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Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Tasmania

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair
National Park

Today's Weather on Lake St Clair

Feel inspired in the primeval wilderness of vast Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

You'll feel a million miles from modern life when you glimpse the jagged dolerite peaks of Cradle Mountain across the mirrored waters of Dove Lake. It's a wilderness vision that draws travelers to World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park time and time again.

Formed by glacial forces during the last Ice Age, the park has vegetation unlike anything you'll find on Australia's mainland. Walk round silent, mirrored Dove Lake, past waterfalls and through the myrtle beech and pencil pine of the Ballroom Forest. Or lose between one to five hours on one of the other popular walks including Hanson's Peak, Twisted Lakes, Lake Rodway and Lake Lila.

Pine Forest Moor, Overland Track, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS

Of course the park's most famous walk is the six-day Overland Track to Lake St Clair. The trek is a true challenge and great way to immerse yourself in the area's majestic, fast-changing scenery. Walkers are limited for environmental reasons so you'll need to book with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service in advance. When planning, keep in mind you shouldn't attempt the trek in the winter months of June, July and August when you can get snowed in. During April, you can see the spectacular changing colours of the deciduous beech.

The walk begins at the Waldheim Chalet in Cradle Valley, where you'll see wallabies and wombats feeding on the grassy entrance. Trek to the top of Cradle Mountain through button grass plains and herb meadows. From the 1,545 metre summit, you can look out over Dove and Crater Lakes and see valleys, plateaus, heaths and forests stretching for around 80 kilometres. It was this view that inspired Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer to begin campaigning for the area to be “a national park for the people for all time”. That was in 1912 and the park was granted World Heritage status in 1982.

New Pelion Hut, Overland Track, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS

As you descend through the rugged highlands, you'll see why Gustav was so inspired. This is a rare, diverse wilderness and most of the time you'll have it all to yourself. The only passers-bys are walkers, wallabies, curious possums and shy, nocturnal wombats. After a few days on the track, office politics and road rage will be another world away. Stay overnight in huts, including the well-equipped Pelion Hut at mid-track and Du Cane, once the bush home of trapper Paddy Hartnett and his wife. In late spring and summer, the surrounding Leatherwood forest is covered with large white flowers.

Climb Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest mountain and visit the fairytale D'Alton, Fergusson and Hartnett waterfalls. Explore magical myrtle forests and see a species of beech tree more than 60 million years old. Your journey ends with a cruise along Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake and a walk past highland lakes and rivers. Swimming is even an option, if you can handle the icy invigoration.

You'll feel alive whether or not you brave the waters. What's more, even when you return to modern life, you'll always carry a piece of this special Tasmanian tranquillity.

More Holiday Ideas

See what else there is near here to inspire your holiday planning.

Tasmanian Wilderness

Step into the ancient beauty of Tasmania's World Heritage wilderness and national parks. From Hobart, discover Bruny Island's wildlife and walking trails and drive the East Coast Escape to Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. Launceston is your base for the Overland Track through Cradle-Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, and the untamed rivers and rapids of the west coast.

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The Overland Track, Tasmania

Travel through the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed wilderness on this famous 65-kilometre trek from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Walk the entire Overland Track in six days or do short and day walks from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Dove Lake. Remember the end-to-end walk requires planning. You’ll need to book in advance with Tasmania’s Parks & Wildlife Service and take with you a good tent and warm sleeping bag. While the route has eight basic stove-heated huts, there’s no guarantee of space. The best time to walk the track is between November and April, when the weather is milder and days are longer for Daylight Saving. During April, you can see the spectacular changing colours of the deciduous beech. As well as a physical challenge, this walk is a true communion with nature. You’ll see lakes, forests and gorges, mountains and moors, spectacular waterfalls and steep, stony peaks.

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Circle Tasmania

Soak up Hobart's convict history before heading to Freycinet National Park and the perfect curve of Wineglass Bay. Swim in St Helens and do the Bay of Fires Walk in Mount William National Park. Look over Launceston from Cataract Gorge and cycle along Devonport's waterfront. Soothe your soul in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park. Stay in Strahan and cruise the Gordon River or white water raft the furious Franklin. Walk from waterfalls and fern forests to ski fields in Mount Field National Park. From the tranquil beaches of Tasmania's east to the rugged mountains flanking the west, this circle will leave you spellbound.

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Launceston, Devonport and Burnie

The compact, picturesque Tasmanian cities of Launceston, Devonport and Burnie have lots to delight travellers. Discover restaurants, galleries, parklands and historic streetscapes, meet the friendly locals and explore the surrounding attractions. In Tasmania's north lies Launceston, home to a thriving cultural scene and the wilderness of Cataract Gorge. Along the island's rugged north-west coast you can explore the pretty port of Devonport and the lively seaside city of Burnie.

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