10 Best Stops Between Launceston and Cradle Mountain
If you’re visiting Cradle Mountain during your Tasmania trip, chances are you’ll be driving from one of three locations - Hobart, Launceston or Devonport (the arrival point of the Spirit of Tasmania).
Hobart is the furthest city from the national park, with the drive to Cradle Mountain taking at least 4.5 hours. Factor in rest stops and sightseeing detours, and it’s more likely to end up being a full day’s adventure. Check out our Hobart to Cradle Mountain tours here.
While Devonport is just 1.5 hours away, it doesn’t have a major airport, which makes it less suitable for anyone who wants to fly to Tasmania and rent a car. That said, if you’re arriving as a foot passenger on the Spirit of Tasmania, we offer fully-guided Devonport to Cradle Mountain tours.
Launceston, on the other hand, is a compromise between the two. It has a major airport that receives flights from destinations across Australia and it’s only 2.5 hours drive from Cradle Mountain.
In our experience, lots of visitors opt to fly to Launceston Airport and rent a car there. Some prefer not to drive and book one of our Launceston to Cradle Mountain tours instead.
We think this is a great option as the drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain is one of northern Tasmania’s best road trips.
As mentioned above, the direct journey can be done in as little as 2.5 hours, depending on your route and traffic. But rushing it means missing some of the historic towns, waterfalls and scenic farming country that make this corner of the “Apple Isle” so special.
So rather than treating the drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain as a transfer between two destinations, consider thinking of it as a Tasmanian road trip in its own right.
In this article, we’ll highlight 10 of the best stops between Launceston and Cradle Mountain to help you plan your itinerary. While most are on the main route, there are a few that are a slight detour, but well worth the extra kilometres.
1. Longford
Best for: Heritage estates and gardens
Around 25 minutes’ drive south of Launceston is the town of Longford, known for its heritage properties and rural gardens. Surrounded by fertile farmland, it’s a short detour off the main route to Cradle Mountain, but an essential stop for history buffs.
One of the standout attractions is Woolmers Estate, one of Tasmania’s best-known historic sites. As you explore the heritage buildings and landscaped grounds (now UNESCO listed), you can learn about the generations who lived and worked there.
Connected to Woolmers via a scenic walk is Brickendon Estate, which was established in the early 19th century. Now recognised as an Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property, this working farm has retained its convict-constructed buildings and picturesque gardens.
2. Westbury
Best for: Small-town atmosphere and steam enthusiasts
A 20-minute drive from Longford is Westbury, a historic village and pleasant spot to stretch your legs. It’s located just off the Bass Highway, so it’s only a couple of minutes’ detour on the drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain.
A well-known attraction in Westbury is Pearn's Steam World, which celebrates the machinery, technology and agricultural history of the region. Housed in a historic building, the collection includes steam engines, tractors and vintage machinery connected to Tasmania's farming and industrial past.
3. Deloraine
Best for: Cafes, galleries and riverside walks
Deloraine is one of our favourite places to break up the journey from Launceston to Cradle Mountain. Located on the banks of the Meander River, this attractive town centres around a lively main street filled with cafes, galleries and independent stores.
Our suggestion is to park at the bottom of the town and take a stroll around Riverside Park before wandering up the main street. Kids will love a play at the aptly-named Deloraine Train Park (it’s just across the bridge from Riverside Park). You’ll also find public toilets here.
From Deloraine, you have two options - continue driving to Cradle Mountain via Elizabeth Town and Sheffield or take the slightly longer route through Mole Creek. We’re highlighting stops on the latter route here.
4. Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary
Best for: Tasmanian devils and native wildlife
If you'd rather meet Tasmania's wildlife than explore historic towns, consider a stop at Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary. Located between Chudleigh and Mole Creek, the sanctuary helps to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife so they can return to the wild.
We’re the first to admit that a wildlife sanctuary isn't a substitute for seeing animals in their natural habitat (which you may be lucky enough to experience at Cradle Mountain). But it’s a fantastic chance to get up close to Tasmanian native wildlife, learn about their behaviours and the conservation work contributing to their survival.
5. Alum Cliffs / tulampanga Lookout
Best for: Scenic views via a short hike
Just before Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary is the turnoff to Alum Cliffs / tulampanga, a spectacular lookout that can be reached via a short walk (45 minutes return). Backed by the Great Western Tiers, it offers sweeping views across the Mersey Valley, with the dramatic limestone cliffs providing a striking contrast to the farmland below.
The area remains a place of cultural significance for Tasmanian Aboriginal people, largely because of the ochre that has long been found nearby. As you explore the trail, take time to admire the sculptural works and information panels that highlight tulampanga’s Indigenous heritage.
6. Mole Creek
Best for: Caves, wildlife and mountain scenery
Mole Creek is one of Tasmania's best places to explore the underground world and serves as a gateway to several limestone cave systems. Marakoopa Cave and King Solomons Cave are the main attractions and both can be explored on guided tours (book ahead during school holiday periods!)
If it’s your first visit to a Tasmanian cave, we recommend Marakoopa, which features magnificent formations, underground waterways and glow-worms. King Solomons Cave is smaller but geologically impressive.
If time allows, visit both - they’re only 15 minutes drive from one another.
8. Sheffield
Best for: Street art, photography and cafes
If you only make one town stop between Deloraine and Cradle Mountain, Sheffield is an excellent candidate. Nicknamed the “Town of Murals”, it has transformed its buildings and streets into an outdoor art gallery, with large-scale works that depict the area’s agricultural heritage, landscapes and local characters.
Park in town and stretch your legs with a walk to admire the murals or grab something to eat at one of the local cafes. We’d also recommend stopping at the lookout on Johnson Street, which offers fantastic views of iconic Mount Roland and the surrounding farmland.
Please note: If you’re driving from Launceston to Cradle Mountain via Mole Creek, you’ll need to backtrack five minutes along the C136 to visit Sheffield. If you don’t want to backtrack, you can take the route via Sheffield and Elizabeth Town on the return journey to Launceston.
9. Promised Land and Tasmazia
Best for: Families and something completely different
While it’s not on the direct route that connects Sheffield with Cradle Mountain, Promised Land is only a short detour along Staverton Road. It’s home to Tasmazia & The Village Of Lower Crackpot, a deliberately quirky attraction featuring hedge mazes and themed areas.
It’s a particularly fun stop for families travelling with children and a complete contrast to the wilderness experiences of Cradle Mountain. After several hours of driving through historic towns and mountain scenery, something playful and unexpected might be just the change they need!
10. Bridal Veil Falls
Best for: Short hike and waterfall scenery
Just before the turnoff to Cradle Mountain is a winding road that leads to Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat. It’s not only one of the best places to stay near Cradle Mountain with a fireplace, but also the departure point for the 2.5-hour return walk to Bridal Veil Falls.
This picturesque cascade tumbles 20 metres into Bull’s Creek and forms a curtain of water following heavy rainfall. After passing Bridal Veil Falls, the trail continues through temperate vegetation to Champagne Falls, making this an essential stop for waterfall chasers.
If You Have Two Days to Spare
With so much to see and do on the drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain, we’d highly recommend turning the drive into a two-day road trip.
Day 1: Launceston → Deloraine → Mole Creek → Sheffield
Day 2: Sheffield → Cradle Mountain
Our Top Tips For Driving From Launceston to Cradle Mountain
Check opening times
If you have your heart set on particular attractions or experiences, check the opening times and plan your schedule accordingly. Tours of the Mole Creek Caves have limited numbers, so book ahead during busy periods.
Plan your fuel and food stops
There are lots of small towns and villages on the drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain, but not all have petrol stations and eateries. Deloraine and Sheffield are the two major stops offering supplies - fill up with fuel here before continuing to Cradle Mountain.
Watch out for wildlife
The drive from Launceston to Cradle Mountain travels through rural and forested areas, where wildlife can be active along roads. We highly recommend not driving at dusk, dawn or night when wildlife is at its most active. Always drive safely and within the designated speed limits.
Add in some buffer time
Weather can change rapidly in Tasmania’s alpine areas, particularly as you approach Cradle Mountain. Snow, ice, rain and low visibility can all affect travel conditions, so schedule in some buffer time, particularly during the winter months.
Get your Parks Pass
A valid parks pass is required to enter Tasmania's national parks, including Cradle Mountain. Parks passes can be purchased online or in-person at the Visitor Centre.
Make the Journey Part of the Adventure
The road from Launceston to Cradle Mountain is short enough to drive in a few hours, but in our opinion, it's far too interesting to rush! Along the way, you’ll see Tasmania transform, from historic towns and fertile farmland to the rugged landscapes of the Great Western Tiers.
For a straightforward trip, you could make short stops to stretch your legs in Deloraine and Sheffield, both of which have a good choice of cafes and eateries. But if nature is your thing, we’d recommend exploring the spectacular caves of Mole Creek or hiking to the Alum Cliffs.
For families, the Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary provides a good introduction to native animals, while Tasmazia offers something completely different from the wilderness experiences awaiting at Cradle Mountain.
And once you reach Cradle Mountain, give yourself enough time to properly explore the national park, rather than simply arriving, taking a photograph and turning around. For inspiration, check out some of our favourite short walks in Cradle Mountain and other recommended attractions in and around the national park.