cradle mountain
Wow! What a spectacular place to visit! Full of beauty and wildlife. It is here where the air feels clean and crisp and the cooler temperatures make you feel alive!
We left Stanley on an absolute high so was hoping that Cradle Mountain was going to deliver the goods. A close mate of ours suggested to plan your visit to Cradle Mountain based on the weather. I can see why. Although we didn't really have the flexibility due to wanting to fit everything into our tight itinerary, we did experience Cradle Mountain in both rain and sunshine. As we were traveling towards our campsite at Discovery Parks - Cradle Mountain, we had some misty rain and fog making but it made our scenic drive feel cosy. We checked in early on site WW56 on Wombat Way which was close to modern amenities and camp kitchen. The reception also stocks some goodies for pure convenience, but some items can be pricey.
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We made the most of an early check-in and decided to do two walks while the rain was holding off. Both the Rainforest Walk and Enchanted Forest Walk are quick, yet stunning, walking tracks that are easy for all ages and takes no longer than 20mins each. you pass some incredible waterfalls along the way and if you're lucky enough, a few wombats and pademelons too! You are from the mainland and have no idea what a pademelon is just like we did, the best description would be a mix between a small wallaby but with the quokka cute factor.
The next morning we woke to some frost but then we absolutely lucked out with the weather! We only had one day to work with and it provided the goods! Clear skies and perfect temperatures for bush walking. We spent six hours trekking through the national park. We started with the Dove Lake Circuit which took us 2.5hours with a morning break included. Such a stunning walk right around the lake, through forests, past waterfalls and the famous boat shed. Next we went to Ronny Creek to complete the Weindorfers Forest Walk which took 40mins return. It was here where we saw fifteen wombats! Lastly we completed the Knyvet Falls Walk which also takes you past Pencil Pines Falls. This took us 40mins return. There are many more walks that range from one hour to three hours. The walks that we completed, including the two walks yesterday, gave us a perfect snapshot of just how stunning Cradle Mountain is.
You require a National Parks Pass to enter which includes the shuttle bus service. Cars are not permitted to drive through the national park during bus hours and to be honest, you really don’t need to drive. The bus service is stopping every 10-15mins. You can buy a National Parks Pass at the tourist information centre (which is across the road from the caravan park), otherwise we purchased ours on the Spirit of Tasmania. We bought a Holiday Vehicle Parks Pass for 2 months which costed us $89.50 as we were staying at other national parks during the trip.
You require a National Parks Pass to enter which includes the shuttle bus service. Cars are not permitted to drive through the national park during bus hours and to be honest, you really don’t need to drive. The bus service is stopping every 10-15mins. You can buy a National Parks Pass at the tourist information centre (which is across the road from the caravan park), otherwise we purchased ours on the Spirit of Tasmania. We bought a Holiday Vehicle Parks Pass for 2 months which costed us $89.50 as we were staying at other national parks during the trip.
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Devils at cradle
During our stay, we went to the after dark feeding tour at Devils @ Cradle to watch Tasmanian Devils and Quolls ripping into their dinner. What an experience! This wildlife sanctuary is working hard towards conservation for both the devils and quolls. What surprised us all was the fact that devils aren’t aggressive! They will only attack if they feel threatened, but other than that, they want nothing to do with humans. Their jaw pressure is stronger than a crocodile and they will eat through flesh and bone. As for quolls, they can jump four metres and they all have spots, only the spotted-tailed quoll has spots on its tail, the Eastern-spotted quoll does not! So many facts to share but this sanctuary is self-funded so be sure to visit to discover more about the devils and quolls, and know that your money is going back to helping these cuties survive.
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Our two night stay gave us a great taste of what Cradle Mountain National Park has to offer. We could easily have spent one or two more nights there. However, it was time for us to hit the road again to start to make our way to the West Coast! Buckle up, this one was one wild ride!
Peace + love,
Peace + love,