Best time to visit Cradle Mountain
From sun to snow, here’s what to know about visiting Cradle Mountain
While there's no 'best' time to visit Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park, visiting during summer, between December and February, is best for swimming and hiking. Winter, between June and August, is the best time to visit for snowy conditions.
The park sits within a cool Tasmanian temperate climate and is known to have unpredictable weather, sometimes referred to as four seasons in a day.
Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring |
December to February | March to May | June to August | September to November |
When to visit
Summer is the best season to tackle the iconic Overland Track or other hikes in the park. During this season, most native wildflowers are in bloom and probably prefer a dip in one of the park's lakes or waterfall-fed pools while it’s warm.
Summer is typically the driest and sunniest time of year. However, it's important to bring clothing for all conditions, as the weather is still highly unpredictable because it’s even been known to snow in summer.
In autumn, between March and May, Tasmania's deciduous tree, the Fagus, changes the colour of its leaves before dropping and covering the forest floor. Tassie locals call this seasonal event 'the turning of the Fagus'.
Autumn is also known for its dryish, sunny weather with rainfall increasing around April and May. Cradle Mountain's natural beauty is on full display with the wilderness turning from bright green to moody orange and brown.
During winter, snow blankets the peaks of the national park, making it a sight to behold in winter. August is the wettest month, with an average of 17 days of precipitation. Winter temperatures range between highs of 6°C to 9°C and lows of 0°C.
Trekking the Overland Track in winter can be dangerous as the weather at higher altitudes is volatile. It's not recommended unless you're an experienced multi-day hiker and have winter-appropriate gear. Trekking season on the Overland Track starts again around November.