How to Spend 2 Nights in Cradle Mountain: Tasmania's Wilderness
Cradle Mountain National Park is a must-visit destination on a trip to Tasmania. I had read about the untouched wild landscape and fantastic hikes and wanted to work it into my 8-night Tasmania road trip Itinerary.
I chose which hiking trails I wanted to do in Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage Area and decided that staying two nights in Cradle Mountain would be enough time to experience several shorter hiking trails and visit the Tasmanian Devils' wildlife sanctuary.
Writing this post has brought back to me just how special this place is and how much I loved it there, and I hope you find the information in this Cradle Mountain blog post helpful in planning a similar trip to this magical wilderness.
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First Impressions of Tasmania
My son Dominic and I had arrived in Tasmania from Melbourne on the overnight ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania. Once the rental car had been picked up (by a very tired Angie), we were on our way to Cradle Mountain via Sheffield, the Tassie town known for its murals.
During our drive, we already had a glimpse of what the Tasmanian Wilderness had in store for us. Eagles soared in the clear blue skies above, and beautiful, enchanting views of mountains and lakes allowed us a glimpse of Tasmania's unspoilt natural beauty.
The Driving Time from Devonport (ferry terminal) to Cradle Mountain is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Driving times are approximate, but allow extra time if you stop in Sheffield. We grabbed a coffee and croissant there and wandered the streets, taking photos of the impressive murals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cradle Mountain?
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair is one of Australia's best and most important national parks. It is a Unesco World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty spanning an impressive 1600km2. The national park incorporates the iconic Cradle Mountain, Lake St. Clair, rainforests, and diverse flora and fauna.
Visitors come to Cradle Valley to immerse themselves in the extraordinary natural wilderness and explore the Cradle Mountain hiking trails. There are trails for all abilities, from easy routes such as the Enchanted Walk to the challenging 6-day Overland Track (80km) that leads through the heart of the Tasmanian World Heritage Area.
If you want to be at one with nature, two nights in Cradle Mountain will revive and replenish you, but be aware - you may not want to leave!
Is 2 nights in Cradle Mountain Enough Time?
This all depends on what you have on your travel itinerary. If you want to do a few short walks in Cradle Mountain (including Dove Lake, listed as one of Tasmania's 60 best short walks), spend some time relaxing, and maybe visit Devils@CradleMountain, then two nights is the perfect amount of time to immerse yourself in the spectacular surroundings.
If you want to do long hikes in Cradle Mountain, like Hanson's Peak (3 hours return) or Cradle Summit (8 hours return), you might want to add a few more days to your Cradle Mountain itinerary. This will allow you to include some downtime in your schedule.
Driving Times
Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is located in the heart of Tasmania. Driving times from each of the towns are as follows:
Devonport 1 h 15 mins
Launceston 1h 50 mins
Strahan 2 h
Hobart and Freycinet National Park 4h
Please bear in mind that these approximate timings can change due to weather and road conditions.
Purchasing Cradle Mountain Passes
You must visit the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre to buy mandatory permits for your stay. We opted for the Cradle Mountain icon daily pass, which costs $25 per adult (including the shuttle bus).
Yes, this is costly; however, funds are reinvested in the upkeep of the parks and reserves. Every person buying a pass will help preserve Tasmania's natural landscape in the future. Cradle Mountain maps can also be picked up here.
Where to Stay in Cradle Mountain
There are only a few places offering accommodation in Cradle Mountain.
For us, Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village ticked all the boxes. We wanted self-catering accommodation to make lunches for our hikes and evening meals. We also wanted accommodation in the bush to see lots of wildlife. It was, and we did!
Other places to stay that you might like are:
Cradle Mountain Hotel - Luxury
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge - Luxury
Cradle Mountain Highlanders - Comfort
Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain - Budget
Moina is a good option for additional accommodation near Cradle Mountain. For more information, please see my post, 9 Best Cradle Mountain Accommodations for a Wilderness Break.
Wildlife in Cradle Mountain
I will honestly tell you that I didn't see much wildlife during my stay in Cradle Mountain. I had visions of kangaroos hopping about everywhere and wombats scurrying across my path as I walked. In fact, the only animals I saw were one echidna, one possum, several pademelons and lots of big black birds called Currawongs.
Despite not seeing a wombat (do they really exist!) and definitely no platypus (as displayed on various signboards near the waterfalls), I still had the best time. Cradle Mountain is one of those places where nothing can disappoint you, and it became my favourite place to visit during my 6-week trip around Australia.
Ensure you stay on the boardwalks and designated trails while in Cradle Mountain. They are there to protect the natural environment and animals from being overly disturbed by hoards of inquisitive hikers.
If you drive to Cradle Mountain at dusk, be mindful of wallabies, echidnas, and all their friends merrily wandering along in the middle of the road. I saw a lot of roadkill in Tasmania and was really affected by it, so please stick to the speed limits.
When is the best time to visit Cradle Mountain?
We visited in February, and the weather was perfect; however, the weather in Cradle Mountain can be very temperamental. Tasmania's climate differs from mainland Australia, so great care should be taken to pack the correct clothing and footwear.
Layers are the perfect answer to topsy-turvy weather patterns. Pile them on and then peel them off as needed.
Remember to wear high-factor sunscreen, as Tasmania has a thin ozone layer, and extra protection is needed. There are midges at play in Tassie, so wear a mosquito block to stop yourself from looking like a pin cushion. I forgot to apply it one morning, and midges bit my ankles to bits!
November to February are Australia's summer months, so the weather is warm, although this is peak season and sees more tourists arriving.
Autumn is a mixed bag of weather, but the landscape's changing colours are very appealing.
Winter will be cold, and you can see snow and sunshine all in one day.
Spring is also temperamental but a magical time to visit because it is when new life unfolds.
2-Night Cradle Mountain Itinerary
Day One - Morning
Driving toward the national park was something very special and will always stay with me. The scenery is awe-inspiring, and the majesty of the mountain peaks looming in the distance brings a lump to the throat.
As we drove across the bridge into the national park, we saw Pencil Pine Cascades. We parked in the Peppers Lodge car park (the start of several short walks in Cradle Mountain) and crossed the road to take photos of the waterfall from the bridge. This is precisely why we had come to this untouched wilderness - to see nature at its finest.
Cradle Mountain Enchanted Walk
We were too early to check into our cabin and were already parked, so we decided to explore the Enchanted Walk, starting by the bridge opposite the lodge. It is a leisurely 20-minute circular stroll through a moss-covered forest with ferns and the Pencil Pine River running alongside.
We spotted our first pademelon (which looks like a small kangaroo) here and were so excited! Keep an eye out for wombats in this area. We didn't see any wombats, but a ranger told us they love it here and make their burrows along the bank!
Cradle Mountain Waterfalls Walk
Back at the start of the Enchanted Walk, we took the Dove Canyon Track to see Pencil Pine Falls and Knyvet Falls. This Cradle Mountain walk takes around 40 minutes, leading to a viewing platform and seating area for Knyvet Falls. The whole track is boarded, so it is suitable for all abilities.
Our cabin at Wilderness Village
With passes sorted out, we finally got into our accommodation, and I was thrilled with our cabin. The cabins were all spaced out well, and I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, which was exactly what I wanted. A balcony with a table and chairs was the perfect place to sit and enjoy morning coffee (and, later that evening, the local wine!)
On both evenings during our stay, we were visited by a menagerie of animals: a family of pademelons, many birds, and a possum (it was the first time I had seen one, and they are big!).
One evening, the possum came onto our balcony and stared at us through the netting on the patio door. I thought it looked cute, but later, a local told me that the possum is regarded as a nuisance and causes quite a bit of damage to property. How can something with such a cute face be so naughty?
Restaurants in Cradle Mountain
After our early morning start, we spent some time in our cabin, showering and chilling. I was startled by the brown water from the taps, but the receptionist told me it was tannin from tree roots.
The colour is picked up as the water passes through from the mountains. It is harmless, but it does look weird as it cascades over you in the shower!
After our mid-afternoon rest, we went out to find somewhere to eat. Be warned; there are no fast food outlets in Cradle Mountain.
You can either eat in one of the hotels or cook for yourself (stock up on provisions in Sheffield). We returned and ate at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, where we enjoyed a pasta dish, burgers, and local cider in the sunshine on the deck, all cooked to perfection.
Day One - Evening
Meeting the Tasmanian Devils
After another wander around the area adjacent to the restaurant, hoping to spot some wildlife (we didn't see anything), we jumped back in the car and headed down the road to join the evening feeding tour at Devils@CradleMountain.
I hoped to see a wild Tasmanian devil walking around the bush, but they are low in numbers and on the endangered species list, so the best way to learn about them and see them first-hand is at this wonderful animal sanctuary.
The tour started at 5.30 pm and lasted 75 minutes. We learnt how they hunt and how facial tumours are wiping the species out. I would definitely add this to your itinerary, as you can't come to Tassie and not see a Devil in the flesh!
Day Two - Morning/Afternoon
Dove Lake Walk
I had been looking forward to the Dove Lake Walk since I first decided to plan a trip to Tasmania. I had seen its natural beauty in photographs and longed to see it myself, and now we were sitting in the Cradle Mountain shuttle bus, heading to this picturesque destination.
The vista of Dove Lake, with the two mountain peaks as a backdrop, takes your breath away. It is one of the most popular walks in Cradle Mountain and one of the most popular destinations in Tasmania.
The walk takes you around the glacial lake, through temperate rainforest, past small shingle and sand beach areas, and ancient myrtle trees. It ends at the iconic Dove Lake boatshed, a focal point that is a photographer's dream. Every part of the walk is inspirational, and I must have taken over 100 photos!
Day Two - Evening
After a fantastic day at Dove Lake, we were pretty worn out (and a little bit sunburnt!) and decided to chill out around the cabin and check out the pool table and bar in the guest area of the reception. This is also the only place to get wifi, so don't be shocked to see phones charging and guests busily texting!
We both concluded that two nights in Cradle Mountain had been the perfect amount of time for us to do everything we had wanted, with time to relax at our cabin in the wilderness.
Of course, plenty of other outdoor activities in Cradle Mountain will keep you entertained, from kayaking and canyoning to horse riding, after-dark wildlife spotting, and even scenic flights above the wilderness.
For those looking for the ultimate relaxation, the Waldheim Spa is the place to sort out those tired muscles, drift off, and dream about an enchanted place called Cradle Mountain.
Final Thoughts About Cradle Mountain
You won't be disappointed if you plan a trip to Cradle Mountain. It is one place on earth where I felt the natural world around me had remained untouched by man. I absolutely loved everything about Cradle Mountain, and if I ever get the chance to return, I will in a heartbeat.
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
On the travel wish list! Would love to visit Tasmania when we get back to Australia. A few nights in the Cradle Mountain National Park sounds like something we should plan. We would not want to miss the Tasmanian devils’ wildlife sanctuary. I can see how you would be replenished after a few days in this environment with all these great hikes.
I absolutely loved everything about Cradle Mountain and hope that you get there one day to experience it for yourself.
I love this! I was hoping to go to Tasmania the last time I was in Australia but didn't make it. You have sold me on definitely visiting next time...when I'm allowed back in the country;) And Cradle Mountain looks stunning! Thanks for sharing.
I loved this post! We spent a month in Australia only to realize we need five months to see it all! Looking forward to a return visit and Tasmania is high on the list. Thanks for putting together such a great guide. I will refer to it in our future planning.
I am glad you found it useful and I agree you can never have long enough to see Australia. I plan to go back one day and spend about 2 months just on Tasmania because I loved it so much.
One of my favourite places in Tasmania. This post brings back many happy memories. I was so excited when I saw the Tasmanian devils - a highlight.
Me too! What a noise they make when they are being fed!!