Discover the most popular and easily accessible trail in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Claire National Park, Tasmania.
A visit to Tasmania just isn’t complete without first visiting the fabled Cradle Country. This region is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in Australia.
One of the most popular ways to take in the beauty of Cradle Mountain and its alpine lakes is the short hike known as the 5.7 km Dove Lake Circuit.
In this quick guide, I’ll detail everything you need to know about the hike, including useful tips on getting to the National Park, what to expect, along with photos from my recent visit.

About the Dove Lake Circuit
The Dove Lake Circuit starts from the Dove Lake car park within the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Claire National Park.
The walk follows the circumference of Dove Lake, offering great vantage points over the surrounding mountains including Cradle Mountain, Hansons Peak, and of course, the beautiful Dove Lake.
How long does it take to hike the Circuit?
The Dove Lake Circuit is a 5.7-kilometre loop on a wide, level track. Expect around 2 hours to complete the Dove Lake Circuit hike with time to stop for photos.
How hard is the Dove Lake Circuit?
This hike is relatively flat and with only short sections of incline on sealed steps. The distance is also quite manageable for even the most leisurely of bushwalkers. However, Tasmania Parks rates the Dove Lake Circuit as a Grade 3 hike, which I don't entirely understand.

How to Get to Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain
The first step is of course getting to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.
Location: Car Park at Cradle Mountain VC
This park is quite remote and you'll have five options to get here. Below are links to book the four best-rated day trips (shuttles) to the Visitor Centre from various parts of Tasmania. If you have your own car you can drive to the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.
For all options check out this detailed post covering all of the options for how to get to Cradle Mountain.
- Cradle Mountain From Hobart
- Cradle Mountain From Launceston
- Cradle Mountain From Burnie
- Private Charter option
Dove Lake Shuttle Service
Once you reach Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre you'll buy your ticket and board the shuttle to Dove Lake
Shuttle Details | Information |
---|---|
Departure Point | Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre |
Operating: | Seven days a week |
Summer (1 Oct - 31 Mar) | 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, every 10 to 15 minutes |
Winter (1 Apr - 30 Sep) | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, every 15 to 20 minutes |
You can drive a private vehicle to the trailhead however rules apply so read here for more details from Tas Parks.
Remember you need a Tasmanian Parks Pass to enter all National Parks in Tasmania. The cost for Cradle Mountain is higher. It's often more economical just to buy a Holiday or Annual Pass if you're looking to spend a bit more time in National Parks in Tassie.
Dont Have a NP Pass? Cradle Mountain 1-Day Entry Fee
Here are the most recent prices for a 1-Day ticket to visit the hikes & activities in the Cradle Mountain Area.
Icon Daily Pass - Cradle Mountain only (with shuttle service) | Price |
---|---|
Adults (18 years and over) | $27.95 |
Children (5-17 years, under 5 years no charge) | $11.20 |
Family (2 adults, 3 children) | $67.10 |

My Experience on The Dove Lake Loop
- Hiking Distance: 5.7 km (loop)
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Elevation: 130 m total elevation gain (undulating)
- Difficulty: Easy
The Dove Lake Circuit loop starts at the Dove Lake bus stop. While it is possible to drive to Dove Lake from the Visitor Centre, you're encouraged to shuttle bus from the Visitor Centre, which is free and what we did (included in our National Parks pass).
This reduces the number of cars on the already very narrow road. Just make sure to plan your trip so that you have enough time to catch the return bus. We found updated shuttle bus itineraries at the Visitor Centre which will help you plan.

Once we arrived at Dove Lake, we began the easy, scenic circuit loop around the lake. The signs recommend that we walk the loop in a clockwise direction, which we did.


Highlights Around Dove Lake
The truth is that the Dove Lake Circuit is a very straightforward hike. Being one of the most popular walking tracks in the park, it is very well-maintained and it is impossible to get lost.
So, instead of boring you with a step-by-step, let me point out some of the highlights you might expect on the Dove Lake Circuit in Cradle Mountain!
Scenic Lake Lookout (Glacier Rock)
One of the first highlights on the track is the Glacier Rock lookout. We reached this spot after just 10 minutes of walking. In my opinion, this spot offers one of the best vantage points of Cradle Mountain, the Boat Shed, and of course, the beautiful mountain lake below.
There are also several signposts that give you insights into the glacial activities from the last Ice Age.

The Ballroom Forest
About halfway around Dove Lake, we entered a dense forest with boarded underfoot. This really breaks up the hike and offers a chance for great photos of native moss-covered trees.
Note: The stairs here can be slippery in the early morning of the winter months.




The Boat Shed
The final highlight of the Dove Lake Circuit at Cradle Mountain is the famous Boat Shed. This quaint, wooden shed has gained popularity on Instagram but is not much more than a little shack on the water. In saying that, the position makes it perfect to snap photographs if that's your thing.



After the Dove Lake Walk: More Activities in Cradle Mountain
There's so much more to do and see and do at Cradle Mountain. Below are some of the best-rated and unmissable activities for your next visit.
Where to Stay at Cradle Mountain
Are you looking to spend a couple of days exploring all of the awesome trails in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park? Below are two great options, check them out!

1. Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat Luxury
An award-winning boutique wilderness lodge with an on-site restaurant tucked away in a peaceful rainforest, approximately 40 minutes from the Cradle Mountain National Park. Nearby you'll also find Bridal Veil and Champagne Falls– two of my favourite waterfalls in Tasmania.

2. Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village Mid-Range
Located right on the edge of the World Heritage Listed National Park, The Wilderness Village offers self-contained accommodation in a rainforest setting. In terms of distance to the park, this is as close as it gets. It's a 5-minute walk to the Visitor Centre and a 10-minute drive to the start of the popular Overland Track.
I hope that you have enjoyed my short but useful guide to the Dove Lake Circuit track in Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. If so, be sure to check out some of my other guides too.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!