Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
World Heritage alpine wilderness
This precious swathe of western Tasmania is as diverse as it is wild and magnificent. Pristine landscapes include craggy, snow-capped peaks and alpine plains, glassy lakes, luxuriant rainforest and wide ocean beaches.
Its eponymous landmarks sit at opposite ends of the park, with Cradle Mountain (1545m) in the north and Lake St Clair in the south. Australia’s most famous multi-day hiking trail – the 65km, six-to-seven-day Overland Track – runs between the two. It’s one of many trails, which range from easy boardwalk saunters to hardcore treks for the fit. (Note that the Overland Track must be booked in advance; see the website for details.)
If you’re after thrills of the aquatic kind, Cradle Mountain Canyons will have you swimming, sliding, abseiling and squealing gleefully across six waterfalls (suitable for people aged eight years and up).
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park lies in western Tasmania, around 80km southwest of Davenport and some 180km northwest of Hobart.
Car: To reach the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre from Davenport, head southwest on Wilmot Rd (C132). Alternatively, take Sheffield Rd (B14), which eventually leads to Claude Rd (C136).
To reach the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre from Davenport, take the Bass Hwy (National Highway 1). From Hobart, the visitor centre can be reached via the Lyell Hwy (A10).
parks.tas.gov.au