New fee to access shuttle bus to Cradle Mountain slammed as disappointing

Those who want to go to Cradle Mountain will now be slugged with a $15 fee to use the shuttle. And with no option to take a car, it’s been slammed as ‘disappointing’. Why the Premier says it’s needed.

New viewing platform at Dove Lake Cradle Mountain.

The Premier has defended a new fee visitors will have to pay when they go to Cradle Mountain, which he says will stop Tasmania from being “loved to death”.

From November 15, each visitor over the age of 18 who uses the shuttle bus will need to pay a $15 fee.

Labor’s parks spokesperson Sarah Lovell said it made the experience less accessible.

“Tasmania is one of the poorest and unhealthiest states in Australia and we should not be making it harder for people to visit and enjoy our national parks,” she said.

“The shuttle bus was introduced with the promise it would be free to protect the environment and to ensure visitors safely accessed Dove Lake.

“Being able to easily access our national parks and experience all they have to offer is part what makes our lifestyle so special.”

The new viewing platform at Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the funds would go to improving Tasmania’s parks infrastructure.

“We need to also ensure that with the many thousands of people that arrive here every week that we are able to ensure we have the infrastructure in place so Tasmania is not love to death,” he said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Minister for Parks Roger Jaensch at the opening of the new Dove Lake shelter at Cradle Mountain earlier this year. Photo: Helen Kempton

“It’s important we’re able to fund our parks and wildlife service to the very best of our ability to ensure the experience people expect when the come to Tasmania is not diminished by poor infrastructure.

More than 300,000 people visit the Cradle Mountain each year.

The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s Facebook page attracted 100 comments about the new fee.

“So they stop vehicles driving to the Dove Lake car park, then they start charging to travel on the shuttle bus after giving visitors no other option. Pretty disappointing,” one commenter said.

“So upsetting when the no drive in option already limits so many people that want to access the park and different times of day,” another said.

“Surely Tasmanians could be exempt/receive discounts here? After all, it is our State! Take an example from Qld or NT, PWS. Cradle Mountain is already an expensive destination; accommodation prices are already outside the reach of many. Very disappointed!” another commenter said.