All walkers wanting to access surrounding tracks will need to depart in an anti-clockwise direction (heading west towards the Boat Shed) from the Dove Lake Shelter. Dove Lake Circuit: At the foot of Cradle Mountain - See 2,112 traveller reviews, 1,735 candid photos, and great deals for Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Do you have a shuttle bus between the hotel and the Visitor Centre? This means youre free to follow the example routes they provide or, if youre feeling adventurous, map out your own. This limits the amount of vehicles driving on the narrow roads within the park. At the far end of Dove Lake is where the climb begins. Other invertebrates, such as the pencil pine moth, reveal even more ancient links to the super-continent Pangea. In 1827 the explorer, Joseph Fossey, named Cradle Mountain because he thought it bore a similarity to a miners cradle. Note there isn't a connecting road from the Northern and Southern ends of the park and to get here you will need to head in from the North. Youre very much not. Discovery Parks | This Australia-wide chain of holiday parks is the only budget-friendly option in the area, offering powered and unpowered campsites, dormitories and basic cottages for larger groups. Basically, you'll want to head up Cradle Mountain Road (only accessible from the North of Tasmania). The total time for this huge day trip is around 14-15 hours, which will give you plenty of time to explore the National Park and the early departure is perfect since you won't be wasting any precious daylight hours. Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus Visitor Survey If it happens to you that boom bar doesnt open, try reversing a short way and then driving a little more deliberately and close to the gate. Private vehicle access is not permitted during shuttle bus operating times. Dove Lake Circuit in Cradle Mountain Hiking Guide (Tasmania), 11 Unmissable Things to do on Bruny Island Tasmania in 2023. Check here for more info. For whatever reason, they dont just raise the boom gate after hours, but youd be surprised at how often this issue ocurrs. The shuttle operates "frequently" between 9:00am and 5:00pm in winter (from 1 April to 30 September) and 8:00am to 6:00pm over summer (1 October to 31 March). Iconic Cradle Mountain is a place of exceptional natural beauty in the heart of the All of the routes do seem to meet up and cross over at various points. Theres free parking, which is super convenient and the on-site tour desk can arrange guided walks in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The starting point for this Cradle Mountain summit walk is the car park closest to Dove Lake. o. Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus Choice Model (2013 . Bus tickets are needed to board the shuttle. Youll quickly notice that there are absolutely no rubbish bins anywhere around Cradle Mountain National Park. Nearby homes similar to 2012 Cradle Mountain Dr #1 have recently sold between $301K to $301K at an average of $325 per square foot. Cradle Valley BoardwalkDistance: 12kmTime: 3 hoursDifficulty: EasyA beautiful buttongrass boardwalk trail through Cradle Mountain wilderness. McDermotts offer an exclusive fully guided tour for individual groups which includes acomprehensive commentary and apick up and drop off at all Cradle Mountain locations. Thanks for your support. For Sale: 9 Cradle Hill Ln #9, Grantham, NH 03753 $80,000 MLS# 4818981 Beautiful end of cul-de-sac location to build your new home. Of course, from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, youll find an array of exceptional walks. Cradle Mountain and its various summit walks can be found within the beautiful Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, in inner northwest Tasmania. Cradle MountainLake St Clair National Park became a part of the Bruny Island Tours ; Cradle Mountain Tours ; . The shuttle bus service will be the main way you get around Cradle Mountain, it is reliable and very efficiently run. It operates between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm from April to September, and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm from October to March. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service manage Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, which is open from 8am7pm in the summer (October-March) and 8.30am4.30pm in the winter (April- Sep). Please note that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Luckily, wed started early enough in the day to not have this problem on our way up. But its certainly possible to set your sights higher and enjoy the dawn light from one of the upper ridgelines. Overland track transport from Launceston, Hobart and Devonport to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre for the start of the . Overland Track Transport: Great service - See 393 traveler reviews, 25 candid photos, and great deals for Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village | We stayed in an amazing self-catering cabin at this property with a balcony looking straight out across the eucalypts. The park is home to the world-famous Overland Track; a trail which consists of 65km and six days of breathtaking hikes. The Dove Lake Circuit walk to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania comes highly rated, with a recommendation to walk the loop in a clockwise direction. This is traditionally the route you would take up to the summit if you werent combining it with the Dove Lake Circuit. Time limit is exhausted. This worked virtually every time, often after wed all sat there in a line like fools waiting for 15 minutes. In this short guide, Ill detail everything you need to know about how to get to Cradle Mountain. COVID-19 Essential Information . This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. There is a free Cradle Mountain shuttle included in the National Park Pass that has several stops and terminates at Dove Lake. But of course, to summit Cradle Mountain itself is hard to beat. Access to Cradle Mountain is via the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre from where the Cradle Mountain shuttle runs to Dove Lake and intermediary stops. In 2003-2004, it operated as a free service and involved multiple buses running at . Its not unusual to see snow in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, especially at the peak of Cradle Mountain. Take the short Weindorfers Forest Walk and learn about the fascinating history of the rustic Waldheim Chalet and Gustav Weindorfer, the founding father of Cradle MountainLake St Clair National Park. In 1910 from the summit of Cradle Mountain, Gustav proclaimed "This must be a national park for the people for all time.". Speed hiking was easy in this section, for obvious flat reasons. sealed and wheelchair accessible, but after the bridge there are Cradle Mountain has numerous short and long hikes. Write by: . Basic grocery items are available at the Discovery Holiday Parks reception. The Rainforest Walk, (starting at In order to enter the park and use the shuttle bus to see the mountain, you must buy a Parks pass. It is also by far the most popular Cradle Mountain walk - during peak season this lake can receive up to 9,000 visits per day. 71, 72, 73, Blue, Red, Shuttle. walk for all ages. If you miss the last bus, you'd have to walk the 15 km out. A place for all seasons, discover deep snowdriftsin winter, spectacular displays of yellows, oranges and reds across the mountain slopes in autumn as Tasmanias deciduous Fagus turns colour, playful young joeys and hungry echidnas emerging in spring, and the fragrance of wildflowers filling the air as you dip your toe into a crystal-clear lake on a summers day. The Shuttle Bus Service operates on aregular schedule from the Cradle Mt Visitors Centre into Dove Lake and returns all year round however operating hours and frequency will vary depending on the time of theyear. We managed to pick up the speed hiking again, which obviously feels a little easier on the legs coming downhill too. The Enchanted Walk, starting about And of course, Dan and I, like yourselves, were no different. Below are the three ways for how to get to Cradle Mountain. Tip: Best Way to Get to Cradle Mountain Without a Car, Option 3: Book a Private Charter to Cradle Mountain, FAQS About Getting to Cradle Mountain Tasmania, Best Tours and Activities to book at Cradle Mountain, More Tasmanian Travel Guides and Adventure Inspiration, 11 Awesome Things to do in Launceston in 2023 (Tasmania), 26 Incredible Waterfalls in Tasmania - The Tassie Waterfall Guide, 36 Must-Do Hikes in Tasmania: The Ultimate Tasmania Hiking Guide, 62 Best Things to do in Tasmania: 2023 Travel Guide (Australia), 8 Awesome Things to do at Strahan & the West Coast (Tasmania), Boat Harbour Tasmania - A Must-Visit Tassie Gem, Dove Lake Circuit in Cradle Mountain - Hiking Guide (Tasmania). There are eight very comfortable cabins to choose from, with separate amenities blocks located close by. Vehicle access into the park is only permitted outside of shuttle bus operating hours. The one I recommend is the highest-rated in Launceston and includes heaps more than just the transport. Holiday Passes cover entry to all national parks and include the use of the shuttle bus at Cradle Mountain. You can look into which national park pass is best for you here, where youll find all up to date prices and pass options. Lake St Clair and is an unforgettable journey through Tasmanias alpine heart. Cradle Mountain Highlanders | This well-situated property amongst the trees offers up charming mountain cabins adorned with rustic wood detailing and equipped with a fireplace and kitchenette. Crater Lake Circuit Distance: 6kmTime: 2 hoursDifficulty: ModerateA moderate walk around the alpine lakes of Cradle Mountain, including Dove Lake, Lilla Lake, Wombat Pool and Crater Lake. You can get this at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre 2 km before the park entrance; buy it online or on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry; or at a Tasmanian Travel Information Centre or Service Tasmania shop like the ones in Launceston, Deloraine and Sheffield. If you don't have your own car, then you'll be in for a shock. Combining nature's intelligence and power of touch, our spa and massage therapies mirror the balanced beauty of Cradle Mountain. If you want to hang around at the summit for a while, which you should given how much you put into getting there, then make sure you have some warm clothes to put on. Discover a wilderness adventure on our Cradle Mountain Tours. Gaze at Cradle mountain and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre car park, there's a shuttle bus running to and from Dove Lake to begin hiking Cradle Mountain. Yes, this is costly; however, funds are reinvested in the upkeep of the parks and reserves. We are the co-founders of Travel Made Me Do It a website dedicated to publishing comprehensive travel guides. See below for up-to-date prices. Rental Car | Cradle Mountain National Park lies 140km from Launceston and 320km from Hobart and renting a car is an ideal way to explore Tasmania and Cradle Mountain National Park and offers the freedom to explore the park at your own pace outside the opening hours. Large males weigh up to 12 kg, and stand about 30 cm high at the shoulder. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But be warnedyoull be left wanting more. Out on the trails, youll more than likely see the full collection of Aussie cuties echidna, pademelons, wallabies, wombats and, if youre really lucky, the elusive platypus. Among the many attractions to Cradle Mountain is its flora and fauna, the most talked about of which is the wombat. The total drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain is 150 km (2.5 hours). Around dusk, wombats emerge from their burrows in full force, as do wallabies and pademelons, and its not unusual to find them waddling across the road in a slight daze from their daytime slumber in search of an evening meal. Tasmania Day Tours . Cradle Mountain Highlanders have a communal barbecue area and laundry facilities and is conveniently located close to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre shuttle terminus. Most of these trips are organised day tours with set agendas. Includes the best options with tips for making the most of the experience in Cradle Country. Below I've included the best-rated and most recommended options for how to get to Cradle Mountain via a shuttle. However, it's often more economical just to buy a Holiday or Annual Pass if you're looking to spend a bit more time in National Parks in Tassie. Features the well known craggy profile of Cradle Mountain and popular Overland Track linking Cradle Valley to Lake St Clair. Cradle Mountain is home to some of the most diverse and outstanding landscapes in Tasmania. Instead, theres the option for private shuttle and transfers, which well also cover should you not have access to your own set of wheels. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you miss the last bus, you'd have to walk the 15 km out. Due to these closures, walkers will not be able to walk the full Dove Lake Circuit, however there is still access to Dove Lake via exiting the viewing shelter internally on the rampedwalkway or externally via the sealed boat ramp road. Uncover the colourful history of the Weindorfers. The mountain itself occupies the northern end of the national park, towering over picture-perfect glacial lakes such as Dove Lake, which is the starting point for the summit walk to Cradle Mountain. Expect a 1.5-hour drive from Devonport and 2.5 hour trip from Launceston via Sheffield. These will be easy to spot as theyll always be fellow hikers hovering about them. Cradle Mountain can be reached very easily from the towns of Launceston and Devenport, making these popular destinations from which to walk. If youre planning on spending the day hiking here, which we hope you are, then here are a few essentials we recommend and you may want to consider. Check rates and availability here. If your plans arent fixed and youve got some flexibility in your itinerary, dont hesitate to make a beeline for Cradle Mountain if it looks like youll have a clear window, otherwise, keep an eye on the weather and leave the clearest days for the bigger hikes. The tricky part about getting to there is finding a way to the Visitor Centre. This campsite boasts a beautiful lakefront location and very reasonable rates for a nights stay. Youll even spot Lake Lilla and Dove Lake down below. The Cradle Mountain region is an area of marked geological contrasts, shaped by glacial erosion and deposition over the past two million years. A free shuttle bus takes visitors into the park and if you choose to walk part of the way the shuttle will pick you up at various points along the road. Dont worry. Admittedly, if youre planning on the walk to Cradle Mountain on the same day as leaving from Hobart, youre looking at a very early start. The easiest way to move about the park is by free Cradle Mountain shuttle bus. From moss-covered ancient rainforests and deep river gorges to snow-covered mountain peaks, wild alpine moorlands and glacial lakes, the park is revered for its diverse and breath-taking landscapes. If you're coming from the mainland, then it often works out cheaper to book your car or camper on board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Devonport. Please reload CAPTCHA. Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our Know before you go section. When visiting alpine areasyou should include at a minimum, in addition to your basic walking gear, a waterproof jacket with hood and storm front (seam sealed and breathable fabric, Gore-Tex or similar), waterproof over trousers (seam sealed and breathable fabric, Gore-Tex or similar),sturdy walking bootsandwarm clothing (a fleece or woollen jumper, thermal base layers, hat and gloves). Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in 1982. Below are the three ways for how to get to Cradle Mountain. Indeed, the panoramic views are ridiculously good. From here the hike becomes quite steep as you ascend this section of the trail to Cradle Mountain. We offer a transfer to Cradle Mountain from Launceston and available as another product. The PWS Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus and Visitor Survey indicated most visitors were pretty happy with their entire experience of visiting the Cradle Mountain area and there is scope for increasing the capacity of the shuttle bus service if this is considered desirable. A new shuttle bus terminal was constructed in 2020 as part of the new Visitor Centre and McDermott's Coaches have invested in a new fleet of buses, specifically for the Cradle shuttle. Next, well look at some alternative routes to summit Cradle Mountain, as well as some other fantastic hikes to do in the area. After hitching a ride on the shuttle bus from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, youll alight at Dove Lake Car Park. But, if you only have a day, like us, then we can wholeheartedly recommend hiking this same route. Our Discovery Rangers will be hosting a number of activities open to all ages. It serves as a backdrop for the iconic Overland Track, an inspiring six-day walk that winds between ancient rainforests, alpine heaths and glacial lakes. When people refer to Cradle Mountain, they're referring to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. These investments suggest that the cableway concept had been abandoned, only to resurface recently. And if you count all the different variations there are in summitting Cradle Mountain alone, this grows considerably. With early morning pick-ups starting from 6:15am from Launceston CBD, Overland Track Transport arrives at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre at approx. Dove Lake and its insta-famous boatshed are the obvious choice as theyre easy to access at any hour, offer up clear views toward the twin peaks and, if youre lucky, youll get a perfect reflection to capture.
