Standing 1,545 metres above sea level in the heart of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain is easily one of Australia’s most famous peaks. The bushwalkers' paradise comes alive in every season, with snow-covered mountains to hike, crystal-clear lakes to swim in and ancient rainforests to explore.
The Visitor Centre opens daily from 8am to 4.30pm (or 5.30pm during peak season), and is a great place to start your Cradle Mountain adventure. You can pick up park maps, purchase a national park pass, get up-to-date reports on weather and track closures, and fill in the walker registration.
The Overland Track check-in counter is also located inside the Visitor Centre, with many superb short walks starting here too. Keep a lookout for hungry echidnas and waddling wombats in the grass.
Those looking to venture further into the park can catch the shuttle bus, which leaves from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and operates seven days a week.