Cradle Mountain

Travel Guide
Midlands featuring a sunset, mountains and mist or fog
Enjoy Tasmania’s pristine wilderness and diverse forest and mountain ecosystems while hiking around glacial lakes and to snowcapped peaks.

The breathtaking landscape of Tasmania’s Central Highlands is preserved in the vast Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. There are many ways to explore this special environment. Tackle the famous Overland Track, climb the dolerite peaks of Cradle Mountain or enjoy shorter walks to stunning lakes. You’ll pass buttongrass meadows full of wombats and ancient temperate rainforest.

Take a helicopter ride to get a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular Crater Lake, mountains and gorges. See the diverse ecosystem up close during the half-hour Enchanted Nature and Weindorfers Forest trails. Another moderate walk is the 2-hour Dove Lake Circuit through a myrtle beech forest. Take pictures of the wooden 1940s boat shed and rugged mountain peaks mirrored in the blue lake.

Adventure seekers can join a canyoning tour, which includes abseiling down waterfalls and rafting. Between November and April, wilderness lovers from all over the world come to the Cradle Valley to hike the 6-day Overland Track to Lake St. Clair.

You can visit the national park in one day or on a coach tour, but most prefer staying overnight because it is a 5-hour drive from Hobart and a 2-hour drive from Launceston. Enjoy a glass of Tasmanian wine, dine by a wood fire or relax in a spa in one of the many basic cottages and upscale chalets near the park.

Slow your pace upon arrival, because wombats graze near the roads. Buy a vehicle permit from the visitor centre near the entrance or park your car and take a shuttle bus to the trails. The weather can go from perfectly sunny to wet, windy and cold within minutes, so register for all hikes and bring supplies and protective clothing.

The visitor centre, which sells guide books and all-weather gear, has weather updates and flora and fauna displays. Learn more about Australia’s many special creatures, including quolls, echidnas, wombats, platypuses, pademelons and Tasmanian devils. If you didn’t spot a devil in the wild, stop by the nearby sanctuary to see these stocky beasts up close.

Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain
Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain
3 out of 5
Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, TAS
The price is ¥10,135 per night from May 12 to May 13
¥10,135
per night
May 12 - May 13
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and a snack bar/deli. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (997 reviews)
"It was beautiful great for family"

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain Hotel
Cradle Mountain Hotel
4 out of 5
3718 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, TAS
The price is ¥20,049 per night from May 16 to May 17
¥20,049
per night
May 16 - May 17
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"We enjoyed the view from our room, open fire places and reception and dining staff were obliging and welcoming giving us good information in relation to the treks at cradle mountain."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Cradle Mountain Hotel
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
4.5 out of 5
4038 Cradle Mountain Road Tasm, Cradle Mountain, TAS
The price is ¥33,592 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥33,592
per night
May 19 - May 20
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Lovely area, lounge areas great"

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Zeehan Bush Camp
Zeehan Bush Camp
2 out of 5
Hurst Street, Zeehan, TAS
Stay at this campground in Zeehan. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions West Coast Pioneers Memorial Museum and Zeehan Golf Club ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (115 reviews)
"Great experience and location. Would definitely stay here again and recommend to anyone wishing to stay in the area."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024

Zeehan Bush Camp
Cradle Highlander
Cradle Highlander
3.5 out of 5
3876 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, TAS
Stay at this aparthotel in Cradle Mountain. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (645 reviews)
"Excellent in every way. From the first greeting on. Loved the cost feel and the fire of course"

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Cradle Highlander
Cradle Alpine Retreat
Cradle Alpine Retreat
3.5 out of 5
1429 Cradle Mountain Road, Moina, TAS
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Moina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Staverton Regional Reserve and Lake Barrington International ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (187 reviews)
"Great location and facilities for Cradle Mountain."

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024

Cradle Alpine Retreat
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Cradle Mountain

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
11
" "5 - Excellent 78.57142857142857%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 21.428571428571427%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 29, 2019

This is a wonderful place to visit. Spectacularly beautiful even without the wildlife but the opportunity to see wallabies, wombats, and pademelons, among others, makes it uniquely rewarding.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 30, 2019

Amazing! It has become my favourite place on earth! If you like adventure I highly recommend the Cradle Mountain Canyoning experience. Had so much fun! Highly recommend the area for anyone who loves nature!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 18, 2019

Peppers Lodge Tavern & Bar has much better food for dinner than at Cradle Mountain Hotel - just down the road about 2 minutes drive.

Cities near Cradle Mountain