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Cradle Mountain Day Trip
Cradle Mountain is in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Here, you can explore ancient rainforests, snow-covered mountains, glacial lakes, and alpine moorlands. It is an incredible National Park to visit in all seasons and a great area to see wildlife.
On our day trip to Cradle Mountain, we wandered down to the Dove Lake Boathouse, discovered Pencil Pine Falls on the rainforest walk, and watched some wombats at Ronny Creek. We also wandered along the delightful enchanted walk and enjoyed the Devils at Cradle experience.
Dove Lake Boathouse
The Walk - 1 Kilometre- 20 minutes - Grade 2
This easy walk starts at Dove Lake. Walk along the boardwalk, then take the track to the right and wander along until you reach the shore of Dove Lake.
Here, you will see the iconic Dove Lake Boathouse and can sit and admire the beautiful view over Dove Lake to Cradle Mountain.
Pencil Pine Falls along the Rainforest Walk
The Walk - 400 metres - 10 minutes - Grade 1
This easy 10-minute walk starts behind Cradle Mountain's Ranger Station and Interpretation Centre. Take your time to wander through the cool temperate rainforest of pencil pines and myrtle, and you can view the beautiful Pencil Pine Falls from the viewing deck.
The Pencil Pine River cascades 10 metres over a rocky outcrop, creating Pencil Pine Falls.
Wombats at Cradle Mountain
On our day trip to Cradle Mountain, we saw a wombat on the Enchanted Walk's boardwalk's edge in the morning and several more later in the afternoon near the shuttle bus stop at Ronny Creek.
The Enchanted Walk ~ 60 Great Short Walks of Tasmania
The Walk - 1.1 kilometres Circuit - 20 minutes - Grade 2
The walk begins near the bridge that crosses Pencil Pine Creek and takes you along a boardwalk through the button grass moorland before merging into the mystical Myrtle forest. As you walk along the boardwalk, you will see a diverse variety of mosses and lichens that live on the branches and undergrowth of the forest.
If you walk quietly and look carefully, you may even see a wombat, wallaby, or pademelon along the tracks.
There are three interpretive tunnels along the track for children to explore. The tunnels feature informative displays that explain the plants and animals of the area and encourage them to look out for them along the walk.
Walk over the bridge that spans Pencil Pine Creek, and you will see a lovely little waterfall; then, continue along the boardwalk along the creek banks.
Watch for colourful fungi on the forest floor, especially during the colder months. The walk then finishes at the bridge overlooking the beautiful Pencil Pine Cascades.
Devils@Cradle Tours
Devils@Cradle is a conservation and breeding facility for the Tasmanian devil. And you will find it at the Cradle Mountain National Park entrance.
It is open daily, and you can see the Tasmanian Devils up close whilst listening to an exciting and informative talk from the keepers.
Learn about Tasmania's most famous animal, the Tasmanian Devil, on this wonderful tour.
Directions to drive to Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the middle of the island of Tasmania and is easily accessible from the island's two main towns, Hobart and Launceston.
Drive along the Bass Highway via Deloraine from Launceston, turn off at Elizabeth Town to Sheffield, and then turn off to Cradle Mountain.
From Hobart, take the Midlands Highway through Campbell Town, turn left at Perth, then take the Bass Highway, turn left at Elizabeth Town to Sheffield, and then turn off to Cradle Mountain.
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