The World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain is located at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park, perfectly positioned for a weekend jaunt from either Hobart of Launceston.
The park is situated approximately 175km northeast of the Tasmanian capital and can be reached in around two and a half hours drive via the Lyell Highway.
The mountain’s a similar distance from Launceston and can be reached in around two and a half hours via the Bass Highway.
Cradle Mountain’s jagged visage epitomises the wild, rugged aesthetic that visitors from around the country find so appealing.
The stark contrast of lush temperate rainforest, alpine heathlands and icy streams combine to form the backdrop of some of the finest bushwalking country found anywhere in the world.
While the park is not a 4WDing destination as such, the scenery is mind-blowingly beautiful and it’s well worth the effort to get out of the car and explore this beautiful place on foot.
STUFF TO DO
HIKING is the primary reason for a visit to Cradle Mountain, and visitors come from around the country and indeed the world to hike to the famous summit.
The Overland Track is a renowned 65km hiking route, which traverses Cradle Mountain and passes through the heart of St Clair National Park.
This epic journey usually takes six days to complete, so is certainly not for the unfit or fainthearted.
For more information on The Overland Track and the much shorter track directly to the mountain’s summit, visit www.parks.tas.gov.au
FISHING in Lake St Clair is popular with visitors keen to try their hand at catching a feed of tasty trout.
Freshwater fishing licenses are required to fish all lakes and rivers in the area, and are obtainable from the general store. Private boats are not allowed on the lake, but fishing from the bank is very much OK.
IMPORTANT INFO
LOCATION: Cradle Mountain is located within the Cradle Mountain-St Clair National Park, approximately 175km northeast of Hobart via the Lyell Highway.
CAMPING is allowed within the St Clair National Park at Cynthia Bay, for bookings and details email frontdesk@lakestclairlodge.com.au.
Fires are only permitted in existing fireplaces and firewood must be carried in and not collected from within the park.
FUEL is available in Cradle Mountain village centre as well as in Sheffield and Devonport.
MORE INFO is available at www.parks.tas.gov.au
