Go hiking, meet devils and relax in front of a roaring fire at Cradle Mountain.

A trip to Tasmania wouldn’t be complete without a trek in one of the abundant National Parks, and Cradle Mountain is one of the best in the state. Cozy accommodation, fascinating wildlife experiences, and myriad on-site walking tracks ranging from easy to challenging make this one of the best places to experience Tasmania’s stunning natural beauty. Our Cradle Mountain tours have walks to suit your level of fitness, so you can make the most of the rugged rainforests, river gorges, and glacial lakes. Visitors to Cradle Mountain will also discover jagged peaks and thick forests along with plenty of wildlife. Hit the trails before breakfast for wallaby sightings, and for rowdy Tassie Devils and lumbering wombats who appear at dusk. All you need to enjoy this beautiful part of Australia is good walking shoes, warm clothes, wet weather gear, and a sense of adventure.  

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Highlights of Cradle Mountain

Lake Lilla Track

Easy Cradle Mountain walks

You don’t have to be super-fit to enjoy Cradle Mountain. The Lake Lilla track which begins at Ronny Creek, a popular for spot for wombats to hang out, is an easy and rewarding walk.

Spotted quoll

Wildlife spotting at Cradle Mountain

Head out into the night for a guided wildlife spotting tour with your guide who will help you find nocturnal creatures like wombats, quolls and of course, Tasmanian devils.

Marion Lookout

Walk to Marion's Lookout

Enjoy breathtaking views across Cradle Mountain National Park and beyond on a hike up to Marion’s Lookout which is located high above the western side of Dove Lake.

Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre

Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre

On the park boundary, you’ll find the Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre which offers advice on where to visit plus interpretive displays, park information, and up-to-date weather reports.

Tasmanian devil

Meet the Devils at Cradle Mountain

Join your group for a visit a wildlife conservation facility aimed at protecting endangered Tasmanian devils. Watch how they feed, visit the nursery and meet some of the facility’s youngest residents.

Dove Lake Track

Walk around Dove Lake

Starting from beautiful Dove Lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain, follow a 6km circuit along the base of the mountain, passing by the King Billy Pine Forest and beautiful Pencil Pine Falls.

Cradle Mountain Tour Reviews

Cradle Mountain FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

It is a 1.5 hour drive from Devonport and 2.5 hour drive from Launceston via Sheffield to Cradle Mountain which is located at the northern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. There is no direct road link through the national park.

Read more about how to get from Hobart to Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain National Park has a free shuttle bus which operates daily throughout the year. To obtain a shuttle bus ticket, simply show your valid National Parks Pass to Parks and Wildlife Service staff in the visitor center. Private vehicles aren't permitted between the visitor center and Dove Lake/Ro​nny Creek (along Dove Lake Road) when the shuttle bus is operating.

The weather at Cradle Mountain is (very) changeable. There can be snow in December or you could be walking around in shorts and a t-shirt in winter. Or piling on warm clothes because the temperature has dipped towards zero degrees at pretty much any time of year. However, from November to March the weather is generally good with warm temperatures and clear skies. Spring weather can be changeable but it's a good time to see wildflowers and animals become more active around this time as well. Autumn brings with it the changing colors of the leaves and crisp mornings and nights. Winter is the best time to snuggle up in front of a fire and enjoy the cozy nights. 

Read more about the best time to visit Cradle Mountain

Pretty much everything. Bring clothes you can layer plus a jumper or jacket, wet weather gear, sunscreen, a hat and a beanie. And don't be surprised if you end up wearing all these things on the same day. If you are planning on going walking, even a gentle stroll around Dove Lake, decent wet weather gear and warm clothes are essential. Conditions can change in an instant and hikers have been caught out in the past with sometimes tragic results. 

If you're going out hiking, dress for the conditions and pack your backpack for the unexpected. If you're hanging out at your hotel or going somewhere to enjoy a meal, dress for comfort rather than fashion. Cradle Mountain is a place for lovers of the great outdoors so come as you are, as long as your clothes are (reasonably) clean. 

In short, pretty much non-existent when you're out and about aside from a weak Telstra signal here and there. Some accommodation offers Wi-Fi access but the signal can be patchy if heavy weather moves in. 

There is virtually no mobile phone signal at Cradle Mountain aside from a weak Telstra signal here and there. 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. Some of the hiking trails at Cradle Mountain are accessible but others can make walking difficult for travelers who are less mobile on foot. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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