Cradle Mountain Adventure

Cradle Mountain Adventure

Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake offer superb natural beauty, wildlife and Tasmania’s premier day walking opportunities on this tour day designed for the active traveller.  Experience ancient rainforests, alpine heaths, glacial lakes, rugged mountains and close encounters with our local wildlife.

Cradle Mountain’s jagged silhouette is unmistakable. Standing 1,545 metres above sea level amongst glacial lakes, alpine moorland and UNESCO World Heritage listed wilderness, this iconic mountain is pure untamed Tassie.

Our journey to Cradle Mountain

After leaving Launceston we stop in Sheffield, a quirky rural village, in the foothills of the mountains. Known as the town of murals, it is Tasmania’s own outdoor art gallery, featuring over 100 paintings covering the walls of buildings across the town.  The artwork tells the story of the Cradle Mountain region, making it a great taster of what’s ahead before we continue into the mountains.

Explore Cradle Mountain

Arriving in Cradle Mountain National Park, we begin our adventure with an easy guided walk to Pencil Pine Falls, a stunning cascade of pristine water, although our guides may choose another of the short walks as we enter the park, depending on conditions and the group.

After that it’s on to our main walk of the day, with two options to choose from: the Dove Lake Circuit or the harder hike uphill to Marions Lookout.

Walking options

The Dove Lake Circuit is a comfortable 6 kilometre circumnavigation of the glassy lake that sits beneath Cradle Mountain, and one of the premier walks in Tasmania. It is classified as a moderate walk. Along the way you’ll pass buttongrass, myrtle, sassafras, fagus and King Billy pine, with epic views throughout.

If you’re looking for a challenge, take on the steep climb to Marions Lookout, which sit’s at 1,200 metres. It rewards you with breathtaking 360 degree views of Cradle Mountain, Little Horn, Smithies Peak and so many mirrored lakes and the surrounding World Heritage wilderness area.

Lunch with the wombats!

We stop along the way for a lunch break, enjoy a rest by a quiet stream, watch the famous and friendly Cradle wombats in their natural habitat, or take the time to photograph the  landscapes.  Learn some of the local history as we visit Weindorfer’s Chalet and see the ancient King Billy Pines on Weindorfer’s Forest Walk.

Return with a delicious Tasmanian snack!

On our return journey to Launceston, we stop to at Van Dieman's Ice Creamery and Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm for well-earned treats crafted from the finest Tasmanian dairy and produce. A sweet end to a heavenly day.

We return to Launceston around 5.30pm. 

Cradle Mountain is the backdrop for a truly memorable and not to be missed Tasmanian experience.

“This must be a National Park for the people for all time. It is magnificent, and people must know about it and enjoy it.”‍ ‍

So declared Gustav Weindorfer from the summit of Cradle Mountain in 1910.