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

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

A complete travel guide who helps Tasmania visitors to discover the best ways to discover how to get to Cradle Mountain. Contains the best options with tips to make the best of the experience in Cradle Country.

For those who visit Tasmania, I am sure that it has already been told - Cradle Mountain is a must! In this short guide, I will describe everything you need to know to get to Cradle Mountain. I will go into the three main options in detail to get there, with tips that help you make the best of this experience.

alt = “Wombat in Tasmania”>
Alt = “Cradle Mountain Hiking Ways”>
Alt = “Cradle Mountain Taubensee”>

About Cradle Mountain

When people speak of Cradle Mountain, refer to the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park. The main entrance to the park is located in the north of Tasmania and there is a large, special visitor center that serves as a starting point for exploration of the park.

There is a lot to do and see in this park, which belongs to the World Heritage Site, with great short walks up to epic 7-day tramps on the Overland Track.

The tricky part to get there is to find a way to the visitor center. I go into more detail below.

on site, 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 that drive on the narrow streets within the park.

The shuttle service runs seven days a week, but you have to plan your trips because you only run during the day.

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

Further information can be found on the Park Pass page.
Alt = “Tauben-See-Wagen-Berg”>

<

p class = "Has-Text-Align-Center"> highlighted in: Fantastic activities in Tasmania

How do you get to the cradle mountain?

In the following, the three options are listed on how to get to the Cradle Mountain. This includes driving, booking a shuttlebus or transport or booking a private charter.

Option 1: Self-driver

that by far the best way to explore Tasmania and move on is to bring your own car with you or rent one. When you come from the mainland, it is often cheaper to book your car or motorhome on board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Devonport.

If you don't have your own car, you will experience a shock. The rental car prices in Tasmania are among the highest country! Therefore, I strongly recommend comparing all rental car companies via the Rentalcars.com website. This compares offers similar to Skyscanner to help you find good offers.

Otherwise, if you are a fan of the sharing economy and want to save a few dollars, take a look at Carnextdoor (use my link for $ 15 discount on your first booking). Alternatively, spaces hips offer cheap, reliable motorhomes, of which I personally am a big fan.

As soon as you have found out how you get your own wheel set, you must go to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Center. This is the main car park of the national park. Note that there is no connecting road from the northern and southern end of the park and to get here, you have to drive in from the north.

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

This street is notoriously curvy and can definitely be icy in the winter months. However, the route is paved continuously, so that when the weather is nice for most (including camper) it should not be too big problems.

Below I attached the exact location and every routing app brings you here without any problems.

Option 2: Book a shuttle

While your own car in Tasmania is definitely the right way, those who only make a short visit can still get to Cradle Mountain by booking an organized shuttle tour. Most of these trips are organized day tours with defined agendas. Some only include transport via a shuttle bus, but there are also options for further inclusive services, including hiking guides, lunch, etc.

Below I listed the best rated and most frequently booked options to get to Cradle Mountain with a shuttle. However, if you want to compare further options, I recommend that you do this on Getyourguide or on Viator.

Organized day trip by Hobart

Although it is quite a distance from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, there is a respected company that organizes transport and day trips (return trip). The price includes your entry ticket for the national park, air -conditioned vehicle transport and a flexible route after your arrival.

The total time for this huge day trip is about 14-15 hours, which gives you enough time to explore the national park, and the early departure is perfect because you do not waste any precious daylight lessons.

go to the booking page for excursions to Hobart> Cradle Mountain
Alt = "Wiegenberg">

Organized day trip by Launceston

The closer closeness between Launceston and Cradle Mountain means that there are more opportunities to get there on a day trip. The one I recommend is the best rating in Launceston and includes much more than just transport.

You will get

  • collection and return from the Hotel
  • Transport in comfortable minibus
  • Professional leader with a complete comment
  • several guided hikes
  • admission fee and national park pass
  • lunch
  • water and light snacks

go to the booking page for excursions to Launceston> Cradle Mountain
Alt = “Wiegenberg”>

organized day trip to Burnie

Burnie is a great place to settle down in Tasmania, and luckily a local is carrying out one of the best small group tours here, which answers your question, as you can get from north to Cradle Mountain. In addition, Burnie is a popular port for Tasmanian cruise ships, which makes this special tour popular for those who stop in the port city.

This is one of the cheapest options to get to Cradle Mountain, and since it is an offer for small groups, the travel routes are really flexible.

go to the booking page for Burnie> Cradle Mountain excursions
old = "fluffy Wombat in Tasmania">

Option 3: Book a private charter to Cradle Mountain

If you prefer to organize your own private transport to Cradle Mountain, you can also book a private charter. You have to book this special option online in advance and keep in mind that this is much more expensive than just climbing into a shuttle (above).
Alt = “Wiegenland Tasmania”>

Frequently asked questions about arrival about Cradle Mountain Tasmania

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

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

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

What to do there? As soon as you have arrived in Cradle Mountain, there is a lot to do. The highlights include:

  • The Dove Lake Circuit
  • See the [Email Protected]
  • Marion's viewpoint
  • Wildnis Gallery
  • enchanted walk

alt = “Hiking trails on the cradle mountain”>
Alt = “Taubensee Tasmania”>
Alt = “Hiking Video Tasmania”>

The best tours and activities that you can book with Cradle Mountain

Below you will find my hand -picked list of the best tours and activities available in the park. Since this is the most popular park in Tasmania, I strongly recommend booking activities and guided tours online in advance to secure a place.

Where to spend the night-accommodation leader

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

Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village

The Wilderness Village is located directly on the edge of the national park belonging to the World Heritage Site and offers accommodation for self -catering in a rainforest environment.

With regard to the distance to the park, this is as close as possible. It is a 5 -minute walk from the visitor center and a 10 -minute drive from the start of the popular overland track.

Check the price and availability for your travel data
Alt = "">
Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat

The Lemonthyme Retreat is a award-winning boutique game lodge with its own restaurant and is hidden in a peaceful rainforest, about 40 minutes from Cradle Mountain National Park.

This is a great retreat for travelers to Tasmania who want to escape everyday life and spend some time in nature. Nearby you will also find Bridal Veil and Champagne Falls - two of my favorite waterfalls in Tasmania.

Check the price and availability for your travel data
Alt = “Lemonthyme Lodge Wilderness Retreat Cradle Mountain Tasmania”>

Other Tasmanian travel guides and adventure inspiration

I hope this blog post has contributed to answering your questions about arrival to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. Before you set off, check out some of my other travel guides to get more inspiration for the region. I spent several months to explore this beautiful part of Australia and wrote dozens of detailed leaders!

alt = “Wombat on the way to the cradle Mountain Tasmania”>
.