Cradle Mt – Lake St Clair National Park

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I was initially attracted to Cradle Mt – Lake St Clair National Park because of the bird list, but later I came to realize that mammals are the primary attraction here.  Tasmanian Devils are the star attraction at Devils@Cradle.  It’s an easy drive from Hobart or anywhere else in Tasmania for that matter.

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You will need to stop here and buy entry tickets.  If you are visiting other parks in Tasmania it’s best to get a multi-park pass.  If you buy your pass here, it will include bus transportation to the lake and hiking trails.  Driving in with your own car is limited to IIRC the first 50 cars as they want to minimize traffic and damage to the environment.

Bus route

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The most popular thing to do at Cradle Mountain is hiking on the trails around the lake.  There are trails that range form one hour to several days.  You must register your hiking plans at the office for your safety.IMG_7851 - Copy IMG_7849 - Copy IMG_7850 - Copy IMG_7848 - Copy IMG_7852 - Copy IMG_7855 - Copy IMG_7856 - Copy IMG_7907 - Copy IMG_7908 - Copy IMG_7912 - Copy IMG_7913 - Copy IMG_7916 - Copy IMG_7918 - Copy IMG_7919 - Copy IMG_7928 - Copy

This is one of the bus stops and a great place to get more information about Cradle Mountain.IMG_7930 - Copy

Just 5 minutes from the Ranger Station is the beautiful Enchanted Walk.  The scenery is stunning, you may be lucky enough to see animals such as wallabies, pademelons, echidnas, platypus, wombats or even Tasmanian Devils!  There are hides where you can either shelter from rain or sit and observe animals.  There weren’t many birds on this trail.IMG_7931 - Copy IMG_7932 - Copy IMG_7933 - Copy IMG_7935 - Copy IMG_7938 - Copy IMG_7939 - Copy IMG_7941 - Copy IMG_7942 - Copy IMG_7943 - Copy IMG_7944 - Copy IMG_7950 - Copy IMG_7951 - Copy IMG_7952 - Copy IMG_7954 - Copy IMG_7955 - Copy IMG_7956 - Copy

ACCOMMODATION

A wide variety of accommodation is available from the luxurious Peppers (pictured below) to camping at the Discovery Holiday Park.  We were in the middle and took a cabin at the DHP (see separate review).IMG_7957 - CopyHere’s a screenshot of what’s available during low season (not school holidays).

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Please be considerate of your fellow hikers and nature lovers and carry your trash out with you.  Look at all the junk some selfish pigs have left behind on the trails!  Please help Tasmania stay natural and beautiful!

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