Cradle Mountain with Lake Dove in the foreground

Cradle Mountain
Spectacularly beautiful area in the heart of the island which is ideal for bushwalking
Located 144 km from Launceston and 83 km from Devonport, Cradle Mountain is the central feature of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of Tasmania's World Heritage area. The park covers an area of 124 942 ha which is characterised by a rugged, glaciated landscape with over 25 major peaks and a wide range of glacial formations - tarns, glacial lakes, moraine deposits, U-shaped valleys and waterfalls.

The area was glaciated during the last ice age (about 10 000 years ago) when a huge 6 km ice cap formed and glaciers flowed from its edges carving the landscape into dramatic shapes with their inexorable erosive powers.

The first human settlement of the region occurred when the local Aborigines moved into the highlands as the glaciers began retreating. The extensive button grass plains are a legacy of their extensive use of fire to clear pathways through the rugged terrain and to aid hunting by attracting animals to the tender shoots of the new vegetation.

Early reports of the Aborigines in the area tell of recently burnt vegetation and well constructed huts of bark some of which were still standing 25 years after the last of the people had been removed.

Archaeological research in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park has revealed many Aboriginal sites consisting of stone tools and quarries which suggests that people moved mainly through the valleys with occasional visits to higher areas.

Cradle Mountain was named in 1827 by the explorer Joseph Fossey who decided it bore a remarkable similarity to a cradle. It was first climbed by a European in 1831 when the explorer Henry Hellyer successfully reached the summit. Surveyor General George Franklin passed through the area in 1835 and he was duly followed by prospectors, trappers and settlers. As early as the 1890s there was some tourism in the area. Governor Hamilton had a house and boat shed built for visitors on Lake St Clair.

The man remembered as the founding father of tourism in the area was the Austrian born naturalist Gustaf Weindorfer who, in 1911, bought land in Cradle Valley where he built 'Waldheim' which he opened to guests who wanted to explore the region. When his wife died Weindorfer moved to Cradle Valley permanently. He died in 1932 and is buried near 'Waldheim'. Weindorfer is credited with naming Lake Dove, Crater Lake and Hansons Lake. He named Mount Kate after his wife.

Reservation of land began in 1922 when an area from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair was set aside as a 'scenic reserve and wildlife sanctuary'. In 1927 63 990 ha, including Cradle Mountain, were set aside as a reserve. Known as 'The Reserve' to generations of bushwalkers the area was eventually enlarged to 124 942 ha. It became a National Park in 1971.

The Cradle Mountain Lodge

In 1978 the National Parks and Wildlife Service built a replica of 'Waldheim' and this, combined with the Cradle Mountain Lodge and the excellent new NPWS Information building, have made Cradle Mountain one of the most accessible and interesting attractions in Tasmania.

In 1982 Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park along and the Franklin-Lower Gordon Wild Rivers National Park were placed on the prestigious world heritage list in recognition of their outstanding natural, cultural and wilderness qualities.

Today the area is a model of an accessible wilderness region. There are numerous walking huts, a wide range of walks through the mountains, a road to the edges of Lake Dove which lies in the shadow of Cradle Mountain, and plenty of excellent accommodation.

Things to see:  

Walks in the Area
Visitors who decide to stay at the Cradle Mountain Lodge can enjoy the short Enchanted Walk along the Pencil Pine River. At night time the nocturnal animals which inhabit the park - the Tasmanian devil and possums - come to the Lodge to be fed. There are also pademelons and Bennet's wallabies in the area.

It is possible, according to the season, to take day walks to Cradle Mountain and Crater Lake, to go alpine skiing (although there are no lifts or ski facilities), to swim in the lakes (if you are an iceberg), to climb Cradle Mountain or to take lengthy walks through the park.

The most popular walks include Mount Campbell (about 3 hours), Hansons Peak (about 3 hours), Twisted Lakes (3-4 hours), Lake Rodway (5 hours), Lake Lilla (1 hour) and the Ballroom Forest (3 hours).

Warnings for Walkers
It is worth remembering that this is an area of great danger to the unwary and the unprepared walker. It is so easy to underestimate the dangers of mountain weather. It is possible, in the space of a few minutes, for the weather to turn from a sunny day to rain and sleet. The dangers of wind chill are such that the mountain has claimed many victims of hypothermia.

It is sensible to check the weather conditions with the rangers and to study the 'How is the weather in Cradle Valley today?' placard which is located at the Lake Dove car park. For those who still resist such warnings the memorial on the edge of Lake Dove to Ewan McLeod Scott who died in 1965 is worth a few moments of reflection. Scott was with a party of schoolboys who were caught by the weather in the area. Scott managed to save all the schoolboys but in the process he died from hypothermia.

	Cottages & Cabins
	Cradle Mountain Highlanders Cabins Cradle Mountain Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1116 Facsimile: (03) 6492 1188
	Waldheim Cabins Cradle Mountain Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1110
	Lodges & Chalets
	Cradle Chalet Boutique Luxury Lodge 1422 Cradle Mountain Rd Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1401 Facsimile: (03) 6492 1144 Email: info@cradlechalet.com.au Rating: ****1/2
	Cradle Mountain Lodge Via Cradle Mountain Rd Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: 1800 737 678 or +61 2 9277 5050 worldwide Facsimile: +61 2 9299 2477 Email: reservations@poresorts.com Web site: http://www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au Rating: ****
	Lemonthyme Lodge Dolcoath Rd Moina Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1112 Facsimile: (03) 6492 1113
	Caravan Parks
	Cradle Mountain Tourist Park Cradle Valley Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1438
	Camping & Other
	Cradle Mountain Campgrounds Cradle Valley Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1395
	Lakeside St Clair Lake St Clair Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6489 1137 Facsimile: (03) 6489 1250 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Cradle Chalet Boutique Luxury Lodge 1422 Cradle Mountain Rd Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1401 Facsimile: (03) 6492 1144
	Cradle View Airport Licensed Restaurant Cradle Mountain Rd Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1400
	Lemonthyme Lodge Dolcoath Rd Moina Cradle Mountain TAS 7306 Telephone: (03) 6492 1112