A week Tasmania, Australia- 5/11- 5/16/2024
5 day tour of Tasmania-
Day 3 of 5 - Cradle Mountain-5/14/2024
Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most famous natural landmarks, known for its rugged dolerite peaks, alpine lakes, and pristine wilderness. It forms part of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, which lies within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The mountain got its name in 1827, when explorer Joseph Fossey noticed that the mountain’s distinctive twin peaks resemble a miner’s cradle, a wooden device used during gold prospecting. This cradle-like shape is especially clear when viewed from Dove Lake, making it a fitting and memorable name. Today, Cradle Mountain is beloved not just for its dramatic profile but for the diverse ecosystems that surround it, from ancient temperate rainforest to alpine moorland. It’s also the starting point of the world-renowned Overland Track, attracting hikers from around the globe. The combination of striking scenery, rich history, and accessible trails has made it one of the most iconic natural destinations in Australia.
To protect the fragile environment, all visitors have to take the shuttle bus from the visitor center into the park. While waiting Tom is explaining all the different trails available at Cradle Mountain.
Our group waiting for the Bus to arrive and to take us inside the Park.
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We are now on the bus and it is just a short, scenic ride that winds through alpine moorlands and dense forest before arriving at popular trailheads like Dove Lake.
Once inside, there are many hiking paths to explore, ranging from short, easy walks to challenging alpine climbs. Some of our group selected the Dove Lake Circuit, which is about 4 miles loop that takes about two hours and circles the lake beneath Cradle Mountain’s dramatic peaks.
Most of the group selected the challenging Marion's Lookout which is quite steep and rocky, with a fixed chain installed to help hikers pull themselves up the final ascent to Marion’s Lookout. It’s a challenging climb, and once you reach the top, people are rewarded with incredible panoramic views over Dove Lake, Crater Lake, and the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain.
Hoa and I, we did the intermediate hike to Wombat Pool Track, which connects with parts of the Marion’s Lookout route. This trail is popular with hikers who want a moderate climb with panoramic views without going all the way to the summit.
At the start, our whole group walked together along the same trail, surrounded by alpine shrubs and the cool mountain air.
As we began the walk, Dove Lake stretched out before us.
We passed by Dove Lake and in the distance, the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain rose dramatically, though part of the summit was shrouded in clouds.
A panel indicating the many trails available in Cradle Mountain.
On the left is Dove Lake and on the right is the beginning of the trail.
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The trail gradually narrowed as we climbed higher, with wooden and stone steps leading us upward through the alpine landscape.
It was a steady ascent, but each turn revealed more of the breathtaking scenery. When we reached a higher point, the view opened up, Dove Lake below, framed by rugged peaks and stretches of button grass moorland (a unique vegetation type found in Tasmania, characterized by low, tussock-like plants). The contrast between the deep blue water and the rocky slopes made the climb feel completely worth it.
Continuing on the trail.
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It was a chilly Tasmanian morning, and the crisp mountain air bit at our faces as we continued along the trail. Everyone pulled up their hoodies and zipped their jackets tight, trying to keep warm against the cold breeze sweeping down from Cradle Mountain.
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We passed by narrow walkway bordered by trees.
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Parts of the path turned rocky and uneven, and we had to be careful and steady in our footsteps.
We continued along a sturdy wooden path covered with a metal grill, designed to keep our footing secure in the damp terrain. Around us, alpine shrubs and low-growing trees framed the boardwalk, adding to the serene, untouched beauty of the trail.
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In this section there are extensive use of wooden boardwalks, including stairs, on the Lake Lilla Track that protect the fragile sub-alpine vegetation, especially the buttongrass moorlands and delicate mosses, from being trampled and destroyed by hikers.
We are now higher in elevation Lake Lilla nestled amongst the vegetation with the mountains towering above is one of the most iconic and rewarding sights along the Cradle Mountain tracks.
Lake Lilla is a small picturesque glacial Lake. The low-lying golden and reddish-brown plants surrounding the lake are the famous buttongrass moorlands, which thrive in the wet, peaty soils of the region, and there also see patches of alpine shrubs.
The view up here is simply breathtaking.
After a while the path split, some chose the challenging Marion’s Lookout Track, heading up the steep climb toward the summit, As I looked across the lake I see our group continuing their trek. They are way ahead of us even though we started at the same time. It is a common very common experience when hiking with a group, everyone finds their own natural pace, and there is no pressure to be behind.
Here you can really see the group continuing their trek.
They are going up higher and heading to Marion's lookout which is a much challenging hike.
We are on the track that will lead us to Wombat pool. The sign supposed to be "wombat Pool" but it is highly likely that someone has jokingly vandalized it to read "Wombat Poo."
We continued along the Wombat Pool Track and our route was gentler.
Wombat Pool is a small tarn
(a mountain lake) that was carved out by glacial activity thousands of years
ago.
It is generally known for its tranquility.
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After Wombat Pool, the trail gets significantly steeper, and we encounter that long series of steep steps (often made of timber and rock) and toward the top the trail is very rocky and uneven terrain.
We arrived at the "summit" or high point of the Wombat Pool Track, standing on the saddle that separates the lower lakes from the higher plateau. It's a great workout, but the effort is always rewarded with those spectacular views from the top.
On the right is Dove Lake and on the left is Crater Lake, the smaller, more enclosed lake, and it is slightly higher in elevation than Dove Lake.
The wooden path (boardwalk) is located on the flatter section that traverses the high plateau. At the end you can see a bench with the view toward Crater Lake marks a significant point. It is often referred to as the Crater Lake Lookout or the viewpoint just before the track descends to the Crater Lake Boat Shed.
View of Crater Lake from the wooden path.
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We continue our trek...
The view is simply breathtaking from up here.
We are at the saddle or plateau and on the other side are the famous peaks of the Cradle mountain group.
This viewing deck is a deliberate structure put in place to give hikers a safe and clear spot to appreciate the scenery. This spot is one of the most rewarding view, perfectly showing the dramatic, glacier-carved landscape of the area.
We are now at a crossroad with so many choices, and we in the end we decided to take the Overland track to get down to the base.
From this high, rocky edge, the view is a dramatic study in contrasts. The slopes immediately below are streaked with the vibrant gold and fiery orange of the turning Fagus leaves (Australia's only native deciduous tree). This color cascades down to frame the deep, dark blue of Crater Lake. Dominating the background are the immense, dark dolerite mountains, whose rugged, ancient peaks provide a powerful, permanent backdrop to this spectacular autumn scene.
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Below lies Crater Lake, a body of water so deep and perfectly nestled in its glacial cradle, and reflecting the immense scale of the landscape.
We are now making our descent and taking the Overlord track.
NEXT... Overlord track (coming soon)
