Subscribe
Subscribe
12 Essential Things to do in Cradle Mountain
The things to do in Cradle Mountain are endless — a certified nature’s playground where wild beauty and adventure await.
Cradle Mountain. Where the wild heart of Tasmania beats loudest. Where jagged peaks rise through mist, casting their reflection on the glassy stillness of Dove Lake, while ancient rainforests whisper stories older than time. It’s a place where nature holds nothing back — where wombats graze in the shadow of the mountains, and the air smells like pine and eucalyptus, carrying with it a sense of pure freedom.
World Heritage-listed and breathtakingly pristine, this national park is a haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. From challenging hikes through alpine moorlands to quiet moments of reflection by crystal-clear lakes, Cradle Mountain offers experiences that stir the soul and leave you feeling both humbled and invigorated. A landscape that demands respect, and rewards the bold. Here are 10 essential things to do in Cradle Mountain.
Kayaking on Dove Lake
There are few moments more humbling than gliding across Dove Lake at dawn, Cradle Mountain mirrored in the water like something from a fever dream. A kayak lets you experience the landscape at its quietest — no boots crunching gravel, no selfie sticks in sight. Just alpine stillness, glacial waters, and a front-row seat to the untamed heart of Tasmania. Tours are best booked with local operators, Cradle Mountain Canyons, who know when the mist hits just right and how to read the moody shifts of the weather. For anyone craving more depth from their visit, this is it — raw, reflective, and real.
Horse Riding with Cradle Country Adventures
There’s a magic that settles in when you’re on horseback in Tasmania’s alpine plains. With Cradle Country Adventures, riders of all levels can trace forgotten cattle trails, skirt button grass moorlands, and canter through eucalyptus forests with Cradle Mountain watching in the distance like an ancient god. The guides are local, the horses calm and well-loved, and the pace as unhurried as the landscape itself.
It’s the kind of experience that bypasses the usual tourist clichés, with no queues, no crowds, just you, a saddle, and the wild hush of the highlands.
Visit the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
Always kick off your Cradle Mountain adventure at the Visitor Centre, a treasure trove of information. Here, you’ll find detailed maps, expert advice, and insights into the park’s trails, wildlife, and history. The centre is an invaluable resource for planning your visit, ensuring you make the most of your time in this stunning national park. It’s an excellent starting point to tailor your itinerary based on your interests and fitness level.
4057 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain
Walk the Overland Track
The Overland Track is Tasmania at its rawest: a 65-kilometre odyssey from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair that carries you through mist-cloaked rainforest, ancient glacial valleys, button grass plains, and windswept alpine ridgelines. It demands grit, reverence, and a decent set of legs.
Start preparing early: build endurance, hike with a full pack, and familiarise yourself with the essentials — map, compass, stove, and first aid. Book your huts and park pass well in advance, especially in peak season, and respect the delicate balance of this landscape by walking lightly. The weather changes on a whim, but the beauty stays with you far longer. This is nature, on its own terms.
Hike the Dove Lake Circuit Trail
Cradle Mountain’s Dove Lake Circuit is a delightful rendezvous with raw, untamed beauty. This 6-kilometre loop, often completed in around two hours, offers a front-row seat to nature’s grandeur. As you meander along the boardwalks, Cradle Mountain’s jagged silhouette mirrors itself in the still waters of Dove Lake, creating a scene so picturesque it deserves at least one (or 90) pictures.
The path winds through ancient rainforests, where the air is thick with the scent of moss and every turn reveals a new story etched in stone and sky. A perfect Tasmanian adventure, and one of the must-do things to do in Cradle Mountain.
Reach Marion’s Lookout
For panoramic views that will take your breath away, hike up to Marion’s Lookout. This challenging trail offers some of the best vistas in Cradle Mountain, showcasing sweeping views over Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, and the expansive wilderness. The ascent is steep but manageable, and the rewards at the summit are well worth the effort. It’s an ideal spot for photos and a moment of reflection.
Take a Scenic Flight
Experience Cradle Mountain National Park from a new angle with a scenic flight. These aerial tours take you above the craggy peaks, dense forests, and tranquil lakes, giving you a raw, sweeping view of the park’s vastness and intricate beauty. Cradle Mountain Helicopters offers thrilling options like the Cradle Mountain and Fury Gorge Adventure, where you’ll fly over hidden corners of the park, seeing it in a way few ever do.
Discover the Enchanted Walk
The Enchanted Walk is a short, easy trail within Cradle Mountain National Park suited to families or anyone seeking a tranquil stroll through enchanting old-growth scenery. This 20-minute loop winds through lush vegetation and alongside a cascading stream, providing a serene escape into nature. It’s a wonderful way to experience the magical atmosphere of Cradle Mountain’s rainforest without the commitment of a longer hike.
Spot Wildlife
Cradle Mountain doesn’t put on a show — it simply lets you in. At first light and again at golden hour, the alpine hush is broken by wombats nosing through the grass, wallabies on the move, and the low rasp of a Tasmanian devil in the undergrowth. Look up and the trees flicker with dusky robins, thornbills, and the occasional wedge-tailed eagle tracing lazy circles overhead. This isn’t a zoo, it’s a pact — enter quietly, stay alert, and you’ll be rewarded. In a world of curated nature, Cradle’s wildlife comes unfiltered. Bring binoculars, yes, but mostly bring your patience. The bush is watching you, too.
Stay at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge isn’t so much a stay as a seductive recalibration of your senses. On the fringe of a World Heritage-listed wilderness, this alpine icon offers the kind of cabin-core fantasy where fireplaces crackle, wombats waddle past your balcony, and dinner at Highland Restaurant feels like a locavore fever dream. Think aged Tasmanian beef, foraged herbs, pinot by the fire — and not a trace of reception in sight. After a day chasing waterfalls or tackling the Overland Track, there’s a hot tub that makes the concept of “nature meets luxury” feel profoundly undersold. This is wildness, with room service.
Book your stay with Booking.com
4038 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain
Take a Twilight Tour
As the sun dips behind Cradle Mountain, the park takes on an otherworldly glow — this is when the magic happens. Twilight tours give you a chance to witness a different side of Tasmania’s wilderness. Guided excursions lead you through the park’s quiet corners where nocturnal creatures like wombats, wallabies, and even the elusive Tasmanian devil come out to play. Whether it’s the Cradle Mountain Night Spotting Tour with McDermott’s Tours or a fireside experience with Devils@Cradle, these tours offer a rare and unforgettable perspective of Cradle Mountain.
Explore the Artist’s Pool & Lake Rodway
For those who prefer their wilderness without witnesses, The Artist’s Pool is Cradle Mountain’s quietest masterpiece — a glassy tarn tucked beneath jagged peaks, reached only by a four-hour thigh-burn and a stubborn refusal to turn back. Pause here, where the wind stills and the mountain doubles itself in water. Push on to Lake Rodway and the solitude deepens — sixteen kilometres of alpine track and tussock fields that feel like Tasmania stripped bare. No boardwalks. No chatter. Just your breath, the crunch underfoot, and a view that silences everything else. It’s not easy, and that’s precisely the point. For adventurers, this is the real pilgrimage.
Cradle Mountain offers a rich tapestry of experiences that highlight the natural beauty and historical significance of Tasmania. From epic hikes and serene lakes to historical insights and wildlife encounters, the best things to do in Cradle Mountain ensure that every visitor leaves with unforgettable memories. For more Tasmanian adventures, check out our guides to these beautiful walks and waterfalls.
