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National park in Tasmania, Australia
Photo: (WT-en) Tensaibuta at English Wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a Tasmanian national park located in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, the island state of Australia. The park is one of the many parks that make up the Tasmanian Wilderness.
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The sixth-highest mountain in Tasmania perched at an altitude of 1,545 metres, the area around the mountain has a large number of day walks, including being the terminus of the Overland Track. The mountain was named after its resemblance to a gold-mining cradle.
A dominant mountain which has a spectacular and extensive cliff face which plunges some 700 metres (2,300 ft) to the Mersey Valley floor on its western side. The mountain can mainly be accessed via the Overland Track.
A mountain which has an elevation of 1,514 metres and is popular among bushwalkers and mountain climbers.
With a summit elevation of 1,617 metres, it is the highest peak of the state. The mountain can be climbed via a well worn track from Pelion Gap to the summit and be approached either as a side trip from the Overland Track or via the Arm River Track. Remember that conditions are very severe in winter, with powerful winds and freezing temperatures and a short scramble is required to ascend the summit.
A great introductory walk to the park, this walk leaves from the Dove Lake carpark. Take the track on the eastern (left hand) side of Dove Lake and follow it clockwise around the lake. The newly-completed track takes you under the shadow of Cradle Mountain, through the tranquil Ballroom Forest and back along the western shore of the lake to your starting point. Allow 2-3 hours as the walk is 6 kilometres.
Visitor Centre Rainforest Walk
Leaving from just behind Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre is a short boardwalk that is a must for all visitors to Cradle. Take the time to meander through a patch of cool temperate rainforest and you'll be rewarded with views of the beautiful Pencil Pine Falls. The easy track, suitable for wheelchairs, then circles back to the carpark. Allow 8-10 minutes.
Leaves from Waldheim chalet and takes an easy grade through a forest of King Billy pines, celery-top pines and myrtles. The walk takes about 20 minutes at a gentle pace. Take a little extra time and view the displays in the chalet to catch a brief look at the life of the Weindorfers.
Cabins with a rustic feel.
This hotel is nestled in alpine forests. Has two restaurants and a lounge bar.
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
This hotel is right outside the entrance to the World Heritage Area, and is right next to the wombat burrows, so you are bound to see some wombats as you head out for dinner. The lodge building is beautiful, and very well fitted out for cold rainy days. If the restaurant's a bit pricey, the hotel has a very nice bar which does good meals at a reasonable price.
The hotel camouflages into the woody backdrop.
Accommodation with an emphasis on eco-friendliness. There are studio cabins and suites. The restaurant requires bookings in advance.
The cabins are located inside the park and are equipped with electric heating, single bunk beds, basic cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery and an electric stove. Amenities block has showers and flushing toilets. Linen can be provided at an additional charge ($11 per person).
A budget accommodation provider opposite the Visitor Centre. They offer:
- Campsites - Unpowered sites for $35 and powered for $44.
- Dorms - Male dorms and female dorms only, there are no mixed dorms. A 4 share dormitory costs $32. Rooms are heated and all linen is supplied. There is a shared kitchen with all crockery and cutlery supplied. A dorm, which sleeps 4, can be bought out for $74. There is no restriction on the dorm being mixed with this option.
- Cabins - Self-contained, queen bed with electric blanket, bunk beds in separate bedroom, linen & doonas, air-conditioning, kitchenette (with microwave, full size fridge, electric fry pan, kettle and toaster, cookware, cooking utensils and cutlery), dining area and living area with sofa and LCD TV, bathroom with toilet, hair dryer, iron/ironing board. Rooms configured to accommodate 4 or 6 people are the same price. $129.
- Cottages - Self-contained, queen bed with electric blanket, bunk beds in separate bedroom, linen & doonas, air-conditioning, kitchenette (with microwave, full size fridge, electric fry pan, kettle and toaster, cookware, cooking utensils and cutlery), dining area and living area with sofa and LCD TV, bathroom with toilet, hair dryer, iron/ironing board. With the addition of a gas log heater, DVD player, and balcony. Configured for 2, 4 or 5 people. Also as a separate option to the 4 person configuration is twin doubles. $149. For an extra $10, you can get a room with a spa.
By bus
Cradle Mountain Coaches have services from several Tasmanian locations.
The Cradle Mountain shuttle service runs regularly between the Visitor Centre, Ronny Creek and Dove Lake.
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