The most incredible walks in Cradle Mountain

Grab your hiking boots and discover why Cradle Mountain is a bush walker’s paradise.

Walking in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a bucket list item for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With bushland burgeoning with botanical life and landscapes jewelled with crystalline lakes, it’s no wonder why the walks in Cradle Mountain have a reputation as some of Australia’s most picturesque. If you’re ready to lace up your hiking boots and explore the unrivalled natural beauty that Tasmania has to offer, check out these iconic Cradle Mountain walks ranging from easy 10-minute strolls to challenging ascents.

Rainforest Walk

Difficulty: easy + access friendly
Distance: 431m
Duration: 10 mins

Starting just outside the Cradle Mountain Visitor’s Centre, this walk meanders through a cool temperate rainforest that showcases the diversity of Cradle Mountain’s botanical life. You’ll walk among fragrant Myrtle and towering Pencil Pines until you reach the lovely lookout point over Pencil Pine Falls. Easy, accessible and short – the rainforest walk is the perfect introduction to the beauty of Cradle Mountain’s bushland surroundings.

Rainforest Cradle Mountain — Get lost in the otherworldly rainforests of Cradle Mountain. (Image: Tourism Tasmania & Paul Sinclair)

Enchanted walk

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1km
Duration: 20 mins

This short but majestic walk certainly lives up to its name. Wander along the banks of the slow-flowing Pencil Pine River, through button grass moorlands and mossy forests. The Enchanted Walk is great for spotting wildlife, so keep an eye out for the resident wombats and pademelons that like to hang out along the trail. If you’re in luck, you might glimpse a platypus playing in the river if you head down at dawn or dusk. Although it’s just 1 kilometre, the Enchanted Walk has a reputation as one of Cradle Mountain’s best walks.

The Enchanted Walk Cradle Mountain — The Enchanted Walk is just as beautiful in winter. (Image: Paul Flemming)

Dove Lake Circuit

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6km
Duration: 3 hours

The rugged peaks of Cradle Mountain hanging over the crystal waters of Dove Lake are the postcard-perfect image of Tasmania. The Dove Lake Circuit offers a pleasant stroll that keeps these iconic landmarks in view. The trail is fringed by beautiful forest and plenty of vantage points for incredible vistas of Cradle Mountain over the lake. The Dove Lake circuit is the quintessential Cradle Mountain walk, so it’s certainly not one you want to miss!

Cradle Mountain Tasmania — Witness the craggy face of Cradle Mountain surrounded by the serene waters of Dove Lake. (Image: Cultivate Productions)

Cradle Valley Board Walk

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 12km
Duration: 3 hours

This beautiful boardwalk snakes through golden grasslands and moorlands peppered with luscious tussocks of button grass. You’ll walk through the open countryside, stopping off at waterfalls and crossing over rushing creeks. Stretching from Ronny Creek to the Cradle Mountain Visitor’s Centre, the Cradle Valley Board Walk offers a wonderful introduction to the pristine wilderness contained within Cradle Valley.

A wombat near Rooney Creek Cradle Mountain — A wombat near Ronny Creek along the Cradle Valley Board Walk. (Image: Jess Bonde)

Echo Point Walk

Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 11km
Duration: 3-4 hours

This walk in the southern end of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park combines a ferry ride from Lake St Clair Visitors Centre to Echo Point, where hikers can walk the lakeside trail back. The trail will take you through a luscious rainforest, offering incredible views across the lake where the towering Mount Ida frames the shores. The walk coincides with the last leg of the Overland Track – offering a picturesque yet not-too-strenuous sample of the iconic hike.

Views of Lake St Clair Cradle Mountain — Echo Point walk runs alongside Lake St Clair. (Image: Stu Gibson)

Marions Lookout

Difficulty: Medium
Distance: 5km
Duration: 2 hours

Watch marvellous views over Dove Lake unfold as you embark on the climb up to Marion’s Lookout from the Dove Lake circuit. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll be met with a breathtaking vantage point to admire the rocky peaks of Cradle Mountain. Once you’re done taking it all in, walk back via Wombat pool, which will bring you past sparkling lakes and down into picturesque plains peppered with button grass and Eucalypts.

Cradle Mountain Summit

Difficulty: Hard
Distance: 12.5km
Duration: 8 hours

What better way to experience the iconic peak than an expedition to Cradle Mountain’s summit? You’ll be treated to marvellous views from Hanson’s Peak and Marion’s lookout as you ascend. Keep going toward the historic Kitchen Hut, a charming mountain shelter perfect to rest in and admire the magnificent scenery. After a scramble up Cradle Mountain, you’ll be rewarded with truly epic panoramas. On one side, you’ll see the crystalline Dove Lake and the verdant landscapes that lie beyond. On the other, you’ll gaze into the heart of the Central Highlands, where the renowned Overland Track continues.

Aerial View of Cradle Mountain Summit in winter — A taste of the views from Cradle Mountain Summit. (Image: Luke Tscharke)

The best time to walk in Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain is a great destination year-round – each season offers something unique. The most popular time to hike in Cradle Mountain is during the glorious summer months between December and February when the days are warm and rainfall is at a minimum. In autumn, you can experience the forest flushed with warm golden hues – if you’re prepared to dress for cooler and wetter weather. Winter in Cradle Mountain – and anywhere in Tasmania for that matter – is nothing short of show-stopping, with snow-capped peaks that make the mountains appear even more magical. During winter, it’s best to check conditions if you’re planning on a short walk, but serious trekking is not recommendable. Spring has plenty of rainy days, but if you don’t mind the wet weather, you’ll be rewarded with blooming valleys and lots of wildlife sightings.

Views of Cradle Mountain on a walk — Bask in the beauty of Cradle Mountain on one of its many walks. (Image: Cultivate Productions)

Know before you go

The walks in Cradle Mountain have varying degrees of difficulty, so make sure you select a hike that corresponds with your fitness level. It’s important to be adequately prepared with equipment and information before you head out hiking in Cradle Mountain. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services is a great resource for hiking safety and a packing list to help you prepare. We have also rounded up our top picks of Cradle Mountain accommodation options that put you close to the walking trails – and they have the added bonus of offering great dining options too, so you can refuel after all that walking.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .