Find epic hiking and breathtaking beauty in this Aussie national park

Seven wonders within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

With its craggy peaks, dazzling glacial lakes and ancient moss-shrouded forests, this national park in the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, an evocative canvas that sets the scene for epic hiking adventures and wildlife experiences as well as unexpected cultural pleasures.

1 Take the epic hike

Hiking the Overland Track.Credit: Jesse Bonde/Tourism Tasmania

Tasmania’s most famous multi-day hike links the two sections of this 1612-square-kilometre national park, starting in the north at Cradle Mountain and winding through 65 kilometres of challenging terrain to finish at Lake St Clair. Volatile alpine weather, slippery mud and leeches are all part of the Overland Track’s mythology, so it’s not a hike to be taken lightly. The rewards include magical vistas, connection to nature and a camaraderie that comes with effort and achievement. See parks.tas.gov.au

2 Or take the easy option

Easy does it ... Dove Lake Circuit Walk.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

If lugging a backpack for six days through inclement conditions seems too daunting, there are plenty of easier hikes that pay their own dividends. Starting with the easy Dove Lake Circuit Walk, a stunning 5.7-kilometre meander along the lake’s foreshore through a diversity of vegetation, from lichen-swathed myrtle to towering forests of rare King Billy pine, while the craggy spires of Cradle Mountain play peek-a-boo in the distance.

3 Discover the cuddly and the ferocious

A Tasmanian devil in the national park.Credit: Tourism Tasmania

Wildlife is in abundance at Cradle Mountain, from adorable wombats to echidnas, pademelon and even platypus making frequent appearances. But its biggest marsupial stars are the Tasmanian devils at Devils@Cradle, a captive breeding and conservation facility bordering the national park. A guided tour of the sanctuary – also home to endangered eastern and spotted-tail quolls – allows you to view these fascinating creatures in all their bone-crunching cartoonish glory as you learn about the challenges they face in the wild. See devilsatcradle.com

4 Paddle the pine King

Paddling the pine – Dove Lake kayaking with Cradle Mountain Canyons.Credit: Nick H. Visuals

When Anthony O’Hern from Cradle Mountain Canyons won the tender to operate kayaks on Dove Lake, he wanted to create an experience that spoke to the location, choosing to hand-craft his flotilla of kayaks from recycled King Billy pine. The resulting kayaks are not only a beautiful testament to Anthony’s talents, but they are also the perfect way to explore the lake and its many moods. Guided paddles include a walk to Ballroom Forest, where stands of living King Billys are said to be up to 1700 years old. See cradlemountaincanyons.com.au

5 Photograph the boatshed

Dove Lake and the boatshed.

Cradle Mountain’s most photogenic structure is the old Dove Lake Boatshed, built in 1940 by Lionel Connell, the first ranger to be stationed at Cradle Mountain. Constructed from endemic King Billy pine, it juts into the water on the north-western shore, framing incredible views of Cradle Mountain’s saddle and peaks. The boatshed is just a 10-minute walk from the shuttle bus stop and the park’s newest structure, the imposing Dove Lake Viewing Shelter.

6 Encounter the pioneers

Waldheim Chalet – the “forest home”.

Two names synonymous with Cradle Mountain are Austrian immigrant Gustav Weindorfer and his botanist wife, Kate. Enamoured with Tasmania’s rugged wilderness, in 1912 they built a chalet at Cradle Mountain called Waldheim (meaning Forest Home), campaigning against logging and advocating for a national park to be formed. A replica of their home now stands on the original site, and a visual and audio display detail the lives and passion of the colourful duo.

7 Explore the art of the wilderness

Chances are it will rain during your visit to Cradle Mountain; and when the weather closes in, make a beeline to the wonderful Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery to see how local artists have interpreted their experience of the wilderness and nature of this special part of Tasmania. There are nine rooms in the gallery, housing exhibitions that rotate throughout the year. See wildernessgallery.com.au

The writer was a guest of Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain. See discoveryholidayparks.com.au/caravan-parks/tasmania/north-west/cradle-mountain