When is the best time to visit Cradle Mountain?

Cradle Mountain is known for its stunning natural scenery and each season presents a different way of exploring the landscape. While there might not be a specific 'best' time to travel to this spectacular region, some seasons are more appropriate than others depending on the things you want to do and what kind of holiday you want to have.

Cradle Mountain enjoys four very distinct seasons but overall the weather is considered to be quite mild with little to no extreme temperatures (either hot or cold) throughout the year.

Summer in Cradle Mountain

Best for: hiking & walking, bike riding, canyoning, canoeing

While the months of summer see the sunniest days out of any season throughout the year, its weather patterns can also be extremely unpredictable with rain and high winds also expected. You're more likely to enjoy the best weather during January and February with average temperatures around 20°C - 25°C. February is also the driest month so it's unlikely to experience that much rain.

This is the best season to explore the great outdoors with numerous landscapes in Cradle Mountain coming to life. While the temperatures aren't likely to reach truly hot levels, you should always be prepared with a reusable drink bottle and sun protection close by if you're planning on tackling some of the more challenging tracks.

Autumn in Cradle Moutain

Best for: fishing, hiking, exploring the landscape's changing colours

The start of Autumn also sees really sunny and nice weather with March still reaching temperatures in the mid-20s. Towards the end of Autumn expect to see more rainy days but that doesn't mean you have to stay inside. Cradle Mountain's natural beauty is on full display during Autumn with the wilderness turning from bright and green to moody and orange-y/brown. If you're embarking on one of Cradle Mountain's famous walks, then you're in for a treat with Tasmania's deciduous tree, the Fagus, changing the colour of its leaves before dropping and covering the forest floor.

Winter in Cradle Mountain

Best for: admiring the snowy landscapes, dining at world-class restaurants, whisky tasting

Winter in Cradle Mountain can be a beautiful thing to experience, especially with snow covering the surrounding mountain peaks but it's also the season that experiences the most rainfall and the highest humidity. August is the rainiest month with 25 days of expected rainfall. July is close behind it with 24 days and June has 21. This means that if you're travelling to Cradle Mountain in the winter, chances are your holiday will be set against a rainy backdrop.

It'll also be set against a humid one too as June and July take the cake for the most humid months out of the year, both sitting at 88%. The coldest month out of the year is August with an average temperature of around 12°C so make sure to pack some long sleeve tops, jumpers, pants, coats, and other waterproof clothing. You'll also need to pack some snow appropriate outerwear as snowfall is definitely expected.

Spring in Cradle Mountain

Best for: hiking, exploring, fishing

Carrying on from the winter months, spring is also a relatively rainy season with September, October, and November all receiving a high amount of rainfall. In fact, September has the same amount of rainy days on average that July has with 24 days. It's also known to be quite windy and can even produce light snowfall turning the blooming landscape into a snowy wonderland.

During these months, Tasmania's native animals become more active so keep your eyes peeled for wallabies, brushtail possums, wombats, and if you're lucky, a Tassie devil or two.

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