When people think of Tasmania often what comes to mind is the kooky whirling dervish cartoon character arriving in a tornado of dust with a high pitched shriek – yup ,you guessed right, the Tasmanian Devil!! And of course, everyone coming to Tassie wants to catch a glimpse of the iconic creature but they have a reputation for being, well, really quite elusive! However, with a bit of luck (and patience), you have a good chance of seeing (and hearing) a Tasmanian Devil right in the heart of Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National Park! That in itself would lure a good many people to this stunning Tasmanian beauty spot. 

However, what the region is more famed for is its breathtaking landscape including pristine lakes, rugged mountains and ancient rainforest. This is a place where fresh air fills your lungs at every breath, making you want to sing with joy and feel like an extra from ‘The Sound of Music’! 

Located a little over mid-way between Launceston and Devonport, Cradle Mountain is the jewel of Tasmania’s many beautiful wilderness areas and one that definitely should not be missed. The area was elegantly created (for that is the only way to put it) in all its splendour as a result of a 6km ice cap forming during the last ice age and the glaciers that flowed forth carved the dramatic landscape that you see today. Cradle Mountain was named in 1827 by the explorer Joseph Fossey, who decided that the mountain bore a striking resemblance to a cradle. 

The National Park covers an area of 124 942 ha and holds over 25 peaks, making it a trekkers paradise. There are walks for all ages and levels of fitness though, from gentle 1 or 2 hour ambles for families right up to the challenging ‘Overland Track’ that will take you a week or more. One thing all the walks have in common though? They showcase some of the most magnificent natural backdrops you’re ever likely to come across. This is nature at its very best. 

The captivating beauty of this World Heritage area will surely cast its spell over you and if you’re in the region during April to May, you will be treated to the magical autumnal display of the endemic Fagus trees in opulent golds and deep reds. 

What to do in Cradle Mountain

Walking: Appreciating the surrounding beauty of the Cradle Mountain region is best done by putting some time aside to trek in the National Park. There are so many mapped walks, both short and long, that you are spoilt for choice, or just make up your own! You might decide to do a series of short walks over a number of days, factoring in plenty of relaxation time between walks to put your feet up and just soak up the peace and solitude of the place. Short walks include the Dove Lake Loop Walk (1-2 hours), Cradle Mountain summit (6-8 hours, with spectacular views on a clear day), the Crater Lake Circuit (2 hours) and the Enchanted Walk (20 minutes). 

If you’re really up for a challenge, gather some tasty bush tucker and set forth on the 65km long Overland Track. You’ll see the full spectrum of landscapes on this walk, including constant views of the peaks, crystal clear waterfalls, ancient rainforest, glacial lakes and alpine plains – it’s not referred to as Australia’s greatest bushwalk for nothing. Make sure you take some comfy boots though and a blister pack or 2!! Also, you do need to book ahead to walk this track and to pay a small fee for the privilege, but you’ll be rewarded well. And when you reach the end of each day’s walk, the bush tucker and a tinny or two will taste better than a gourmet meal, because you’ve earned it! 

If you’re tackling one of the more mountainous walks, it is important to remember that in the space of a few minutes the alpine weather can turn from beautiful sunshine to beating rain, cloud, fog, wind and chilly extremes. It is essential to take wet weather gear and any necessary equipment to keep you safe from the wind chill and other elements should things turn nasty. 

Horse Trekking: Saddle up and go for a leisurely trek around the bushland and alpine scrub surrounding the National Park. The rhythmic pace of the horse coupled with the beauty of all around will soon have you hooked into the charm and unhurried pace of life as the locals know it. 

Skiing: Although there are no ski lifts or facilities in place, in the winter months the area is suitable for alpine skiing, particularly for those that have some experience. 

Other activities: For those who want to give their feet a break, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the area. A good way of taking it all in is to sit back in a canoe and let the beauty serenely drift past you as you paddle along the lakes and rivers. Or if you fancy a bit of an adrenalin rush, take to two wheels and mountain bike up and down the hills to your heart’s content! You can always soothe the muscle aches later in one of the Park’s lodges... 

If your legs are screaming out for a rest, there are plenty of more sedate activities in the area. Take your pick from wineries, cave tours, lavender farms, wild river cruises, gardens...or all of these! You can truly kick back and do it all and with hardly any travelling distance in between. 

Scenic Flights: Get a bird’s eye view of the mountains and lakes and feel as though you are soaring above them with a scenic flight across the area, run by a number of operators. You will get a unique perspective of the wide ranging terrain as you fly over a thousand lakes, tumbling waterfalls and Australia’s deepest gorge, as well as the towering peak of Mount Ossa....and all without so much as a hint of muscle strain! 

Wildlife

Returning to the elusive, reputedly bad tempered but somehow quite endearing Tasmanian Devil, if you want to be certain of seeing one of Tassie’s iconic Devils take a visit to the Wildlife Park where you can have a guided tour through a Tasmanian Devil enclosure and see them in their natural habitat. The Devils once lived in mainland Australia but can now be found only in Tasmania so a trip here without seeing one would be like a trip to New Zealand without seeing a Kiwi!! It was the animal’s dark colour and spine chilling screeches that led early European settlers to call this creature The Devil! The size of a small dog, the Tasmanian Devil has jaws nine times as powerful as a dog and strong teeth that can crunch through anything! Their main prey is carrion and the Devils are famous for their rowdy communal feeding on carcasses, which act as a display of their dominance amongst the group. 

Sleeping

There are some very fine places to stay in the Park that will add to the overall soul stirring experience. At the northern end of the Park is Cradle Mountain Chateau, a 4 star eco resort, situated in alpine woodland. Here you will enjoy a comfortable stay with all the necessary luxuries but at the same time you can massage your good conscience safe in the knowledge that the owners of the Chateau care very deeply about maintaining the surrounding areas. 

Also at the luxury end of the scale is Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village, nestled snugly in a secluded bush setting. The Wilderness Village offers comfortable cottages right in the thick of the native plants and wildlife. Here, you are very likely to come face to face with a wombat, wallaby or other cuddly creature, not to mention waking to a chorus of birdsong every morning. It is enough to transport you to another world far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

For the more budget traveller there are bush huts and camp sites dotted throughout the region and interspersed at regular intervals throughout the longer trails such as the Overland. Whilst these may lack the comforts of the lodges and cottages, they offer no less in terms of a wilderness experience and after a day of invigorating walking these huts are more than enough to lay a weary head! 

How to get to Cradle Mountain

By Air: Regular flights run from the main Australian cities into the airports at Launceston, Devonport and Hobart, then you are best to make your way to the National Park by road from there. 

By Road: The airport car rental offices will be able to sort you out with a hire car for the duration of your stay. Alternatively, there are buses and coaches available from the main cities and some smaller ones too. 

By Sea: The ‘Spirit of Tasmania’ sails daily between Melbourne and Devonport.