Cradle Mountain Overnighter
Dove Lake in the morning mist, wombats at dusk, Tasmania's most iconic alpine silhouette.
Cradle Mountain's twin peaks are Tasmania's postcard — a UNESCO wilderness of button-grass plains, ancient pencil pine and the Dove Lake boatshed that photographs itself. Two and a half hours from Launceston you'll be sharing the track with wombats, echidnas and the odd Tasmanian devil after dark.
Highlights
- Dove Lake circuit — 6km easy loop with the mountain reflection
- Wombat-spotting at Ronny Creek boardwalk at dusk
- Marion's Lookout climb — steep but the highest cradle view
- Cradle Mountain Canyons for canyoning in summer
- Devils @ Cradle nocturnal feeding tour (7:30pm)
Suggested itinerary
- Saturday · Morning
Launceston → Cradle Mountain
2.5-hour drive via Devonport and Sheffield. Petrol up in Sheffield; the last fuel before the park gate.
- Saturday · Midday
Visitor centre + shuttle in
Cars stop at the transit terminal; a free shuttle runs into the park every 10 minutes. Buy the parks pass online to skip queues.
- Saturday · 1:30pm
Dove Lake circuit
Plan 2 hours for the full 6km boardwalk loop. Photo stops at the boathouse and Glacier Rock.
- Saturday · Dusk
Ronny Creek wombats
Shuttle to Ronny Creek and walk the boardwalk — wombats are out in force in the last hour of daylight.
- Saturday · Evening
Devils @ Cradle
90-minute guided nocturnal tour with spotlit feeding of Tasmanian devils and quolls. Book 1 week ahead.
- Sunday · Morning
Marion's Lookout climb
Steep but doable — 2 hours return, chain-assisted section near the top. The classic over-the-lake view.
- Sunday · Afternoon
Drive back
2.5 hours to Launceston, or break the trip with a night in Sheffield or a lunch at Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm.
Getting there
2.5 hours from Launceston, 4.5 hours from Hobart via the Lake Highway. No fuel past Sheffield — fill up before you turn off the Bass Highway.
Eat & drink
- Highland Restaurant at Cradle Mountain Lodge for a fireside dinner
- Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm on the drive home
- Wall in the Wilderness woodcarving museum cafe at Derwent Bridge (if driving the Lake Hwy)
Local tips
- Cradle weather flips in 30 minutes — a clear summer day can go to sleet mid-afternoon
- The shuttle runs 8am – 6pm; drive your own car in at low-demand periods (winter only)
- Book Cradle Mountain Lodge 4+ months ahead — nearby backups are Peppers and Discovery
- Leeches on the track in wet months — gaiters or long socks recommended