For any family venturing south to Tasmania, it is likely you’ve already highlighted Cradle Mountain on your itinerary. Here’s everything you need to know.
Visitors to Tasmania flock to Cradle Mountain and its surrounds for stunning scenery, great walking tracks and wildlife encounters. It’s these unique features that make Cradle Mountain one of Tasmania’s top tourist attractions (and a must-visit for families).
This World Heritage Area, famed for its spectacular scenery, stretches through many miles of lakes, peaks, rainforests and moorlands into the mists. You can even expect snow if you’re visiting Tasmania in winter! As well as walking and hiking, other activities include horse riding, quad biking, canoeing, mountain biking and boating on Lake St Clair.
Whether you’re travelling with toddlers or teenagers, here’s what you need to know if you plan to go.
Top things to do at Cradle Mountain with kids
You will love the crisp air and scenery of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park – and there’s plenty to do in the region with kids of all ages.
Here are some of our top activities at Cradle Mountain:
Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
If you can’t make a tour, the visitor centre offers a great chance to learn about the history and development of the Cradle Mountain area. Frequent shuttle buses run out to Cradle Mountain where you can hike and explore the mountain.
Meet Tassie's wildlife at Devils @ Cradle
The Tasmanian devil is one of the country’s most iconic creatures, so a visit to Devils@Cradle, at the entrance to the National Park, is a truly special experience. Previously known as the Cradle Mountain Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary, it’s also home to the closely related Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls. The sanctuary has keeper tours, feeding tours and night tours.
Scenic walks and hikes
You can spot wallabies and wombats on one of the many scenic hikes in the area, which range from the Enchanted Walk for littlies to circumnavigating Dove Lake with older kids. Dove Lake is an ideal place to stop for a picnic and a photo at the picturesque Boat Shed.
You can find a list of our favourite family-friendly walks below!
Explore Lake St. Clair (on land or water)
On the other end of the Overland Track across the range, you’ll find the vast Lake St. Clair, which also has a great Visitor’s Centre and can be explored by ferry.
Dine at the cosy Cradle Mountain Lodge
Head to Cradle Mountain Lodge Tavern Bar & Bistro for a great meal in a relaxed, kid-friendly setting. When it’s wet and cold outside, the toasty fireplace and delicious burgers at the Tavern really hit the spot. If you’re visiting Tasmania in winter, and are lucky enough to catch some snowfall, you’ll catch the Lodge at its best – absolutely postcard perfect!
Tasmazia & the Village of Lower Crackpot
Make sure you include a visit to the quirky model village at Tasmazia & The Village of Lower Crackpot.
Best Cradle Mountain walks for families
You’ve probably heard of Cradle’s renowned six-day hike known as the Overland Track. If you’re travelling with pint-sized bushwalkers, then there are plenty of shorter alternatives suited to little legs.
Rainforest Walk & Enchanted Walk (10 to 20 minutes)
Starting at the Visitor Centre, the Rainforest Walk lasts ten to twenty minutes and is ideal for toddlers and young kids, as is the Enchanted Walk with its engaging information about local flora and fauna.
Dove Lake Track - 5.7km (2 hours)
For primary schoolers and above, take the Dove Lake Track which circumnavigates the deep, blue waters. It has a few (but not many) short steep sections and will take a couple of hours, but is more than manageable for willing walkers.
Overland Track - 65km (6 days)
Last but definitely not least, I would urge experienced teenage families to embark on one of my favourite overnight hikes of all time. Each of the six days of the Overland Track, starting at Cradle Mountain and ending at Lake St. Clair, offers up extraordinarily diverse scenery.
At the end of each day there are basic huts to dry off in or even sleep in, plenty of camp spots and taps to fill up with water. The sheer number of walkers means the track is well maintained, but you will have to pre-book and pay for your position as rangers stagger walkers commencing the track to keep the flow moving.
I recommend having a couple of overnight hikes under your belt before trying this one as you’ll want to know your way around the equipment before you go. I was about 15 when I walked the Overland in a fairly big group with my Dad (who has done loads of hiking) and 12 year old brother, and had conquered several three-day or four-day walks in the Blue Mountains and Snowy Mountains beforehand.
Where to stay at Cradle Mountain with kids
If you’re experienced and game, I would definitely recommend that you choose the camp spots and huts along the Overland as your accommodation. Otherwise, there are some excellent family options that will offer you just as much of an immersion into the Tasmanian bushland.
Camp, caravan or cabin at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain, rent a Cradle Mountain Highlanders Cottage, or stay in the beautiful and kid-friendly Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village.
You share your campsite with a lot of visiting wildlife at Cradle Mountain, including possums and the small, furry, wallaby-looking Pademelons. However when the weather gets cold and rainy – a common experience – it’s wonderful to return to sheltered facilities.
Browse more family accommodation options below:
Top tips for visiting Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
- TrailRider all-terrain wheelchairs are available at Cradle Mountain at no cost (although bookings are strongly recommended.)
- Not keen for an overnight stay? You can book a Cradle Mountain day tour from Launceston or from Hobart covering the region’s top highlights, and head back to a comfortable city hotel when it’s time to tuck in.
More adventures near Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain, stunning as it is, is not the only magical mountain in Tasmania. The natural formation of Launceston’s Cataract Gorge also makes for a great day out, be it on foot, in the air on a chairlift, or in the water for a quick dip.
Here you will find lovely gardens, resident peacocks, toilet and change facilities and a kiosk selling tea and scones. Take a walk on the cliffside and across the suspension bridge for awesome views over the gorge, before enjoying the sun on the rocks and a paddle in the gorge’s basin or in the nearby swimming pool.
Keep exploring the Great Outdoors
Can’t get enough of outdoor adventures in Australia (and beyond) with kids? Add these to your family’s bucket list:
🌳 From waterfalls to ziplines, these outdoor adventures on the Gold Coast are a must!
🚗 Follow the Grand Pacific Drive route for the South Coast’s most stunning scenery
🏞️ Visit Taupō on NZ’s North Island for whitewater fun and geothermal wonders
Opening image: Family enjoying the view at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania Featured. © Laura Helle / Tourism Tasmania
