Wildlife Spotting at Cradle Mountain: What Animals Can You See?
There’s no denying there are lots of places in Australia where you can observe native animals in their natural habitat. Call us biased, but we think there’s something extra special about wildlife viewing in Cradle Mountain, a destination we’ve been guiding guests to for years.
Perhaps it’s the button grass moorlands and the ancient forests or the jagged peaks reflected in the national park’s glacial lakes. This wild corner of Tasmania is home to a diversity of habitats that support a variety of native animals, many of which are endemic or difficult to see elsewhere.
From watching wombats grazing beside walking trails to hearing Tasmanian devils growling after dark, Cradle Mountain’s wildlife encounters are multi-sensory. And the presence of a refuge for threatened and endangered species on the national park’s doorstep only adds to the experience.
So, what animals can you expect to see at Cradle Mountain and where are the best places to spot them?
Wombats
If there is one animal synonymous with Cradle Mountain, it has to be the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus), also known as the bare-nosed wombat.
These “chunky” marsupials are among the area’s most recognisable residents and can often be spotted grazing in open areas around the Visitor’s Centre and Cradle Mountain Lodge.
That said, our most reliable wombat-viewing spot is around the wooden boardwalks at Ronny Creek, which marks the start of the Overland Track.
Wombats are generally most active around dawn, dusk and during the night, so an early morning or late afternoon walk will give you a better chance of spotting them. Keep an eye out for square-shaped droppings on the forest edges and you know wombats are about!
Tasmanian pademelons
Small, shy and incredibly cute, Tasmanian pademelons (Thylogale billardierii) are another animal you’ll likely see in Cradle Mountain and the surrounding area.
Related to wallabies, these compact marsupials are the only species of pademelon found in Tasmania, although they were once found throughout southeastern Australia.
Pademelons spend much of their time foraging among vegetation and forest undergrowth, where their colouring can make them a little difficult to spot. Look carefully around the edges of tracks and in areas where the wet forest meets open grassland and you’ll likely spot one (or more!)
Our suggestion is to pause occasionally and scan the vegetation. Amidst the quiet, you might hear a rustle in the undergrowth that could reveal a pademelon going about its day.
Bennett’s wallabies
Also known as red-necked wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus), these graceful animals are widespread across Tasmania and regularly spotted along Cradle Mountain’s trails.
On first glance, they might appear similar to pademelons. But in fact, they have a more slender build (pademelons are rounded), longer hind legs and a tail that’s almost as long as its body. Bennett’s wallabies also prefer more open forest and grassy areas, whereas pademelons like denser forest or thick undergrowth where they can easily retreat.
As with many of Cradle Mountain’s wildlife species, Bennett’s wallabies are most active around dawn and dusk. Unfortunately, they commonly appear near roads. Take extra care if you’re driving through the are at these times—we recommend driving slower than the speed limit to avoid collisions.
Echidnas
Seeing an echidna in the wild is one of our favourite wildlife encounters as these spiny mammals are so unique! In fact, Tasmania has an endemic species, the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus setosus).
These monotremes (egg-laying mammals) spend much of their time foraging for ants and termites, and to be honest, it can be difficult to spot them when they’re foraging in the forest itself. But we’ve stumbled upon quiet a few on the edge of Cradle Mountain’s trails. So keep an eye on the ground, as well as on the scenery!
If you do spot one, resist the urge to get too close and stay as quiet as possible. Too much noise and an echidna will curl up into a tight ball or wedge itself into a protective position.
If you don’t make any noise, the echidna will likely continue doing whatever it was doing and you get the pleasure of watching that happen!
Platypus
For nature lovers, the possibility of seeing a platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the wild is the ultimate experience, probably because it’s such a rare occurrence. These bizarre and beautiful Australian animals are semi-aquatic monotremes, with webbed feet, a broad tail and a distinctive bill.
But they are notoriously elusive and even though we live and work in the Cradle Mountain area (and have done so for years), we can count on one hand the number of times we’ve seen a platypus in the wild. So if you do, count yourself incredibly lucky!
In our experience, the best places to see platypus in Cradle Mountain are along Pencil Pine Creek (follow the Enchanted Walk) or in quieter corners of Dove Lake. But patience is key! Settle in somewhere comfortable to watch the surface carefully for a brief ripple or momentary surfacing of the animal’s fur-covered body.
Tasmanian devils
Few animals are more closely associated with Tasmania than the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a carnivorous marsupial that’s native to the island.
Its global reputation is largely thanks to the Looney Tunes character “Taz”, who displays (perhaps we should say “exaggerates”) some of the real animal’s real-life chaotic behaviour.
Seeing a wild devil in Cradle Mountain is very rare and far less predictable than spotting a wombat or wallaby. They are largely nocturnal and can be highly elusive, meaning you'll need plenty of luck (and patience) to spot one.
Our recommendation is to schedule a visit to Devils@Cradle—a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of the national park. It provides a refuge for not only devils but also eastern quolls and spotted-tail quolls, all of which are currently listed as either threatened or endangered. Keeper talks and feeding sessions make this an essential stop for animal lovers.
Quolls
As with the Tasmanian devil, quolls are predominantly nocturnal, so it’s unlikely you’ll spot them out on one of Cradle Mountain’s walking trails. But that doesn’t mean they’re not there!
Spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) are the larger of the two quoll species found in the park and named after the distinctive white spots on their tails. The eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) is much smaller and has a plain tail, although its body is still spotted and can be one of two different colours—fawn and black.
If you get an early start or are on an evening walk, you might be lucky enough to spot one of these carnivorous marsupials in the wild, particularly in quieter areas of the park. Quolls are capable climbers, so keep your eyes on the trees, as well as on the ground.
But again, we would recommend visiting Devils@Cradle if you really want to tick quolls off your Tasmanian wildlife bucket list. The keepers here are incredibly knowledgable about quoll behaviours and the important role they play in Tasmania's ecosystem. The after-dark feeding sessions are a hit!
Possums
If you’re staying overnight at Cradle Mountain and see movement outside your cabin after dark, it’s highly likely that a possum is the culprit!
Cradle Mountain is home to healthy populations of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)—cat-sized marsupials named for their bushy tails. They are so common in Tasmania that many locals see them as a bit of a nuisance, getting into roof cavities, destroying vegetable gardens and generally being loud at night. In some urban settings, they’re viewed as “troublesome neighbours”.
Perhaps more endearing are little pygmy possums (Cercartetus lepidus), which are tiny at around 10 grams and up to 7.5 centimetres in length. They come out after to dark to feed on nectar, pollen and insects, but are so incredibly small that they’re (unfortunately) very difficult to see.
Birdlife at Cradle Mountain
One of our biggest tips for wildlife enthusiasts visiting Cradle Mountain is don't spend all your time looking at ground level. The area is also a wonderful destination for birdwatching, largely due to its diverse habitats that include temperate rainforest, alpine vegetation, buttongrass plains and glacial lakes.
The Dove Lake Circuit is a great place for birdwatching, as it passes through several different types of vegetation. Smaller birds such as scrubwrens, thornbills and honeyeaters forage in the dense undergrowth, while larger birds such as black currawongs and green rosellas may be seen in more open areas.
Some of the bird species found in Cradle Mountain are easier to hear than see, so take time to pause and listen, rather than constantly scanning the trees. Also, keep an eye on the sky for wedge-tailed eagles, which can sometimes be seen soaring high above Cradle Mountain’s peaks.
When is the best time to see wildlife in Cradle Mountain?
Unlike Cradle Mountain’s rangers, the park’s resident wildlife does not have a fixed schedule and sightings can happen throughout the day.
That said, early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to be out and about on the trails if wildlife spotting is a high priority. Many mammals are more active around dawn and dusk…and the crowds tend to be lower at these times too.
Weather can also influence your wildlife-viewing experience at Cradle Mountain. The area is famous for its rapidly changing conditions and many animals will retreat to protected areas if conditions are unfavourable.
Our top tip for spotting wildlife in Cradle Mountain is to give yourself time. Rather than rushing along trails to reach the finish line, slow your pace and spend time observing your surroundings. You never know what you might see!
Wildlife spotting responsibly in Cradle Mountain
Viewing wildlife in Cradle Mountain is a privilege and should always be done without disturbing the animals. Australia has strict rules in place to protect its native wildlife and you aren’t allowed to harm, feed or move most species without a special permit.
With that in mind, Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that visitors keep at least two metres away from native animals and strongly advises against feeding them. It may seem like you are doing the animal a favour, but feeding wildlife can alter natural behaviour and ultimately create problems for species in the long term.
A few simple rules to follow when spotting wildlife in Cradle Mountain:
• Keep your distance and let animals approach you (only if they choose to).
• Never feed or attempt to touch wildlife.
• Don't chase animals for photographs.
• Take all rubbish with you and keep food securely stored away.
• Drive carefully, particularly around dawn and dusk.
Remember, capturing that “perfect” wildlife photograph is never worth it if it makes an animal feel threatened. And there could be real (legal) consequences if you do so.
Want to experience Cradle Mountain without a car? Join one of our fully guided or semi-guided tours to Cradle Mountain, which include day and overnight adventures.