Cradle Mountain TAS

The most anticipated destination of our trip, the quintessential Tasmanian experience, another bucket list travel adventure finally a reality. We came, we saw (we shivered) and we conquered Cradle Mountain, sort of…

We started early in a clockwise direction on the Dove Lake Circuit, a lovely scenic loop encompassing some diverse terrain and microclimates. The Ballroom Forest was especially enchanting, while the native Fagus trees were in full autumn glow, edging the path in shades of gold.

Sadly, cloud obscured the top of the mountain all day and a light drizzle prevented us reaching Marion Peak. However, we were rewarded with a magnificent rainbow over the lake as a consolation prize.

After completing the Dove Lake Circuit and posing for the obligatory group photo at the iconic boat shed, we headed back to Ronny Creek where it took us all of a few hundred metres to find a friendly wombat happily grazing right next to the boardwalk!

Although we’d come to experience the grandeur of the mountain itself, the lower peaks and ridges around the lake created an equally impressive panorama, proving its beauty from all angles and in all conditions.

We ended our fabulous bucket list day with dinner at the Peppers Cradle Mountain Tavern Bistro.

Fun fact: Cradle Mountain was named in 1827 by the explorer Joseph Fossey who thought it bore a remarkable similarity to a gold prospector's cradle.Read more