Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the wonders of the Australian state of Tasmania. On an area of 160,000 hectares, in the land of 3,000 lakes, you will discover glaciers, rainforests, lakes and wildlife, including the famous Tasmanian Devil. In this article you will find all the information you need to explore this stunning national park.
Table of Contents
Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair: Tasmania’s most popular National Park
Cradle Mountain‑Lake St Clair National Park is the jewel of Tasmania’s alpine north‑west, crowned by the horned dolerite summit of Cradle Mountain (1,545 m).
The park has two entrances: Cradle Valley to the north and Lake Saint Clair to the south. Lake Saint Clair is the deepest lake in Australia (167 m). To the north, you will see the famous Cradle Mountain, which offers unforgettable hikes.
The rich diversity of fauna includes wombats, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, the dangerous tiger snakes, and various species of birds and birds of prey that roam the park.
Similarly, you will discover many old plants such as the deciduous beech but also various varieties of pines: the King Billy pine, the celery pine or the pencil pine. In the south, the deep Lake Saint Clair is as relaxing as it is mystical. This part of the park offers less steep walks and has a special atmosphere.
Getting There & Around
Getting to the National Park
Hobart: 325 km / 4 h 30 m – break the drive at Campbell Town.
Launceston → Cradle Mountain: 142 km / 2 h 20 m via Sheffield (last cheap fuel).
Devonport ferry terminal: 83 km / 1 h 25 m – popular with van‑lifers.
If you don’t own a vehicle, you can easily rent one from Devonport or Hobart. Use a comparaison tool to see your options and get a good deal:
There are of course organized tours from Hobart or from Devonport, if you want an easy option 🙂
Shuttle service in the National Park
Board the green shuttle (included in Icon Pass or AU$15 ticket).
| Season | 1st bus | Last bus to Dove Lake | Last return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | 8 : 10 am | 7 : 00 pm | 7 : 30 pm |
| Mar | 8 : 10 am | 6 : 00 pm | 6 : 30 pm |
| Apr* | 8 : 15 am | 5 : 30 pm | 6 : 00 pm |
| May – Aug | 8 : 45 am | 4 : 00 pm | 4 : 30 pm |
| Sep | 8 : 45 am | 4 : 30 pm | 5 : 00 pm |
| Oct | 8 : 15 am | 5 : 30 pm | 6 : 00 pm |
| Nov | 8 : 10 am | 6 : 00 pm | 6 : 30 pm |
*Daylight‑saving change first Sun in April. Schedule: Parks & Wildlife Service (parks.tas.gov.au)
🚐 Shuttle stops: Visitor Centre → Interpretation Centre → Snake Hill → Ronny Creek (wombat hotspot) → Dove Lake Viewing Shelter.
How long should you plan for Cradle National Park?
The national park is huge and stretches over 160,000 hectares with glaciers, rainforests, lakes and abundant wildlife. Depending on the activities you plan on site, your stay in the park may be longer or shorter. If you want to do short hikes here and there then plan at least 2 days to go around the park. For more experienced walkers, we advise you to spend at least 4 or 5 days to take full advantage of the different walks available to you.
Also read: Cradle Mountain – 2 days Itinerary
Best time to travel to the National Park
The best season is summer (December and January) when the valleys are blooming. However, the temperatures remain cool even at the bottom of the mountain.
In winter the mountain is covered with snow. The temperatures vary between 0 and 5 degrees and it rains much more than in summer. Moreover, Tasmania is one of the few places in Australia where you can ski. Winters are also very rainy on the island, although it is true that it rains regularly throughout the year.
Park Pass & Fees (June 2025)
| Pass | Price adult | Includes shuttle? | Validity |
| Icon Daily Pass – Cradle only | AU$29.10 | ✔ | 24 h |
| Holiday Vehicle Pass (all Tas parks) | AU$93.15 / vehicle | ✘ (+AU$15 ticket) | 60 days |
| Annual All Parks | AU$95.65 / person | ✘ (+AU$15 ticket) | 12 months |
| Shuttle‑only ticket | AU$15 (free <18 yrs) | — | 72 h |
Buy passes online or at the Visitor Centre; peak periods (Dec – Mar) see 30‑min queues – pre‑purchase to save time.
💸 10% Discount on your Insurance Policy
Find here all the information you need and get your 10% Go walkabout promo code for any policy.
Hiking in Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair NP
Being well equipped
To get the most out of the park, you need to be equipped with good hiking gear. Plan good walking shoes as well as warm and waterproof clothes (even in summer) because the weather is unpredictable. It is not uncommon to have showers after a big blue sky, moreover, the wind is always fresh. Stock up on resources and water (towns closest to the two entrances are several kilometers away) and don’t forget your sunscreen and your sunglasses.
Remember to check the weather conditions (Bureau Of Meteorology) because bush fires are frequent and destructive in Tasmania. The Tasmanian fire alert site (keep yourselves throughout your trip to the island!): alert.tas.gov.au/pages/map.aspx.
There are numerous hiking trails, easy or very difficult, short or long. You will find detailed descriptions of the trails from “very short walk” to “overnight walk” on the website of the national park or at the information centre. We have enlisted a few hiking trails, the crème de la crème, so to speak.
Overland Track (6 Days)
Booking window: Opens 1 July for the following summer (slots sell out in hours for Dec – Feb).
2025‑26 peak‑season fee: AU$295 adult / AU$250 concession / AU$265 child (8–17 yrs) – covers park entry + 1 night in each hut.
Direction: North → South only (Cradle to Lake St Clair) Oct – May.
Cradle Mountain Summit (Grade 5)
To get to the summit, you hike from Ronnie Creek over the Overland Track. From there, you go to Marion’s Lookout and then to the foot of the mountain. There is a sign showing that you will need about two and a half hours to the top. You will probably have a guess how much time you will actually need. Trust me, you will need the two and a half hours. It’s not just hiking, it’s more climbing. There is no path, but poles fixed into the rocks, which serve as a support. You have to find grip with your hands and move forward. Challenging and dangerous!
Although this hike can make even the most adventurous hiker sweat, it is of course very satisfying to arrive at the top and to enjoy the view. Be well prepared, take plenty of water with you, allow enough of time, and watch where you’re going (especially on the descent!).
Enchanted Walk (Grade 2 – family‑friendly boardwalk)
One of the 60 most beautiful hikes in Tasmania. A short 20-minute walk, which is great for anyone and worth the detour. You actually feel like you’re in an enchanted forest.
Marion’s Lookout (Grade 4)
This is the most famous lookout of the park! From there, you can see almost all of the lakes in the area and in particular Dove Lake, the largest and most beautiful. This is also the opportunity to see the pointy peaks of the mountains. There are several paths leading to this viewpoint.
Billy King Walk
A 30-minute circular walk takes you amidst a dense tropical forest and to Old King Billy, the oldest pine in the area.
Dove Lake Circuit (Grade 3)
This is the most popular hike in the park. You get to explore Dove Lake from all angles, between the boardwalk, the forest, the beaches, and the famous boathouse. However, we recommend that you combine this walk with another one because the entire trail may seem a bit long and redundant.
Face Track
At the foot of the Cradle Mountain, you can take the Face Track, one of the park’s altitude trails. The path is steep, which gives it a certain charm. Also the Lake Willis Track is fantastic. Emotions are guaranteed there!
Platypus Bay and Aboriginal Culture Walk (Lake St. Clair)
A 5km walk will take you to a beautiful lookout from where you will see the lake and pier of the Cuiver River. Perhaps you are lucky enough to see a platypus in the early morning or late evening.
Mount Rufus Walk (Lake St Clair)
This is one of the most challenging hikes on Lake St Clair. You walk 18 km, 7 hours on foot, while enjoying a breathtaking view of the valley and the various lakes in the park.
Accommodation guide: where to stay?
Cradle Valley
It is no surprise that we remain in the same register of deep nature. For the more “roots” among you, the place is full of free camps, two of which are right at the entrance to the park. Very convenient for an early morning hike. However, these are rudimentary camping places, there are no toilets or drinking water. Adventure you say?
For those looking for comfort and in particular a hot shower, the Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain located at the entrance of the park will be your base. Count between $65 and $85 for a pitch (with or without electricity) or opt for a shared dormitory or a comfortable cabin from a hundred dollars a night.
For a visit in total immersion, you can also sleep in one of the cabins of the Waldheim Rustic Cabins. Rustic and typical accommodation whose price varies between $95 and $185 per night depending on the number of beds (4, 6 or 8).
Lake St. Clair
Live the experience of an unusual night in the heart of the heritage-listed Pumphouse Point. At the end of a pontoon, a small cabin on the lake will serve as your home for the night. Enjoy the calm to connect with nature and to rest. Tranquility at a price… You will still have to pay between $560 and $1,750 for one night for 2 adults. All meals of the day are included (breakfast, lunch and dinner), drinks as well as the rental of bicycles or rowboats.
Otherwise, the best solution is to go to Derwent Bridge, a small village a few kilometers away where you can sleep in one of the free campsites thanks to your national park pass. It is better to book your stay in advance on the national park website or by calling the office directly.
Wildlife Etiquette & Safety
- Wombats & pademelons graze Ronny Creek boardwalk – keep 2 m distance, no feeding.
- Currawongs are adept sandwich thieves – secure packs at lunch stops.
- Weather can swing from sun to sleet in an hour; pack waterproofs year‑round.
- Drones: Banned without PWS permit – heavy fines apply.
FAQs
From Australia, you can reach Tasmania by ferry or by plane. By plane: There are 4 airports in Tasmania: Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie. Flights depart from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, or Brisbane. The shortest flight departs from Melbourne. To reach the south of the park, land in Hobart. For the north of the park, land in Devonport. By ferry: Departing from Melbourne, the ferry takes you to Devonport in the north of Tasmania. The crossing takes about 9 hours overnight.
Remember, Tasmania is the coolest region in Australia. For milder temperatures, travel in the summer between December and March.
Yes, but you need to be in very good physical condition and mentally prepared. Hiking alone for several days over nearly 80 km in changing weather conditions can be physically and mentally challenging.
Since the Overland Track is the most popular hike in Cradle Mountain, you will meet other hikers along the way and at accommodations. You can also join Facebook groups or post messages to look for hiking partners. In Australia, it’s easy to make friends!
Wild camping is generally not permitted at Cradle Mountain. You must book a spot at designated campgrounds.
