How to Get to Cradle Mountain in 2024

Overview: Getting to Cradle Mountain

There have been updates and changes lately regarding fees, costs, and shuttle bus services to Cradle Mountain. To make your Cradle Mountain transport logistics more simple, here is an overview.

• Cradle Mountain refers to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, with its main entrance in northern Tasmania and a large Visitor Centre as the exploration base.
• The nearest towns to Cradle Mountain are Sheffield (50 min east), Rosebery (50 min west), and Devonport (75 min north).
• If you are driving to Cradle Mountain, you will park at the Visitor Centre. Once you arrive, there is a Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) shuttle bus (15-20 minutes) driving deeper into the park with multiple stops including Dove Lake.
• The shuttle bus used to be included in your Tasmanian "Parks Pass". However, in November 2023 this changed and you now must pay $15 to use the shuttle bus, even if you hold a current pass. This was met with some backlash.
• If you don't hold a Tasmanian Parks Pass, you can purchase an Icon ​Daily Pass for $27.95 at the Visitor Centre once you arrive & this also includes the shuttle.

There's plenty to do and see in this World Heritage Listed park, with great short walks to epic 7-day long tramps on the Overland Track. The tricky part about getting there is finding a way to the Visitor Centre. I'll go into more detail on these below.

Easiest Way to Get to Cradle Mountain Without a Car

The easiest way to get to Cradle without your own car currently is to book the shuttle or an active tour. See below for up-to-date prices.

• Coach from Launceston
• Big Day Out from Hobart

Book Private Transport

Organised Day Trip From Hobart

Although getting to Cradle Mountain is quite a stretch from Hobart, there is one reputable company that organises transport and day trips (return). The price includes your National Park entry ticket, air-conditioned vehicle transport and a flexible itinerary once you arrive.

The total time for this huge day trip is around 14-15 hours, which will give you plenty of time to explore the National Park and the early departure is perfect since you won't be wasting any precious daylight hours.

Organised Day Trip from Launceston

The closer proximity between Launceston to Cradle Mountain means there are more options available for getting there on a day trip. The one I recommend is the highest-rated in Launceston and includes heaps more than just the transport.

You'll get

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transportation by comfortable minibus
• Professional guide with full commentary
• Several Guided Walks
• Entrance fee and National Parks Pass
• Lunch
• Water and light snacks

Organised Day Trip From Burnie

Burnie is a great place to base yourself in Tasmania and luckily, a local here runs one of the best small-group tours that answers your question for how to get to Cradle Mountain from the north. Additionally, Burnie is a popular port for Tasmanian Cruise ships, making this particular tour popular for those stopping in the port town.

This is one of the most affordable options for getting to Cradle Mountain and since it's a small-group offering, itineraries are really flexible.

Where to Stay in Cradle Mountain

Did you know that it's also possible to stay near Cradle Mountain? Since there's so much to do and explore here, spending at least a few days is a good bet! Below I've linked to the two best accommodation options closest to the National Park.

• Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village - 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.
• Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat - An award-winning boutique wilderness lodge with an on-site restaurant and is tucked away in a peaceful rainforest, approximately 40 minutes from the Cradle mountain National Park. This is a great retreat for travelers in Tasmania that want to get away from it all and spend some time in nature. Nearby you'll also find Bridal Veil and Champagne Falls– two of my favourite waterfalls in Tasmania.

Best Tours and Activities to Book at Cradle Mountain

Below is my hand-picked list of the best tours and activities available in the park. Since this is the most popular park in Tasmania, I highly recommend booking activities and guides online in advance to secure a spot.