National park · Australia
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Give it two nights and one full day: shuttle to Dove Lake before 9:00 for the 6 km (3.7 mi) loop, add Marion's Lookout if the rock is dry, and treat the Overland Track as a separate 6-day booking, not a day out.Give it two nights and one full day: shuttle to Dove Lake before 9:00 AM for the 6 km (3.7 mi) loop, add Marion's Lookout if the rock is dry, and treat the Overland Track as a separate 6-day booking, not a day out.Give it two nights and one full day: shuttle to Dove Lake before 9:00 for the 3.7 mi (6 km) loop, add Marion's Lookout if the rock is dry, and treat the Overland Track as a separate 6-day booking, not a day out.Give it two nights and one full day: shuttle to Dove Lake before 9:00 AM for the 3.7 mi (6 km) loop, add Marion's Lookout if the rock is dry, and treat the Overland Track as a separate 6-day booking, not a day out.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,614 km² (623 sq mi)623 sq mi (1,614 km²)
approximate
Established
1922
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 1,614 km² (623 sq mi)623 sq mi (1,614 km²)
- About 1,614 km²; figures vary slightly by source and boundary revision (check).
- Established
- 1922
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area: a glaciated plateau of dolerite peaks, tarns and cool-temperate rainforest in the state's Central Highlands. The two ends of the park are 2.5–4.5 hours apart by road, so most visitors pick one. The north (Cradle Mountain) has the shuttle, the boardwalks and the day walks; the south (Lake St Clair) is the finish line for Overland Track walkers and a quiet lake shore with a ferry. Weather changes within hours at any time of year, and snow is possible in summer.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1982Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, extended in 1989.
Size and age
1,614 km² (623 sq mi)623 sq mi (1,614 km²) · national park since 1922
About 1,614 km²; figures vary slightly by source and boundary revision (check).
Why go
- Dove Lake sits under the dolerite columns of Cradle Mountain; the 6 km (3.7 mi) loop is the park's signature walk and takes 2–3 hours.Dove Lake sits under the dolerite columns of Cradle Mountain; the 3.7 mi (6 km) loop is the park's signature walk and takes 2–3 hours.
- The Overland Track, 65 km (40 mi) from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, is one of the world's classic multi-day walks.The Overland Track, 40 mi (65 km) from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, is one of the world's classic multi-day walks.
- Wombats, pademelons and Bennett's wallabies graze the buttongrass beside the boardwalks, often within metres of the track.
- The vegetation runs from rainforest to alpine heath, including the deciduous beech that turns gold in autumn.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanLong days, warmest; book shuttles and beds early
- FebSettled spells; afternoon cloud common
- MarCooler, quieter; deciduous beech starts turning
- AprAutumn colour; first snow on the plateau
- MayCold, wet; ice on steps
- JunShort days, snow, many services reduced
- JulDeep snow; summit routes need winter gear
- AugSnow lingers; some facilities closed
- SepWildflowers start; still snow possible
- OctClearing weather; Overland Track season opens
- NovMild, long evenings
- DecWarm but busy; snow can still fall
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wombats on the Ronny Creek and boardwalk grasslandAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk; keep 5 m away and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bennett's wallabies and pademelonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Currawongs around picnic areasAll year · They open packs and peck through fabric; keep food zipped inside a bag. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Deciduous beech (Nothofagus gunnii) turning goldApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Platypus, echidnas and quollsSep–May · Uncommon; dawn and dusk near water gives the best chance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Launceston
Drive the Bass Highway and C132 via Sheffield to the Cradle Mountain visitor centre.
2.5 h
Open the page →
From Devonport
B19 Forth Road then C132 Wilmot Road to the visitor centre; the ferry port for the Bass Strait crossing.
1.25 h
From Hobart
To Lake St Clair via the A10 through Derwent Bridge, or to Cradle Mountain via Launceston.
2.5 h to Lake St Clair
From Hobart or Launceston by bus
Cradle Mountain Coaches run scheduled services to the Cradle Mountain visitor centre.
3–5 h
Open the page →
From Western Tasmania
Region plan: Strahan, the Gordon River and the west coast parks.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cradle Mountain north | Visitor centre, shuttle road, Dove Lake, Ronny Creek and the day-walk network. | Entry pass plus shuttle ticket; boardwalks open year-round. |
| Cradle Plateau and the high peaks | Marion's Lookout, Kitchen Hut, Barn Bluff and the Cradle Mountain summit route. | Open, but alpine conditions; some sections have chains and need scrambling. |
| Overland Track corridor | The 65 km (40 mi) route south past Waterfall Valley, Pelion and the Ducane Range.The 40 mi (65 km) route south past Waterfall Valley, Pelion and the Ducane Range. | Booked walkers only in season; huts are shared. |
| Lake St Clair south | Cynthia Bay, the visitor centre, the ferry to Narcissus and the lake-shore walks. | Entry pass; ferry by ticket. |
Sketch map
- 1Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-41.583, 145.937Entry passes, shuttle tickets and the interpretation centre.Map ↗
- 2Dove Lake car park · Trail≈-41.658, 145.961Start of the Dove Lake Loop and the summit route.Map ↗
- 3Ronny Creek · Trail≈-41.635, 145.943Shuttle stop, wombat grassland and the northern end of the Overland Track.Map ↗
- 4Marion's Lookout · Viewpoint≈-41.667, 145.956Map ↗
- 5Cradle Mountain summit · Summit≈-41.685, 145.951Map ↗
- 6Mount Ossa · Summit≈-41.871, 146.033Tasmania's highest peak at 1,617 m, reached from Pelion Gap.Map ↗
- 7Lake St Clair Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-42.116, 146.174Cynthia Bay; ferry bookings and the southern park entry.Map ↗
- 8Narcissus Hut · Sleep≈-42.083, 146.150Southern end of the Overland Track; radio for the ferry.Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; the north and south ends of the park are 2.5–4.5 hours apart by road.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, per vehicle (up to 8 people) | AUD 45 (≈ US$30) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers the Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair sections for 24 hours (check). |
| Holiday pass, per vehicle | AUD 90 (≈ US$60) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; two months of entry to most Tasmania parks (check). |
| Cradle Mountain shuttle, adult return | AUD 15–25 (≈ US$10–17) | person | 2026 estimate; runs from the visitor centre to Dove Lake and Ronny Creek (check). |
| Lake St Clair ferry, Narcissus to Cynthia Bay | AUD 38 (≈ US$25) | person | One way; radio at Narcissus Hut to book (check). |
| Overland Track, per adult in season | AUD 250–350 (≈ US$170–250) | person | 2026 estimate; separate from park entry, booked through the parks service (check). |
| Waldheim Cabins, per cabin per night | AUD 95–185 (≈ US$65–130) | cabin | 2026 estimate; 4-, 6- and 8-person cabins inside the park (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry pass permit or guide
Overland Track booking permit or guide
Cradle Mountain shuttle no permit
Lake St Clair ferry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$45≈ US$30
- A$90≈ US$60
- A$15–25≈ US$10–17
- A$38≈ US$25
- A$250–350≈ US$170–250
- A$95–185≈ US$65–130
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Cradle Mountain before you go.
Park rules
- Feeding wildlife
- Prohibited throughout the park and rangers patrol; fines apply. Food left out also makes animals aggressive.
- Stay on formed tracks
- Boardwalks and marked tracks protect the alpine vegetation, which recovers slowly from boot damage.
- Camping
- No camping inside the Cradle Mountain day-walk area; the first legal sites are Waterfall Valley and Lake Rodway. Camping where permitted is free.
- Huts
- Huts on the Overland Track are free to use and shared; Kitchen Hut and the Ranger Hut are day use only except in an emergency.
- Logbooks
- Sign in and out with your intentions for any long day walk or overnight trip.
- Water
- Do not drink from the lakes; sterilise water from hut tanks before drinking.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from the parks service (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Waldheim Cabins
Basic cabins inside the park near the old chalet, with heating and a shared amenities block; book through the parks service.
Near the park
Discovery Holiday Parks Cradle Mountain
Campsites, dorms and cabins opposite the visitor centre; the budget option at the north end.
Near the park
Cradle Mountain Lodge and Cradle Mountain Hotel
Lodge and hotel rooms on the Cradle Mountain Road, minutes from the entrance.
Near the park
Lake St Clair Lodge
Cabins and suites at Cynthia Bay, the south end; the restaurant needs a booking.
Near the park
Derwent Bridge
Small lodging and food options 10 minutes from the Lake St Clair visitor centre.
Safety
Rapid weather change high
Cold and exposure on the plateau high
Getting lost or benighted medium
Ice and snow on steps medium
Wildlife on the road medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Pencil Pine Falls and Rainforest Walk boardwalk behind the visitor centre is wheelchair-accessible.
- The Cradle Mountain shuttle takes wheelchairs; the Dove Lake car park and shelter have accessible toilets.
- Dove Lake Loop and the plateau walks have steps, roots and rough rock; not suitable for limited mobility.
- The Lake St Clair visitor centre and Cynthia Bay shore are level and reachable by car.
Visiting lightly
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins on the tracks.
- Stay on boardwalks and formed tracks so alpine plants are not trampled.
- Book the Overland Track within the capped season and use the huts rather than camping on sensitive ground.
- Keep 5 m from wombats and never feed wildlife, including currawongs.
- Buy fuel and supplies in Sheffield, Deloraine or Derwent Bridge so the gateway towns keep the income.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park?
A per-vehicle day pass is about A$45 (2026 estimate) and covers up to eight people in one car for 24 hours; a two-month holiday pass is about A$90. The Cradle Mountain shuttle is a separate ticket, roughly A$15–25 return, and the Overland Track needs its own season booking on top of entry. Check current prices on the parks service site before you travel.
What are the best hikes in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park?
For a first visit, the 6 km Dove Lake Loop (2–3 hours) is the one to do. Add Marion's Lookout (2 hours return, chains near the top) for the classic view back over Dove Lake, or Hanson's Peak for a shorter climb. The Cradle Mountain summit is a 6-hour return scramble, and the 65 km Overland Track to Lake St Clair is a 6-day booked walk.
When is the best time to visit Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park?
January to March gives the longest, warmest days, and October to November is drier and quieter. Winter (June to August) brings snow, short daylight and some closed facilities, though the park stays open. Weather changes fast in any month, so pack for rain and cold even in summer.
Do I need to book the Overland Track?
Yes. The walk runs in a capped season, roughly October to May, and you book a start date through the Tasmanian parks service. Numbers are limited, so popular dates sell out months ahead. Outside the season it is a serious winter expedition for experienced parties only.
Can I drive to Dove Lake?
At busy times private vehicles are kept out of the Dove Lake road and you park at the visitor centre and take the shuttle, which stops at Ronny Creek and Dove Lake. Check the current arrangements when you buy your entry pass, as the rules change with the season and the crowd level.
Can I camp inside the park?
Not in the Cradle Mountain day-walk area. The first legal sites are Waterfall Valley and Lake Rodway, both with huts, and camping where permitted is free. At the Lake St Clair end there are designated sites around Cynthia Bay; check the parks service list before you go.
How far apart are Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair?
By road it is roughly 2.5 hours via the A10 and the C132, or 4.5 hours if you go around through Launceston. On foot they are 65 km apart along the Overland Track. Pick one end for a short trip rather than trying to see both in a day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Cradle Mountain
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Lake St Clair
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Overland Track
- officialUNESCO World Heritage Centre — Tasmanian Wilderness
- secondaryWikivoyage: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, revision 5241786 (CC BY-SA 4.0)