Are you planning a trip to Cradle Mountain and looking for the best accommodations? This article highlights the best places to stay in Cradle Mountain to suit all holiday budgets.
If you have arrived at this post, I guess you are planning a trip to one of the most extraordinary places in Australia, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The Tasmanian wilderness has fantastic walks, spectacular views, beautiful waterfalls and native wildlife, all nestled in a Unesco-listed heritage site.
Cradle Mountain has such a unique wilderness setting that Cradle Mountain accommodation is limited. Of course, that’s a good thing as it keeps the beautiful scenery untouched by development, meaning the great outdoors can be enjoyed by future generations and the wildlife that calls Cradle Mountain their home.
The flip side is that there are only five places to stay in Cradle Mountain, with five more properties slightly further afield in Moina.
But don’t let that deter you; the variety of accommodation in Cradle Mountain is of an excellent standard and caters to all budgets.
From luxury Cradle Mountain accommodation with king-sized beds, cosy fireplaces and a hot tub to comfortable standard rooms like those in the Cradle Mountain Highlanders cottages, you will find the perfect place for your needs in this alpine wilderness.
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My Stay in Cradle Mountain at Wilderness Village
I spent 2 Nights in Cradle Mountain and booked into one of the wood cabins in Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village. It was a great place to spend a few nights surrounded by the natural beauty of the forest and was in close proximity to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.
We wanted self-catering accommodation to make lunches to take with us on our hikes and to prepare our evening meals. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village was a good option as it had a fully equipped kitchen in the cabin.
We also wanted our Cradle Mountain accommodation to be in the heart of the wilderness to see the wildlife and feel close to nature. We chose the best place for that and got more than we bargained for with regular visitors, including a pademelon and joey, a possum and several crows. Sitting on our small balcony with a glass of wine and watching the wildlife go about their business was fabulous!
Having somewhere to prepare food in our cabin was great, but be aware that there are few food shops in Cradle Mountain, so buy provisions before you arrive.
The last shops before Cradle Mountain are Sheffield, the town of murals, or Deloraine (coming from Hobart, Launceston or Devonport), Burnie (coming from Wynyard or Stanley), and Rosebery (coming from Strahan or Queenstown).
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village doesn’t have the strongest WIFI signal, but with all the beautiful scenery around, you won’t want to look at your phone for too long.
There is a communal lounge area with a small bar and a pool table where you can chill out in the evening (and get a slightly better WIFI signal than in your cabin).
Best Places to Stay in Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village – comfort option #1
Availability and pricing for Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village
Wooden cabins are scattered in secluded positions in the bush. The Wilderness Village properties have a spacious living area, separate bedrooms (in 2-bed cabins), a dining table, and a kitchen.
A bar and pool table are on-site, great for a friendly evening game, and Hellyer’s restaurant offers light bites.
Nearby is Devils@Cradle, where you can see Tasmanian Devils and learn more about them. You are also close to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, where daily tours and hikes start.
Address: Cradle Mountain Road, 7310 Cradle Mountain, TAS
Cradle Mountain Hotel – luxury option #2
Availability and pricing for Cradle Mountain Hotel
This alpine-themed hotel with lots of wood, glass and an open fire provides comfortable Cradle Mountain accommodation.
Rooms are more functional than luxurious but still deserve the hotel’s four-star rating. Deluxe spa rooms have a corner spa bath perfect for soothing tired limbs after a day in Cradle Mountain. They also include tea and coffee-making facilities and a buffet-style breakfast.
The hotel has laundry facilities, perfect if you are on a Tasmania Road Trip and have a case full of dirty clothes to wash!
Altitude restaurant serves hearty food for weary adventurers, ranging from a buffet breakfast to an a la carte evening menu.
Cradle Mountain Hotel offers guests tours such as the Park Explorer Tour, including a walk around the iconic Dove Lake. This glacial lake is Cradle Mountain’s biggest attraction.
Address: 3718 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, TAS
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge – luxury option #3
Availability and pricing for Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
If you are looking for luxury accommodation in Cradle Mountain, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge will be perfect. It is on the main road into Cradle Mountain and within walking distance of the Enchanted Trail and King Billy Trail.
Enjoy a stay in a luxurious Spa Suite or one of the top-of-the-range King Billy Suites featuring private hot tubs, wood fireplaces and outstanding wilderness views.
Contemporary pencil pine cabins allow guests to book a stay at Peppers without blowing the budget. They have all the modern comforts needed for a wilderness stay, including a queen bed, wood-fire-look gas fire and a minibar.
This family-friendly hotel features two restaurants, a rustic tavern bar, various lodges scattered around the property and the Waldheim Alpine Spa for that well-deserved therapeutic massage after a day on the hiking trails.
Highland Restaurant serves incredible Tasmanian food, focusing on using the freshest ingredients for its dishes.
Waldheim Day Spa opens from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including public holidays. It has a dedicated therapeutic area known as The Sanctuary, which features a sauna, steam room, hot tub, ice plunge pool, and a relaxation lounge.
Within steps of Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, you’ll find the Enchanted Walk (a short walk great for all ages) and the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, where you can buy park tickets and arrange tours.
Address: 4038 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain TAS
Cradle Mountain Highlanders – comfort option #4
Availability and pricing for Cradle Mountain Highlanders
Sixteen hand-built rustic cabins provide comfortable Cradle Mountain accommodation for visitors to the National Park.
Cabins are unique, with names like Buttongrass Cabin and Woodsmoke Cabin, and cater to couples and families. The cabins offer views of the wilderness and the mountains.
Interiors feature full working kitchens; some have wood-burning stoves, perfect for year-round use.
Cradle Mountain Highlanders are a five-minute walk away from the information centre.
Address: 3876 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain TAS
Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain – budget option #5
Availability and pricing for Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain
Rustic style accommodation consists of cabins with bunk beds sleeping up to six, communal meeting areas and washing machines for that essential post-hike wash.
For solo travellers, single rooms or a communal dormitory are available.
There is also a powered site for motorhomes and an unpowered site for tent camping.
Discovery Parks accommodation is on the edge of world-heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park and is perfect for travellers looking for a budget-friendly Cradle Mountain accommodation
This is where the famous Overland Track starts, covering 161,000 hectares.
Address: Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain TAS 7310
Tasmania Wilderness Accommodation in Moina
If you aren’t too bothered about being close to the awesome Cradle Mountain or your first choice isn’t available when you want it, then there are a few places slightly further away in Moina, a 35-minute drive from the central hub of Cradle Mountain National Park.
Tiny Escapes Cradle Valley #6
Availability and pricing for Tiny Escapes Cradle Valley
If your idea of spending time in the wilderness is to disconnect from the outside world, then Tiny Escapes will be your idea of Nirvana.
Located within 260 acres of temperate Tasmanian rainforest, these tiny chalets give you a unique place to stay near Cradle Mountain.
They are off-grid but don’t compromise on style and comfort – in fact, you might not want to leave!
Many walking trails can be found nearby, including the access track to Bridal Veil Falls.
Address: 2010 Cradle Mountain Road, 7310 Moina, TAS
Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat #7
Availability and pricing for Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat
The award-winning boutique Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat is nestled amongst peaceful rainforest surroundings and features Whispering Woods a la carte restaurant open daily for breakfast and dinner.
Lemonthyme offers spacious self-contained cabins, luxury spa suites, two-bedroom family cabins, or romantic tree-top hideaways with mountain or wilderness views.
A 2-hour walk around Lake Cethana starts at Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat.
Address: 770 Dolcoath Rd, Moina TAS 7310, Australia
Cradle Forest Inn #8
Availability and pricing for Cradle Forest Inn
Cradle Forest Inn is a boutique retreat in 18 acres of natural wilderness.
Secluded individual luxury Chalets, Deluxe Suites, and Cradle Forest Inn Lodge offer the guests a fabulous getaway experience.
At Feathers Bistro, hearty meals and snacks are made with the freshest seasonal produce from the region.
Address: 1422 Cradle Mountain Rd, Moina TAS 7310, Australia
Cradle Alpine Retreat #9
Availability and pricing for Cradle Alpine Retreat
Cradle Alpine Retreat is a small property with only four self-contained wooden cabins.
All cabins have a well-equipped kitchen, with one log fire cabin and two spa bath cabins.
The property has beautiful views of Mount Roland and Mount Claude.
There is no on-site restaurant, but guests who want to eat out can dine at Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat or drive into Cradle Mountain to eat at one of the hotels in the National Park.
There are plenty of walks to do in Moina, or a short drive will take you to Sheffield, Australia’s town of murals.
1429 Cradle Mountain Rd, Moina TAS 7310, Australia
Wombat Cabin #10
Availability and pricing for Wombat Cabin
A secluded cabin for two in the bush with an upstairs bedroom, kitchen and living with a log-burning fire.
2279 Cradle Mountain Rd, Moina TAS 7310, Australia
Where To Eat in Cradle Mountain
There are four onsite restaurants and one café within the Cradle Mountain area.
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge offers a la carte dining at its Highland Restaurant and basic meals at the Tavern. I ate at the Tavern and found the food to be delicious.
The Cradle Mountain Hotel offers a la carte dining at its Altitude Restaurant.
Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, Hellyers Restaurant offers sharing plates for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.
Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre Cafe is open daily for lunch or a snack. It is always wise to take a protein bar or similar when hiking.
Cradle Mountain Tours
Whichever property you stay in, you can be assured that you will leave Cradle Mountain feeling renewed and with a more profound respect for the surrounding wilderness.
It was a unique experience to visit Cradle Mountain, and it was a place like no other I have seen (and believe me, I’ve visited many places!). Once you have been, I am sure it will hold a special place in your heart like it has in mine.
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