Destination guides > Australia > Tasmania > Western & central Tasmania > Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Tasmania’s most popular national park attracts visitors from around the world. The best way to explore the park is by hiking the Overland Track – a five-day hike from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair – however there are many other shorter walks that are also rewarding.
The park is broken into two parts: Lake St Clair, accessible from the south and Cradle Mountain, accessible from Devonport or Launceston in the north. Most visitors to the park visit Cradle Mountain at the northern end of the national park.
Practical information
Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre
Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Tel (03) 6492 1133
Website www.parks.tas.gov.au
Open 8am-5.30pm daily
Lake St Clair Visitors Centre
Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Tel (03) 6289 1172
Website www.parks.tas.gov.au
Open 8am-5pm daily
Coming & going & local transport
The park is one of Tasmania’s biggest attractions and it is well served by public transport. Tassielink’s (tel 1300 300 520) Strahan to Launceston service calls in at the Cradle Mountain Transit Centre at the northern end of the national park and their Strahan to Hobart service stops at Lake St Clair at the southern end of the park.
Hostel accommodation
Cradle Mountain Tourist Park
3832 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain
Tel (03) 6492 1395
Hiking
Day Hikes in Cradle Mountain
There are plenty of day hikes originating at both the northern and southern parts of the national park. These range from easy ten-minute walks to more strenuous treks up Cradle Mountain. The Dove Lake Loop Track (2 hours) is the most popular and is a good introduction to the park. The information centre sells a detailed map of these hiking trails for $4.
Day Hikes in Lake St Clair
There’s also a good range of hiking trails in the southern – Lake St Clair – part of the park. These include the Watersmeet walk (1 hour), which is noted for its wildflowers that bloom in springtime. It is possible to continue on along the Platypus Bay track and the Woodland Naturewalk (1½ hours).
The Overland Track
One of Australia’s most popular hiking trails is the 80km Overland Track that runs between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. The track is well maintained with eight huts along the route, however it is a very popular trek and the huts are often full, making it essential to bring along a tent and a warm sleeping bag. Public transport is available with pick-ups at either end of the track from both Hobart and Launceston. It is also possible to stay at luxury accommodation en route with hot showers and fully catered meals, but this option is guaranteed to blow your budget.
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