Cradle Mountain is a small place. The 2016 census recorded 66 people in the locality, so nearly everything you stay in sits within or beside the national park, and your choice is as much about setting as about the bed.
This page covers Cradle Mountain resorts and other ways to stay in the area: the park settings, the two caravan and holiday parks we list, and the tours that bundle a bed with the walking. For the full range, see our Cradle Mountain accommodation page.
Understanding the Cradle Mountain setting
The locality of Cradle Mountain lies across the Meander Valley, Kentish and West Coast council areas, and it takes in the northern half of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It sits about 109 kilometres west of Westbury. The mountain itself, at 1,545 metres, is the sixth-highest in Tasmania.
Route C132 (Cradle Mountain Road, which becomes Dove Lake Road) enters from the north and runs south to Dove Lake, where it ends. That single road shapes the whole area, and it is why the places to stay cluster along it rather than spread out.
Resorts here are traditionally described as blending into the surrounds and following the contours of the land. That suits a place of glacially formed lakes, mossy rainforest and alpine moorland. Wombats are a common sight throughout the area, and pademelons, Tasmanian devils and echidnas can also be seen, so a base close to the park gives you the best chance of meeting them.
Resort and lodge stays
Stays at highland resorts in this area often come with a restaurant, spa, tour desk or a quiet suite or chalet, though every property differs, so check what each one includes before you book. We keep separate pages for the main options, including Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, Cradle Mountain Chateau, managed by RACT, and Cradle Chalet Boutique Luxury Lodge.
If comfort is the priority, our Cradle Mountain luxury accommodation page gathers the upmarket end. Prices and availability change, so we do not quote nightly rates here. We also keep a page of Cradle Mountain specials for current deals.
Caravan and holiday parks
Two parks are listed on this site. Neither shows a price, and pet policies are not stated, so contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
Discovery Resorts - Cradle Mountain
This is a caravan park in Cradle Mountain, in the Kentish Council area. Accommodation includes powered sites and cabins. Details are on the Discovery Resorts - Cradle Mountain page.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
The park itself is listed as a caravan park with powered sites and cabins. You can read more on the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park listing. Remember that the park is also one end of the Overland Track, which runs 80.8 kilometres south to Lake St Clair, so it suits walkers who want to start close to the trailhead.
Tours that include accommodation
If you would rather not arrange a bed yourself, some tours bundle it in. The 2 Day Cradle Mountain Tour from Hobart includes a stay at a lakeside lodge, with small groups of up to 13, from AUD 445. For serious walkers, the four-day Cradle Mountain hiking tour runs from Launceston with lodge stays, from AUD 2650.
The three-day photography workshop, from AUD 1950, includes accommodation, meals and transport. The six-day Island Icons bundle, from AUD 1050, ties Cradle Mountain in with other Tasmanian highlights.
Staying elsewhere and visiting for the day is also possible. The day tour with a guided Dove Lake hike and lunch is from AUD 265, and the Devonport sightseeing tour is from AUD 270. The Hobart day trip, at 15 hours, is from AUD 250. For more ideas, see our Cradle Mountain activities page.
Getting there and how far you are driving
Distances by road from the Cradle Mountain area show why many visitors choose to sleep close by rather than commute.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Strahan | 148 km | about 132 minutes |
| Launceston | 149 km | about 125 minutes |
| Hobart | 329 km | about 259 minutes |
| Freycinet Peninsula | 308 km | about 255 minutes |
Without a car, Tassielink buses run to and from Devonport and Queenstown or Strahan, and McDermott's run buses between Cradle Mountain and Launceston, though not every day.
Climate and when to book
The area has a subpolar oceanic climate with cool summers and cold, very snowy winters. Snow can fall in any month, with an average of 47.9 snowy days a year. Rain is heavy all year and peaks in winter.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.1 | 8.5 | 71.5 | 10.3 |
| April | 14.3 | 5.7 | 85.8 | 13.2 |
| July | 8.1 | 2.3 | 138.1 | 19.4 |
| August | 8.7 | 2.2 | 150.8 | 20.2 |
| October | 13.1 | 3.8 | 99.3 | 15.8 |
January and February are the mildest, with highs of about 20 degrees and the fewest rain days. We reckon a room with a good heater matters more than a pool here, especially from May to September. For wider trip planning, the Cradle Mountain destination guide and Discover Tasmania are good starting points, and background on the mountain is on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Are there caravan parks at Cradle Mountain?
Yes. We list Discovery Resorts - Cradle Mountain and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, both with powered sites and cabins. Contact them for rates and availability.
Is it better to stay near Cradle Mountain or drive in for the day?
Launceston is about 125 minutes away and Hobart about 259 minutes, so staying nearby saves a long drive. Day tours from Devonport, Launceston and Hobart do exist if you prefer a base elsewhere.
Which month is best for a stay?
January and February are mildest, with highs of about 20 degrees. Winter is colder and wetter, with July and August having around 19 to 20 rain days.
