Tasmania For Everyone: Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain

Australia’s most recognisable mountain, Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mtn. – Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The familiar jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while abundant wildlife, icy streams, alpine heathlands, colourful deciduous beech and ancient pines reflected in still glacial lakes entice many visitors to stay and explore.

How to get there

By car, drive from Devonport via Sheffield to Cradle Mountain.
By coach, there are numerous coach companies that offer transport to and from Cradle Mountain. There is a bus/coach service between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair for those who parked their vehicle at either end and walked The Overland track. Booking transport for the return journey prior to walking is recommended. It is recommended that walkers leave their car at Lake St Clair and book the bus/coach service to Cradle mountain. This will gives a little more flexibility in your walking time. Tassielink Coaches services all major centres throughout Tasmania.

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The best time to go

The walking season is 1 November to 30 April. Bookings are required for each walking season. During the booking period walkers, will be required to walk the track from North to South (Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair), and pay the Overland Track Fee ($150). Bookings open July each year for the coming season.

About Cradle Mountain

The area is one of the most glaciated in Australia and includes Tasmania’s highest mountain, Mt. Ossa (1617 metres) and Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake, the source of the River Derwent. The Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park shares a “Twin Parks” agreement with the World Heritage Listed PlacesJiuzhaigou Nature Reserve in the People’s Republic of China.

Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt. – Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments to explore. Icy streams cascading out of rugged mountains, stands of ancient pines mirrored in the still waters of glacial lakes and a wealth of wildlife ensure there is always something to captivate you. The area is one of the most popular natural areas in Tasmania. A visit will reveal why.

Cradle is the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a magnificent 6 day walk that will take you through the heart of some of the finest mountain terrain.

Walking The Overland Track

Beginning at Cradle Mountain, The Overland Track is a true wilderness walk which travels through spectacular dolerite mountains, near beautiful waterfalls, through a variety of fascinating ecosystems and close to Tasmania’s highest mountain, before finishing at Australia’s deepest lake, Lake St Clair. The stunning scenery and the physical challenges of this mountain walk have ensured that the Overland Track has built a national and international reputation as one of the great wilderness bushwalks. Tasmania’s premier long-distance track, it is a six day walk travelling 65 km through the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The Overland Track experience commences in the northern part of Cradle Mountain -Lake St Clair National Park, at Ronny Creek, climbing out of the Cradle Valley and finishes at Narcissus Bay on Lake St Clair. Although the track is well-maintained and clearly marked, for some the journey may not be an easy one. Some people may find the walk quite steep in sections and six days of continuous walking can be physically demanding.
Bookings are required for each walking season (1 November to 30 April). During the booking period walkers will be required to walk the track from North to South (Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair), and pay the Overland Track Fee.
Bookings open July each year for the coming season.