find all this and more in our guide to the dreamiest accommodation in Cradle Mountain.

If you’re staying in one of Cradle Mountain’s self-contained apartments, take advantage of its kitchen facilities by doing a food shop in the towns of Wynyard, Somerset or Devonport beforehand. Most of the dining spots at Cradle Mountain can be found inside the lodges and resorts, but we’ve written about our top Cradle Mountain restaurant picks to give you an easy guide to reference when hunger strikes while visiting this rugged wilderness in northwest Tasmania.

While Cradle Mountain’s walks can be undertaken on your own, many of them can be done on a guided tour. Cradle Mountain Tours has a full-day tours of the park, departing from Launceston. McDermott’s Coaches also has tours leaving from Launceston. Book its two-day Cradle Mountain Experience, which includes its Night Spotting Tour, where you can get up close and personal with the area’s nocturnal wildlife. Cradle Mountain Helicopters, next to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, organises scenic flights, if you’re interested in taking a tour by air.