No better way to start a day in Cradle Mountain than getting up early! At 07:45 we step out of our Mountain Cabin at Discovery Holiday Parks and walk to the shuttle bus. It promises to be a day full of adventure in one of Tasmania’s most iconic national parks. The advantage of starting so early: the hiking trails are still nicely quiet!
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The weather in Cradle Mountain determines your hike
We start our hike in typical Cradle Mountain weather: misty and rainy. But don’t let that put you off – the sun only shines here about fifty days a year! It’s just part of the experience. The brochures also warn that the weather can change from sunny to snowy within 48 hours. Get advice at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Center on the best routes for that day. We also got handy tips from the nice lady at the ticket counter there, even though we already had a plan beforehand. We ended up changing our plan too. Just tell them how far you want to hike, what your plans are and that you are well prepared.
Our hiking plans
Our original plan was a solid hike along Carter Falls, Wombat Peak and Carter Lake to Marion Lookout. But around 10:15, halfway at a viewpoint, we still felt so energetic that we decided to choose a more challenging path. Via AllTrails we plotted a new route: the Face Track, continuing to the Lake Rodway Track with Dove Lake as the endpoint. This extension took us through alpine terrain with plenty of climbing and scrambling. The fun part: you literally hike right past the famous peaks of Cradle Mountain. Our downside: they were only visible through the clouds when we were almost past them. Still a really cool experience and in the end a hike of almost 5 hours over 13 kilometers.
A good plan for your hike is very welcome, because at Cradle Mountain you can go in all directions. From easy (a loop around the famous lake) to full-day hikes. Smart to do your homework via AllTrails beforehand, because you have no internet during the hike.
From hike to climbing adventure
What started as a tough hike quickly turned into what Jacco calls ‘puzzles’. How do you climb up here? And how do you get back down there safely? The trail became increasingly challenging, but fortunately the weather cleared up and the sun came out!
In the end it became a very challenging hike of 13 kilometers that took us about 5 hours – and that says enough about how tough this route was! But what an experience, with breathtaking views over rugged mountain peaks, deep river gorges and crystal-clear lakes.
Wildlife spotting in Cradle Mountain
The wildlife made our day complete! We spotted an Australian echidna during our hike. And at the end of the afternoon, after a well-deserved shower, we drove to a sanctuary (Devils @ Cradle) to see Tasmanian Devils. These unique marsupials, which only occur in Tasmania, impress with their screaming and sharp teeth! Devils@Cradle, as this sanctuary is called, is right before the park entrance and reachable by car. During the day you can just walk in or book various tours where the animals are fed.
Spotting Tasmanian devils at Cradle Mountain
The Tasmanian devil is a marsupial that only occurs in Tasmania. It is a carnivore and you notice that immediately. As soon as they become active, you hear the typical growling and screaming. Pretty impressive… and honestly a bit intimidating too! You immediately understand where their reputation comes from. Be sure to watch (and listen) to them in the video below that we made.
What I found nice here is that you see them as they really are: not as “cute animals”, but as robust predators with an important role in the ecosystem. They clean up carcasses and keep nature in balance.
And then there was still a surprise.
In search of wombats
We also saw a Quoll, a predator from the same family as the Tasmanian Devil in the sanctuary. These are much cuter than their famous cousin! Unfortunately we couldn’t spot a Wombat in the wild. We did see plenty of ‘traces’ of their poop, but the animals themselves stayed well hidden. Fortunately we did see one sleeping in the sanctuary.
Practical tips for your visit to Cradle Mountain
- Buy your park pass in advance, it is mandatory for park access. You also need the park pass for other parks in Tasmania. Additionally you need to buy access to Cradle Mountain (with shuttle bus service) for $15 per person. That’s a little over €9 per person.
- Bring clothing for all weather conditions – the weather can change here in no time. It is alpine area and therefore much colder than where you start from!
- Start hiking early for the best experience. Around noon the park was full of tourists who mainly come for the ‘easy’ viewpoints.
- Check the shuttle bus times in advance. It runs from 8 to 18 o’clock and every 10 minutes.
- Download the AllTrails app for reliable route maps or to make a plan. The routes are well marked themselves.
- Bring enough water and snacks. If you go on a longer hike, you will quickly be walking for 3 to 6 hours.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes, especially for the challenging trails.
Go discover Cradle Mountain!
Was Cradle Mountain worth the visit? Absolutely! Even though we didn’t have perfect weather conditions, the combination of rugged nature, challenging hikes and unique wildlife makes this an unforgettable stop on your trip through Tasmania. And that Mountain Cabin within walking distance? Perfect to recover from all that climbing!
By the way, are you traveling with a camper or tent? You can also do very well at the campsites near the park.
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