Things to do at Cradle Mountain with Kids

 Rugged, pristine and undeniably magical, exploring Cradle Mountain is the highlight of a Tasmanian holiday, writes Laura Barry. 

I adore a scenic walk and the occasional challenging hike, but I wouldn’t describe myself as outdoorsy. You’ll never catch me suggesting a camping trip, abseiling adventure or quiet afternoon spent fishing, although I’ve reluctantly endured all three before. 

Despite this, Cradle Mountain had been on my wishlist for years. And, despite being born and raised in Tasmania, it wasn’t until I’d lived in New South Wales for six years that I finally visited, returning home for a family trip. 

Having travelled to more than 20 countries, I can confidently say Cradle Mountain is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Rugged, pristine and undeniably magical, its alpine landscapes are even more enchanting when dusted with snow in winter. Here, fairytale trails wind through ancient wilderness, tiny toadstool mushrooms appear along the paths, and wombats waddle alongside hikers. One of five parks that form a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, spanning over 1 million hectares, this place is a dream.  

Unsurprisingly, the best things to do at Cradle Mountain are found outdoors. If you’re searching for a holiday destination that doesn’t require international flights, luxury hotels or overpriced restaurants but still offers a world-class wilderness experience the whole family can enjoy, Cradle Mountain is the perfect choice.  

Things to do at Cradle Mountain with Kids

Dove Lake Circuit

The Dove Lake Circuit is possibly the most iconic walk in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Starting from the Dove Lake car park, this 6km loop takes around two to three hours and is where you’ll find the famous Dove Lake Boathouse and Cradle Mountain vista, plus views up to the glacial lake. The well-maintained boardwalk passes through diverse alpine vegetation and offers excellent opportunities to spot native wildlife, including wombats! This walk is relatively easy, but smaller children may get tired along the way.  

Meet Tasmanian Devils

Devils at Cradle is a wildlife conservation sanctuary in Cradle Mountain dedicated to protecting Tasmanian devils, as well as Eastern and Spotted-tail quolls. Open daily, the sanctuary is one of the best things to do at Cradle Mountain and welcomes families to visit during the day to learn about these unique native species through guided encounters, daytime and evening feeding sessions, and close-up experiences with the animals. General entry starts from $27.50 per adult, $15 for children, or from $80 for a family.

For a unique after-dark experience, guests can join the ‘Dessert with the Devil’ encounter. This small-group experience includes an exclusive evening tour of the sanctuary, where visitors are guided by a local wildlife expert to meet native animals including devils and quolls. Guests then visit the Tasmanian devil enclosure to see the devils and their joeys interact, play and enjoy their evening meal, while enjoying a dessert experience as part of the night. From $99 for adults and $75 for children.   

Join an adventure tour

Cradle Mountain Canyons offers canyoning, packrafting and Dove Lake kayak experiences in the Cradle Mountain region. Operating most days from November to April, the small-group tours are designed for all experience levels, with no previous experience required. Depending on the chosen adventure, guests can abseil down cliffs, explore waterfalls, navigate natural waterslides or paddle across Dove Lake. Equipment is provided, and selected tours are suitable for children from six years old.

Weindorfers Forest Walk & Waldheim Chalet

One of my favourite things to do at Cradle Mountain is stroll along Weindorfers Forest Walk, an enchanting short and scenic walk that begins near the start of the Overland Track at Ronny Creek (there’s good wombat spotting at the start of the Overland Track, too!). This 850m walk is perfect for young kids, takes around 30 minutes and leads to Waldheim Chalet, the restored 1912 home of Gustav Weindorfer, whose vision helped establish Cradle Mountain as a tourism destination. Along the way, boardwalks wind through cool temperate rainforest, with moss-covered trees, red-hued foliage and picture-perfect toadstool mushrooms – the stuff fairytales are made of. Should you be visiting during autumn, you may catch the Turning of the Fagus, Tasmania’s renowned deciduous beech that turns a beguiling shade of orange. 

Go flight-seeing

Cradle Mountain Helicopters offers scenic flights showcasing the dramatic landscapes of the Cradle Mountain region. Located near the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and just 500 m from Cradle Mountain Hotel, the operator’s popular ‘Cradle Mountain and Fury Gorge Adventure’ flight takes in mountain peaks, alpine lakes and the region’s natural beauty from above. Flight options start from 20 minutes, with prices from $330 per adult and $160 per child. During June, July and August, flights operate by appointment only and are subject to suitable weather conditions.

Enchanted Walk & Rainforest Walk

If you’re looking for a cruisy walk to do with the kids that’s sure to inspire their imaginations, then the Enchanted Walk and Rainforest Walk beside Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge are ideal. The 1.1 km Enchanted Walk follows a flat boardwalk through pretty rainforest scenes from Pencil Pine Creek, where visitors can spot wombats and pademelons – it’s one of the best things to do at Cradle Mountain. The adjoining 400m Rainforest Walk takes families through cool temperate rainforest, ancient pencil pines and myrtle trees. Stop to get a holiday photo at Pencil Pine Falls. 

Wildlife spotting

Cradle Mountain is renowned for its abundant wildlife, with wombats being one of the region’s most iconic residents. They are often spotted at dusk around the Enchanted Walk, Rainforest Walk, Overland Track, Ronny Creek car park and Dove Lake areas. Visitors may also encounter possums, echidnas and pademelons on their journey. When my family visited, we didn’t see any wombats for a full day, seemingly just missing sightings by minutes – according to the other families we encountered on the trails. However, when twilight came, we found a wisdom of wombats grazing by Cradle Mountain Lodge. So, don’t be disappointed if you miss them on the walking trails – wombats will waddle into your path eventually! To help protect the local wildlife, always observe animals from a distance, avoid feeding or touching them, and follow local signage. 

Challenge your family fitness level

For older children and teens looking for a rewarding adventure, tackling a challenging hike is one of the best things to do at Cradle Mountain. The Marion’s Lookout walk is a medium to hard 10 km return hike, featuring incredible views across Cradle Mountain’s peaks and surrounding landscapes. For a more challenging experience, the Cradle Mountain Summit is a hard 13 km return hike with a 600 m elevation gain, leading to the highest point of the mountain where hikers can take in panoramic views of the surrounding lakes, valleys and peaks.

Get pampered

Tired parents who need a little ‘me-time’ can set aside a few hours to indulge at the Waldheim Alpine Spa at Cradle Mountain Lodge. With lovely wilderness views and four therapy rooms, guests are treated to massages, facials and body therapies administered using Tasmanian-made skincare products. A steam room, sauna, hot tub and cool plunge pool round out the offering. It’s open to both Cradle Mountain Lodge guests and casual visitors.

How to get to Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in northern Tasmania and is best accessed by car. To visit Cradle Mountain itself, head to the northern end of the park, around a 1.5-hour drive from Devonport or 2.5 hours from Launceston via Sheffield. Follow the C136 and C132 to the park entrance, and remember there is no direct road connecting the northern and southern ends of the park so check your route before you set off. 

Where to stay at Cradle Mountain

While Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge remains the region’s best-known luxury stay, there are several accommodation options close to the park entrance. These include Cradle Mountain Hotel, offering forest-surrounded alpine rooms near the visitor centre; Discovery Resorts – Cradle Mountain, with cabins and park-style stays within walking distance of the visitor hub; and Cradle Mountain Highlander Cottages, featuring self-contained cabins. For walkers seeking a more remote experience, the historic and very basic Waldheim Cabins sits deeper inside the park.

Where to eat

Dining options at Cradle Mountain are limited, so it’s a good idea to stock up on snacks before leaving Tasmania’s major cities. For sit-down meals, Altitude Restaurant & Bar at Cradle Mountain Hotel serves breakfast and hearty dinners, while Highland Restaurant at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge offers modern Australian cuisine. Also at Peppers, the Tavern Bar & Bistro at Cradle Mountain Lodge is a relaxed spot for hearty pub-style meals by the open fire. At Discovery Resorts, Hellyers Restaurant showcases fresh Tasmanian seafood, local meats and seasonal produce, while Elements Café at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre is perfect for coffee, sandwiches, pies and grab-and-go snacks. 

Need to know before you go

Private vehicles aren’t permitted beyond the main visitor area, so you’ll need to check in at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre before exploring the park. Here, you can collect maps, get advice on walking tracks and purchase either a Tasmania National Parks Pass or, if you don’t have one, a Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus ticket ($15.50 per adult). The shuttle ticket is valid for 72 hours, with children under 18 travelling free, and provides unlimited travel between the Visitor Centre, Interpretation Centre and Ranger Station, Snake Hill, Ronny Creek and Dove Lake.  

This article is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive.

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