Directions to Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain – St. Clair National Park)

Directions to Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain – St. Clair National Park)

A complete travel guide to help visitors to Tasmania discover the best ways to get to Cradle Mountain. Includes the best options with tips to make the most of the Cradle Country experience.

For those visiting Tasmania, I'm sure you've already been told - Cradle Mountain is a must see! In this quick guide, I'll cover everything you need to know about getting to Cradle Mountain. I'll go into detail about the three main options for getting there, with tips to help you make the most of the experience.

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About Cradle Mountain

When people talk about Cradle Mountain, they are referring to Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. The main entrance to the park is in northern Tasmania and there is a large, dedicated visitor center which serves as a base for exploring the park.

There's plenty to do and see in this World Heritage-listed park, from great short walks to epic 7-day tramps on the Overland Track.

The tricky part of getting there is finding a way to the visitor center. I will go into these in more detail below.

Most guests use the free shuttle bus (included in the national park ticket) to get to the various highlights. This limits the number of vehicles traveling on the narrow roads within the park.

The shuttle service operates seven days a week, but you will need to plan your trips as they only operate during the day.

Remember that you need a Tasmanian Parks Pass to enter national parks in Tasmania. The cost at Cradle Mountain is higher than the other parks at $25 per person (24 hours) or $40 per car (up to 8 people). However, it is often cheaper to just purchase a holiday or annual pass if you want to spend a little more time in the national parks in Tassie.

For more information, see the Park Pass page.
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How to get to Cradle Mountain?

Below are the three ways to get to Cradle Mountain. This includes driving yourself, booking a shuttle bus or transportation, or booking a private charter.

Option 1: Self-drive

By far the best way to explore and get around Tasmania is to bring your own car or rent one. If you're coming from the mainland, it's often cheaper to book your car or motorhome on board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Devonport.

Anyone who doesn't have their own car will be in for a shock. Car rental prices in Tasmania are among the highest in the country! Therefore, I highly recommend comparing all rental car companies through the RentalCars.com website. This compares deals similar to SkyScanner to help you find good deals.

Otherwise, if you're a fan of the sharing economy and want to save a few bucks, check out CarNextDoor (use my link for $15 off your first booking). Alternatively, SpaceShips offer cheap, reliable motorhomes, which I am personally a big fan of.

Once you've figured out how to get your own set of wheels, you'll need to head to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Center. This is the main parking area of ​​the national park. Note that there is no connecting road from the north and south ends of the park and to get here you must enter from the north.

Basically, you should drive up Cradle Mountain Road (only accessible from northern Tasmania). Expect a 1.5-hour drive from Devonport and a 2.5-hour drive from Launceston via Sheffield. From Sheffield take the C136 and C132 to the visitor center.

This road is notoriously winding and can definitely get icy in the winter months. However, the route is paved throughout, so if the weather is nice it shouldn't be too much of a problem for most (including campers).

Below I have pinned the exact location and any routing app will easily get you here.

Option 2: Book a shuttle

While having your own car is definitely the way to go in Tasmania, those making a short visit can still get to Cradle Mountain by booking an organized shuttle tour. Most of these trips are organized day tours with set agendas. Some only include transportation via a shuttle bus, but there are also options for additional inclusions including hiking guides, lunch, etc.

Below I've listed the top-rated and most frequently booked options for getting to Cradle Mountain by shuttle. However, if you want to compare more options, I recommend you do so on GetYourGuide or on Viator.

Organized day trip from Hobart

Although it is quite a distance from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, there is a reputable company that organizes transport and day trips (round trip). The price includes your national park entrance ticket, air-conditioned vehicle transportation, and a flexible itinerary upon your arrival.

The total time for this huge day trip is around 14-15 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore the national park, and the early departure is perfect as you don't waste precious daylight hours.

Go to the Hobart > Cradle Mountain excursions booking page
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Organized day trip from Launceston

The closer proximity between Launceston and Cradle Mountain means there are more options for getting there on a day trip. The one I recommend is the highest rated in Launceston and includes much more than just transport.

You will get

• Abholung und Rückgabe vom Hotel
• Transport im komfortablen Kleinbus
• Professioneller Führer mit vollständigem Kommentar
• Mehrere geführte Wanderungen
• Eintrittsgebühr und Nationalparkpass
• Mittagessen
• Wasser und leichte Snacks

Go to the Launceston > Cradle Mountain excursions booking page
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Organized day trip to Burnie

Burnie is a great place to base yourself in Tasmania and luckily a local here runs one of the best small group tours that will answer your question about how to get to Cradle Mountain from the north. Additionally, Burnie is a popular port for Tasmanian cruise ships, making this particular tour popular for those stopping in the port city.

This is one of the cheapest options for getting to Cradle Mountain and because it's a small group deal, the itineraries are really flexible.

Go to the Burnie > Cradle Mountain excursions booking page
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Option 3: Book a private charter to Cradle Mountain

If you would prefer to arrange your own private transportation to Cradle Mountain, you can also book a private charter. You'll need to book this particular option online in advance, keeping in mind that this is much more expensive than simply hopping on a shuttle (above).
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Frequently asked questions about getting to Cradle Mountain Tasmania

How far is Cradle Mountain from Hobart? The total journey from Hobart to Cradle Mountain is 330km (4-5 hours).

How far is Cradle Mountain from Launceston? The total journey from Launceston to Cradle Mountain is 150km (2.5 hours).

How far is Cradle Mountain from Devonport: The total drive from Devonport to Cradle Mountain is 87km (1.5 hours).

What is there to do there? Once you arrive at Cradle Mountain there is plenty to do. Highlights include:

• Der Dove Lake Circuit
• Siehe die [email protected]
• Marions Aussichtspunkt
• Wildnis Galerie
• Verzauberter Spaziergang

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The best tours and activities to book at Cradle Mountain

Below is my hand-picked list of the best tours and activities available in the park. As this is the most popular park in Tasmania, I highly recommend booking activities and tours online in advance to secure your spot.

Where to Stay – Accommodation Guide

Did you know it's also possible to stay overnight near Cradle Mountain? Since there is so much to do and explore here, it's a good idea to spend at least a few days! Below I have linked the two best accommodation options closest to the national park.

Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village

Located right on the edge of the World Heritage-listed national park, The Wilderness Village offers self-catering accommodation in a rainforest setting.

In terms of distance to the park, this is as close as it gets. It's a 5-minute walk from the visitor center and a 10-minute drive from the start of the popular Overland Track.

Check price and availability for your travel dates
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Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat

Lemonthyme Retreat is an award-winning boutique wilderness lodge with an on-site restaurant, tucked away in a peaceful rainforest about 40 minutes from Cradle Mountain National Park.

This is a great retreat for travelers to Tasmania who want to get away from it all and spend some time in nature. Nearby you'll also find Bridal Veil and Champagne Falls - two of my favorite waterfalls in Tasmania.

Check price and availability for your travel dates
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More Tasmanian travel guides and adventure inspiration

I hope this blog post helped answer your questions about getting to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. Before you head out, be sure to check out some of my other travel guides for more inspiration for the region. I've spent several months exploring this beautiful part of Australia and written dozens of detailed guides!

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