Tasmania · Australia

Cradle Mountain and Launceston

The dolerite-peaked mountain above Dove Lake, in the heart of Tasmania’s wilderness area, with Launceston and the port of Strahan on the Gordon River as bases.

Tasmania

In the photo: Cradle Mountain

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A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Cradle Mountain is a dolerite-peaked massif of 1,545 meters in the northern part of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. At the mountain’s foot, Dove Lake is ringed by a trail that has become the island’s best-known walk.

The park has southern beech and ancient pine forests, buttongrass plains, glacial lakes and wildlife such as wombats, echidnas and wallabies, which often graze near the trails at dusk. It is the starting point of the Overland Track, a multi-day crossing to Lake St Clair.

The usual gateway is Launceston, Tasmania’s second city, about 2½ hours’ drive away, with the Cataract Gorge a few minutes from the centre. On the west coast, Strahan is the village where boats depart for the Gordon River and the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway.

Distances between these points are large and the roads are winding, so the region calls for at least three or four days.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Launceston, Cradle Mountain, Strahan.

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The cities on this trip

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Where Cradle Mountain and Launceston is

Boundaries: Australian Bureau of Statistics / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Cradle Mountain and Launceston

✈ Launceston Airport (LST), in Western Junction · 15 km to Launceston

Launceston Airport is about 15 km from the city centre, with flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. From Launceston to Cradle Mountain is about 145 km. The Spirit of Tasmania ferry arrives at Devonport, about 90 km from the park.

Suggested arrival point: Launceston

Tasmânia · Cradle Mountain and Launceston Suggested arrival point

Launceston

Second city of Tasmania, in the north of the island, where the North Esk and South Esk rivers join to form the Tamar River. It has Victorian buildings and parks in the center and, a few minutes’ walk away, the Cataract Gorge, with a swimming pool, a cable car and walking trails. Downriver, the Tamar Valley hosts cool-climate wineries. It is the gateway to Cradle Mountain.

Tasmânia · Cradle Mountain and Launceston

Cradle Mountain

Locality at the northern entrance of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, with the visitor centre, cabins and hotels. From here park buses run to Dove Lake at the foot of the mountain and to the start of the Overland Track. Nearby is the Devils@Cradle sanctuary for Tasmanian devils. Wombats and wallabies often graze in the fields at dusk.

Tasmânia · Cradle Mountain and Launceston

Strahan

A port village on Tasmania’s west coast, on the edge of Macquarie Harbour. It’s the base for boats that go up the Gordon River into the World Heritage wilderness area and pass by the former penal settlement on Sarah Island. It’s also the terminus of the historic West Coast Wilderness Railway. At night the play The Ship That Never Was tells the story of a group of convicts who escaped.

The local experience

Things to do in Cradle Mountain and Launceston

Launceston · Tasmania · Park

Cataract Gorge

Gorge of the South Esk River about 1.5 km from Launceston city centre, with a pool, cable car, suspension bridge, trails and the old Duck Reach power station.

Cradle Mountain · Tasmania · Lake

Dove Lake

A glacial lake at the foot of Cradle Mountain, ringed by a roughly 6 km trail with boardwalks, stony beaches and the old boathouse.

Strahan · Tasmania · Boat trip

Gordon River Cruise

Boat cruise from Strahan through Macquarie Harbour, through the Hells Gates entrance, up the Gordon River and to Sarah Island, a former penal settlement.

Cradle Mountain · Tasmania · Trail

Overland Track

A crossing of about 65 km between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, usually done in six days, with huts and campsites.

See 5 more places in Cradle Mountain and Launceston

Launceston · Tasmania · Museum

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Launceston museum split between Inveresk, with science, history and a planetarium, and the art gallery in Royal Park, in the centre.

Strahan · Tasmania · Heritage train

West Coast Wilderness Railway

Historic train between Strahan and Queenstown, over about 35 km of forest and rivers, with steam locomotives and rack-and-pinion sections on steep slopes.

Launceston · Tasmania · Historic site

Brickendon and Woolmers

Two neighbouring Archer family farms near Longford, about 20 km from Launceston, worked by convicts in the 19th century and listed as world heritage.

Cradle Mountain · Tasmania · Wildlife sanctuary

Devils at Cradle

Sanctuary at the park entrance that breeds Tasmanian devils and quolls for conservation programs, with day and night visits.

Strahan · Tasmania · Dunes

Henty Dunes

Sand dunes up to 30 metres high about 14 km north of Strahan, between the forest and the ocean, with a trail to the beach.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Summer, from December to February, has long days and is the most popular season for walks. Autumn brings the fagus, the native beech that turns golden in late April and early May. In winter it can be cold and snow is possible in the park. Weather can change quickly in any season.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three or four days: one in Launceston, one or two at Cradle Mountain and one in Strahan. The Overland Track requires about six additional days.

Which city to stay in

Launceston has hotels of various types in the city centre. At Cradle Mountain there are cabins and a hotel beside the park entrance, with limited availability in summer. Strahan has inns and waterfront hotels.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Cradle Mountain and Launceston

How many days to allow for Cradle Mountain?

Three to four days for Launceston, the park and Strahan; add six more days if you do the Overland Track.

How to get to Cradle Mountain?

Fly to Launceston and then drive about 145 km, or take the ferry to Devonport, about 90 km from the park.

Do you need a car for Cradle Mountain?

It’s the most practical option, because public transport is limited. In Australia you drive on the left, and the region’s roads are winding.

When to go to Cradle Mountain?

Summer for the walks and late April to see the fagus turning golden. Snow is possible in winter.

What time zone is Cradle Mountain in?

Tasmania time, UTC+10, with daylight saving time (UTC+11) from October to April.

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Cradle Mountain and Launceston

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip