Updated on July 26, 2019
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania – A Bush Walkers Paradise
Tasmania is renown for stunning scenery, wilderness and superb walks. Cradle Mountain offers such a large variety of trails, including the 65km/7 day overland trail to Lake St Clair. The national park is one of the most famous and spectacular natural attractions in Tasmania and is protected by the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair World Heritage National Park in recognition of its status as a wilderness area of truly outstanding world value.
Cradle Mountain is in the World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, in the pristine northwestern wilderness region of Tasmania.
Located 80 km from Devonport (1.25 hours drive) | 110km from Burnie (1.5 hours drive) | 141 km from Launceston (2.5 hours drive) | 375 km from Hobart (4.5 hours drive).
Dove Lake Circuit Walk
A superb walk in the national park is the Dove Lake Circuit walk. A 2-hour walk of 5.7km, on a well-made track and boardwalk. This is one of our favourite short walks in Tasmania. It is fairly easy walking and takes in the spectacular views towards the peak of Cradle Mountain and covers a variety of terrain for such a relatively short hike.
The track passes through scrubby button grass, the sandy shoreline of Dove Lake and pretty streams gently cascading into the lake. The enchanting area is known as the ‘Ballroom Forest’ consists of moss-covered myrtle beech trees that invite walkers to stay awhile and enjoy the atmosphere.
Allow plenty of time to do the walk, enjoy a picnic by the lake perhaps. We walked in a clockwise direction which was initially really busy but the number of other walkers soon reduced the further we went as many folks only have a very short time to enjoy the area.
TIP: Get there early in the day, especially in peak season!
Walking in a clockwise direction, this great little spot is about 30 minutes into the walk. An ideal spot for a picnic or snack.
The path is along gravel surfaces as well as elevated boardwalks. Nothing too strenuous.
A massive old tree trunk along the track.
Plenty of summertime flowers to see…
Stay in the National Park, enjoy the ‘nightlife’ with Tasmanian Devils…
“The Tasmanian devil cannot be mistaken for any other marsupial. It’s spine-chilling screeches, black colour, and reputed bad temper, led the early European settlers to call it The Devil. Although only the size of a small dog, it can sound and look incredibly fierce.”
No car or you prefer to join a tour to Cradle Mountain, perhaps?
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
That would be fine to share the post with your FB group. It is a beautiful place with so many walks to do.