10 Cradle Mountain Travel Mistakes to Avoid

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is high on many people’s “must do” lists when visiting Tasmania…and for good reason.

 This magnificent wilderness area encompasses ancient rainforest, alpine lakes and button grass moorlands, not to mention one of the Apple Isle’s most photographed mountain scenes - Dove Lake with Cradle Mountain’s jagged peak behind.

 But as locals, we also know that Cradle Mountain is a place where things can easily take an unexpected turn, largely due to poor planning and the changeable weather conditions. Having guided guests here for years, we’ve seen all kinds of travel mistakes and know first-hand what to avoid.

 This article is all about informing future guests, whether you're visiting for a few hours or staying several days.

 Read on to discover 10 of the biggest Cradle Mountain travel mistakes to avoid.

 1. Don't Assume Cradle Mountain Is Just a Quick Photo Stop

 One of the biggest mistakes we see when looking over planned Tasmania itineraries is visitors treating Cradle Mountain as somewhere you can drive to, take a photograph and leave. In theory, you can. But you’ll be missing out on what makes the national park so special in the first place.

 Cradle Mountain’s landscapes deserve time, and with current restrictions on vehicles along Dove Lake Road, you need to use (and pay for) the shuttle buses to get around. It’s not possible to simply drive up to the lake, take a quick pic and turn around again.

 Even if you're not planning a long hike, there are lots of shorter walks to explore that provide a great introduction to this Tasmanian wilderness area. Plus, there are other attractions in the area, such as Devils@Cradle and the Waldheim Chalet that are worth visiting.

 So instead of factoring in only an hour or two, we recommend giving yourself at least one day (ideally more). When planning your itinerary, consider what you actually want to experience at Cradle Mountain and always add in some buffer time in case the weather isn’t working in your favour.

 2. Don't Underestimate the Weather

 Speaking of weather, Cradle Mountain is renowned for its dramatic and highly changeable conditions. A pleasant morning doesn't guarantee that you'll have sunshine throughout the day - it could deteriorate with rain, strong winds, sudden temperature drops and even snow.

 What does this mean? You should come prepared for all conditions - always bring warm clothing and a waterproof, no matter what the weather is like on the morning of your visit. And rather than checking the forecast at Devonport or Launceston, check what the weather is expected to be like at Cradle Mountain specifically.

 3. Don't Wear Inappropriate Shoes

 You don't necessarily need expensive hiking boots for Cradle Mountain and we’d recommend against making unnecessary purchases for a wilderness experience. But there are also some shoes that are completely inappropriate for the national park (high heels, sandals and slides - we’re looking at you!)

 At the end of the day, you should choose footwear based on the walk you're actually doing and the possibility of encountering muddy or rocky conditions. For short walks, we’d recommend a pair of sneakers with good tread at a minimum - something that is going to support your feet and ankles on uneven terrain.

 For longer walks, consider investing in a pair of high quality hiking boots, particularly if they are going to get a lot of future use. Good footwear can make the difference between enjoying a walk and spending the entire time worrying about slipping and sliding all over the place.

 4. Don't Start a Major Hike Without Checking the Conditions

 If you venture off on a short hike in Cradle Mountain and the weather turns bad, you don’t have far to walk to reach shelter. But if the same happens and you’re several hours into a full-day hike, it’s a different scenario altogether.

 Be aware that conditions at higher elevations can be completely different than they are at the trailhead, so don’t come underprepared.

 Before setting off, check current park information, track conditions and weather forecasts at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. If you still have concerns, ask one of the rangers directly about the suitability of the trail that day.

 If you're undertaking a challenging hike, ensure you have enough daylight hours to complete it and always add in some buffer time in case things don’t go according to plan.

 5. Don't Try to Complete the Overland Track Without Planning

 The Overland Track is one of Australia's best-known multi-day hikes and is not something you tackle spur of the moment. It requires significantly more preparation that a day hike, including accommodation arrangements, food preparation and emergency considerations.

 During the main trekking season (October to April), permits are required and these are usually snapped up within a few days of being released online (at the start of July). If you don’t have one, you can’t do the Overland Track, even if you are tent camping.

 So if the Overland Track is on your trekking “bucket list”, make it the centrepiece of your planning, rather than an addition to an already packed Tasmania itinerary.

 6. Don't Get Too Close to Wildlife

 Cradle Mountain’s wildlife (particularly its iconic wombats) may look approachable, particularly when they're calmly grazing nearby. But they’re still wild animals and we want to keep them that way.

 Getting too close may stress the animal and can put you in a potentially dangerous situation. So always enjoy watching them going about their business from a respectful distance. In our opinion, a natural wildlife encounter is always the best kind of wildlife encounter!

 Also, it’s really important not to feed native wildlife - it can alter natural behaviours and make animals sick. If you stop for a picnic on your hike, never leave food scraps or snacks lying around and dispose of all waste appropriately.

 7. Don't Book Accommodation At the Last Minute

 Cradle Mountain is a really popular destination and accommodation options around the national park are limited. So if you're travelling during school holidays, on long weekends or during the summer break, don't leave accommodation bookings until the last minute.

 Booking early will give you a far greater choice of accommodation and you’re more likely to find somewhere that’s suitable for your travel group. It can also help you build a more sensible itinerary around your accommodation, rather than scrambling to find somewhere after planning everything else.

 8. Don't Rely on Having Phone Reception

 Mobile reception can be limited in Tasmania’s wilderness areas. In fact, it can be patchy outside of major cities! So it’s a good idea not to rely on having reception as your only navigation or communication strategy when you’re in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park.

 Before venturing off on a hike, consider downloading information for offline use and make sure your phone is fully charged. For more remote or multi-day hikes, think carefully about appropriate navigation equipment and emergency communication, such as a personal locator beacon.

 9. Don't Ignore Park Alerts and Closures

 The Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service occasionally closes trails and this can be for a variety of reasons. It might be due to track damage, a safety hazard or maintenance work, or it might be to protect the trail from environmental damage.

 If an official notice says a track is closed, please don't attempt to find a way around it, even if the reason for its closure isn’t immediately obvious. There are lots of different hiking trails in Cradle Mountain, so there is always an alternative option that won’t be putting you or the environment at risk.

 10. Don't Underestimate Daylight Hours

 Daylight hours in Tasmania vary considerably between seasons. In the summertime, you might have 15+ hours to explore. In winter, that can drop down to just 9.

 So a route that is perfectly manageable in summer can be much more challenging if you're trying to complete it in wintertime.

 When planning any longer hikes, consider the walking time and whether you will likely return before sunset. Always add in extra time for navigation issues or delays caused by weather or unexpected track conditions.

A Destination Not to Rush

Cradle Mountain is an incredibly rewarding destination and it’s not difficult to enjoy. Even after years of exploring the national park, we’re always left speechless by its natural beauty.

 But it’s a place that does reward preparation - you’ll have a much smoother experience if you plan ahead and are realistic in your expectations.

 It’s worth keeping in mind that Cradle Mountain doesn’t operate like an ordinary tourist attraction. It’s at the mercy of the weather and that can throw a spanner in the works in more ways that one!

 So try to build flexibility into your plans to accommodate the whims of Mother Nature. If you do that, you'll be far better positioned to enjoy one of Tasmania's most remarkable landscapes, whatever the weather decides to do.