Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair | (Official GANP Page)

About

Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park is located on the island state of Tasmania northwest of Hobart in southern Australia. The national park area encompasses an area of 623.3 square miles (1,614.43 sq km).

The mountainous area includes the summit of Cradle Mountain, Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, and Barn Bluff. Lake St. Clair is located in the southern region of the park. The lake and Cradle Mountain serve as the inspiration for the name of the national park.

Over half of the vegetation and alpine flora is endemic to the area. Almost 70% of the rainforest found on the island of Tasmania is accounted for within the national park boundaries.

The renowned Tasmanian devil calls the park home. There are a variety of other popular Australian species found in the national park which include platypuses, wombats, wallabies, currawongs, and echidnas. There are an additional 11 endemic bird species here as well.

The endemic bird species has led to the park receiving accolades as an Important Bird Area (IBA) within the country of Australia.

Photos

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair Trails

There are a number of hikes that explore the mountain and name-sake lake. Other trails let you experience other facets of nature the park has to offer. You are encouraged to get out and explore this wonderful landscape.

Cradle Mountain Circuit:

This is a more adventurous hike traveling through elevation changes over a distance of 12.8 km. It is a loop trail starting and finishing at Ronny Creek car park. It provides a stunning picturesque view of Cradle Mountain towering over Dove Lake. A pinnacle highlight is reaching the summit of Cradle Mountain.

This trail covers a distance of 5.7 km and takes about 3 hours. It is a nice alternative to the more strenuous Cradle Mountain Circuit with part of the trail meandering through the rainforest while also giving good views of Dove Lake.

Cradle Valley Waterfall Walk

This is a shorter and easier trek of 1.5 km to view Knyvet Falls. It takes 40 minutes to make this trek.

Shadow Lake Circuit:

This is a 15 km trek that takes visitors past and along Shadow Lake and Forgotten Lake. It follows Watersmeet where the Hugel and Cuvier Rivers combine together. The Hugel mountain range serves as the backdrop and additional scenic landscape of the trail.

Park Protection

Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park was established as a protected area to protect the captivating landscapes for future generations. The park is a temendous place for citizens and global visitors to experience some of the best natural settings that Tasmania has to offer. The park also protects the habitat for 11 endemic bird species.

Sources

Australia, Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park, https://www.australia.com/en-us/places/hobart-and-surrounds/guide-to-cradle-mountain-lake-st-clair-national-park.html, retrieved October 2019.
Britannica, Cradle Mountain, https://www.britannica.com/place/Cradle-Mountain, retrieved June 2020.
Britannica, Lake Saint Claire, https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Saint-Clair-lake-Tasmania-Australia, retrieved June 2020.
Discover Tasmania, Cradle Mountain St. Clair National Park, https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/about/national-parks-and-wilderness/cradle-mountain-lake-st-clair-national-park, retrieved October 2019.
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania, Cradle Mountain, https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=3297, retrieved October 2019.
Wild Sight, Day Walks: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair, https://wildsight.com.au/cradle-mountain-lake-st-clair/, retrieved October 2019.