Dove Lake Walk in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park Tasmania is one of Australia’s most beautiful nature walks and will forever hold a special place in my heart.
The walk was my first introduction to the absolute natural beauty of Tasmania.
It was also where I got the chance to connect with the great outdoors, with myself and share a magical experience with my adult son. Because of these things, I believe it to be the best walk I have ever done.
We were travelling through Australia on a 6-week road trip, part of our longer 3-month world trip, and were visiting Tasmania on an 8-day road trip.
I had worked into our itinerary a 2-night stay in Cradle Mountain, and the Dove Lake Walk was high on my list of things to do in Tasmania.
Dove Lake Walk is deep inside Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a World Heritage Site.
Dove Lake is a 6km loop route, and a walk around Dove Lake will take around 2 -3 hours to complete.
However, if you keep stopping to admire the view and take photographs like us, then it may take a lot longer!
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Useful Information About Dove Lake
How to Get to Dove Lake
The first part of the journey to Dove Lake starts at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Transit Terminal.
A shuttle bus service takes walkers to the Dove Lake car park to protect and preserve the area by limiting how many vehicles enter the park.
Tickets are free with a valid National Parks Pass, which can be bought at the visitor centre and is valid either for 24 hours or two months if staying in Tasmania for a while.
The park shuttle runs seven days a week at regular intervals, and no private vehicles are allowed into Dove Lake while the shuttle is running.
Our Circuit Walk Around Dove Lake
We jumped off the shuttle bus and headed to the left-hand side of the car park, the starting point for the Dove Lake walking route.
No sooner had we started the route than a group of people were huddled together, looking into the bush. Being nosey onlookers, we stopped to see what the commotion was all about.
To our delight, we saw it was an echidna – the long-nosed hedgehog-like creature indigenous to Australia.
Our first encounter with an echidna in Australia had been on Kangaroo Island, and we had marvelled at seeing a creature that, before that moment, we hadn’t even known existed.
We had previously been to Kangaroo Island and now felt we were experts on Australian wildlife.
Donning our nature guide caps, we told the onlookers what this spiky curled-up ball was called- David Attenborough would have been proud of us!
After the excitement of our unscheduled wildlife encounter, we embarked on the Dove Lake trail.
Within minutes, we were mesmerised by the stunning visuals unfurling before us.
Boarded walkways led us through the rainforest and ever-changing myriad of flora and fauna, while the sight of Cradle Mountain in the distance and glacial Dove Lake thrilled us.
This must be a national park for the people for all time. It is magnificent, and people must know about it and enjoy it.
Gustav Weindorfer – TasmaniAN Botanist
Dove Lake Beaches
Along the way, several gravel beaches tempted us to the water’s edge.
But why was the water a strange brown colour?
We discovered it is because of the tree roots’ tannin that the water runs past that turns it this colour. It’s harmless!
Dove Lake beaches are a great spot to take photographs, but make sure to wear insect repellant as my ankles became a lunchtime snack for flying beasties.
Of course, this was the one afternoon I had forgotten to put Mosquito Milk on my body, and the result later that night was red and itching bite marks – you have been warned!
Halfway around Dove Lake, we found ourselves directly in the shadow of the two mighty pinnacles of Cradle Mountain.
This is one of the most famous destinations in Tasmania.
The temperature had ramped up, and we were getting pretty hot.
A welcome sight was a bench where we plonked ourselves for a while to enjoy the picnic lunch we had brought.
Discovering the Ballroom Forest
Back on the trail, we came upon the magnificent cool temperate rainforest called the Ballroom Forest.
It is home to ancient myrtle trees and, combined with the vivid green moss growing over tree stumps and branches, makes this area look and feel quite eerie.
We half expected some strange woodland creature to come lumbering out of the forest.
The last quarter of the walk has some moderate elevation changes and quite a few steps – this might make it more challenging for some walkers.
We had to assist the ranger with rescuing a gentleman hiking Dove Lake on his 100th birthday.
His legs gave way, and he couldn’t make it up the steps at the end of the circuit, so be sure your fitness will allow you to cope. The ranger commandeered a speed boat that raced across the lake.
He gathered up the elderly gentleman and returned him to flatter ground on the opposite shore.
He certainly had the 100th birthday to remember. We thought how marvellous it was that he chose to do the Dove Lake Walk on such a poignant day.
Thankfully we reached the top of the steps and found a bench waiting for us.
From this point, there are fantastic views back to Cradle Mountain, towering resplendent above the lake, and this is your reward for completing the Dove Lake walk.
Dove Lake’s Iconic Boathouse
The Dove Lake walk finishes in the car park near the iconic Dove Lake boathouse.
The boathouse once stored Huon pine pleasure boats to take passengers around the lake.
It was built in the 1940s by Lionell Connell, the first ranger at Cradle Mountain.
This is now the best vantage point to capture the most beautiful photograph of the boathouse, Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain all in one frame.
If you have ever seen photos of Dove Lake, it will have no doubt been taken from this spot, but don’t expect to have it to yourself – we had to wait 10 minutes for our chance to snap away without anybody being in our photograph!
We queued for about 5 minutes in the car park and then returned on the park shuttle to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.
We had totally fallen in love with Dove Lake, and back at the cabin, Dominic said it had been the best walk he had ever done.
And to think that morning, he was questioning whether he even wanted to do it. Mum always knows best!
How to Extend the Dove Lake Walk
If you have good fitness levels and want to make your Dove Lake walk longer, there is an option. You can hike up to the 1200m glacial plateau called Marion’s Lookout.
This steep direct ascent is towards the finish of the Dove Lake Circuit. It gives you an elevated view over Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake.
We didn’t attempt Marion’s Lookout as we decided it might be too challenging for us.
Wildlife in Dove Lake
Sadly apart from the echidna at the start of our walk, we didn’t see any more wildlife.
We continually scanned the bush for sightings of a wallaby, wombat, or even a Tasmanian devil but saw nothing.
Cradle Mountain is jam-packed with wildlife, but it didn’t want to show up for us.
We did have a few sightings of pademelons by our lodge and on the Enchanted Walk near Pencil Pine Creek.
Dove Lake Walk Top Tips
Make sure you have plenty of water and a snack on this walk. The cafe at the Visitor Centre sells provisions for walkers, including energy bars.
The closest drinking water and toilet facilities are in the car park at the start of the walk.
Don’t forget to wear mosquito repellant – they are present around the edge of the water. I didn’t think there would be any mosquitos in Tasmania, but unfortunately, there are!
Layer your clothing to control your body’s temperature – it can get hot on the walk.
Wear a hat and sunglasses – protection from the sun’s rays.
Always apply sunscreen of at least 30SPF, even if it’s cloudy, and keep reapplying during the day.
Remember you are in Tasmania, and this hemisphere’s ozone layer is thin!
Need-To-Know Driving Distances to Cradle Mountain
Devonport to Cradle Mountain takes 1.5 hours
Launceston to Cradle Mountain takes 2 hours
Hobart to Cradle Mountain takes 4 hours
Where to Stay in Cradle Mountain
I can recommend Cradle Mountain Wilderness Lodge. We stayed in a self-catering cabin with a balcony overlooking eucalyptus trees.
We could sit and watch different animals come and go each day, including a resident, pademelon and Joey.
Cradle Mountain Hotel is the one for you if you want modern comfort. We ate dinner on the outside terrace and had a great view of the surroundings.
An outstanding property near the National Park is Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. It commands outstanding views of the wilderness and a small lake – a great location for wildlife lovers.
Discovery Parks are the only budget-type of accommodation in Cradle Mountain.
Other Walks in Cradle Mountain
The Visitor Information Centre at the park entrance provides details on Cradle Mountain walks and other visitor activities.
Check out the National Parks guide to 60 great short walks in Tasmania.
Please Pin for Future Travel to Australia
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Alison
Wednesday 31st of March 2021
This sounds fabulous, exactly my kind of outing. And for sure I'd be climbing up to Marion's Lookout. Lovely photos. The only time I've been to Tas was when I was 7 so I don't remember much.
Sue
Sunday 28th of March 2021
Wow! What a beautiful walk this looks & how amazing to be able to share it with your son. I have visited Australia many times but never made it to Tasmania. Clearly, I need to next time & when I do I will definitely have this walk on my itinerary. Thank you for highlighting.
WhereAngieWanders
Monday 29th of March 2021
Tasmania is very different from mainland Australia and definitely worth a visit.
Nic Peters
Saturday 20th of March 2021
What a stunning walk this must have been and what an amazing experience to share with your son! I couldn’t think of anything better than jetting off to the other side of the world to experience the wonders that the great outdoors has to offer. I guess the cold and windy Kentish coastline will have to do for now!
WhereAngieWanders
Saturday 20th of March 2021
I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Tasmania is visually stunning and this walk was so special. Hope the weather in Kent cheers up soon!