It is not surprising that tourists from all over Tasmania swarm to Cradle Mountain to hike through its canopy of trees and scale its neighboring mountain ranges because it is home to many breathtaking sceneries just waiting for discovery. Tasmania provides various itinerary options highlighting the island’s natural scenery and historic communities for a quick trip or a romantic retreat. If you want to go from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, several options are available. The four-hour drive to Cradle Mountain from Hobart is one that you should turn into a full-day road trip. Visit breathtaking natural wonders, stroll through old communities, and look for the best thrift shop in Tasmania.
Hobart to Great Lake
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Hobart, the first city in Australia to have a casino, is also home to the ground-breaking Mona (the Museum of Old and New Art) and a steady stream of new bars and eateries. There are also plans for a cable car to take visitors to the city’s highest natural vantage point, Kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Beginning in Hobart, continue to the Great Lake. The Great Lake, the second-largest freshwater lake in Australia with a surface area of 114 km2, is one kilometer above sea level and has been used to generate electricity. The Great Lake is a fantastic place to go trout fishing. There are a few vistas along the walk, so taking a break to get some fresh air is a good idea.
The Great Lake is one of many storage reservoirs used for hydroelectric production in Tasmania. Additionally, it offers good trout fishing, summer pasture, and other activities for visitors who arrive from Hobart through the Lake Highway. The lake is in the Central Plateau Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site component of Tasmanian Wilderness.
Deloraine
Continue to Deloraine from the Great Lake. The landscape and plants are drastically different from the Great Lake, with dense forests taking the place of the open pastures. Pine Lake is the first thing you’ll pass. You can pause here and take a quick stroll through a trail lined with Tasmania-only Pencil Pines. Steep climbs and tight turns await you after Pine Lake to Deloraine. Keep an eye on the news if you’re traveling during a cold snap because these higher areas are more likely to have ice and snow, which could result in road closures.
On your drive from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, Deloraine is a lovely village and a fantastic place to stop for an early lunch. Deloraine is full of natural beauty, tucked away in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers mountain range and traversed by the sparkling Meander River. Visit a local national park’s limestone caves, stroll through a rainforest, and have a picnic by a waterfall. A lively artistic community that has turned the riverfront town into a significant arts and crafts hub receives daily inspiration from this beautiful setting.
Explore Deloraine by strolling around streets adorned with Victorian and Georgian architecture. View historical structures and the farming tools and implements used by the town’s early settlers. Stroll along the riverfront at the Deloraine & District Folk Museum while learning about local history.
Then explore Deloraine’s vibrant artistic community. Visit the Great Western Tiers Visitor Center to see the expansive textile representation of the town and its surroundings, Yarns Artwork in Silk. It has four enormous panels that each symbolize a distinct season.
Sheffield
If you want to see the Peak District, renowned for its pastoral landscapes, manor houses, mining towns, and mineral springs, Sheffield, an industrial city, is one of the best places to go. Because of the enormous murals painted on every structure, Sheffield is one of Tasmania’s most recognizable towns. You won’t need more than 30 minutes to meander through the quiet streets and take in the artwork because it’s a small, quaint town. Sheffield also features a lot of well-kept parks and a lovely greenbelt area for outdoor recreation.
Explore the city’s streets and take a self-guided audio tour to discover more about the more than 140 murals that reflect local stories and characters. Visit the local studios and galleries. Plan your trip to coincide with the annual International Mural Fest painting competition, which lasts an entire week.
Check out the yearly three-day SteamFest, one of Australia’s largest displays of operational steam machinery, while discussing celebrations. Additionally, throughout a long weekend, local products from the region’s fertile soil are highlighted at Taste of the North West.
Discover the oddly named hamlets of Nowhere Else, Paradise, and Promised Land, as well as Tasmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot in Promised Land, and get lost in their expansive hedge mazes. Relax at the lovely Lake Barrington, an excellent location for a picnic and fishing. The 1990 World Championships were held there on an international rowing course.
Sheffield, located at the base of the spectacular Mount Roland, is a starting point for visits to Tasmania’s most well-known national park, Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair. Sheffield is also a wonderful place to resupply food and supplies. Get whatever you need here rather than going to the little, primary grocery store close to Cradle Mountain because the food selection isn’t pervasive.
Mole Creek Caves
You may divert to Mole Creek Caves from Sheffield, which is only a 30-minute drive away. The little settlement of Mole Creek is along the route from Deloraine to Cradle Mountain in the upper Mersey Valley. Its headquarters are on the Great Western Tiers’ edge. Seventy-five kilometers west of Launceston is Mole Creek. Mole Creek is unrivaled as a stopover location for exploring Tasmania’s middle north.
Many of the beautiful treks in the Mole Creek region offer quiet and tranquility, so take advantage of them. The Leatherwood honey factory is well-known in Mole Creek. Other cave networks are worth investigating, notably, King Solomon’s Cave, which has drawn visitors since the 1850s. A famous wildlife park with Tasmanian devils and a wide range of other distinctive Tasmanian animals is also in Mole Creek.
Lastly, Cradle Mountain
You’ve arrived at your destination at last. Everyone may find something to enjoy in this stunning area north of Tasmania. From kid-friendly hikes surrounded by enchanting forests to exhilarating peak climbs for ardent adventurers. King Billy Pines surrounds the quaint cabins with roaring fires and spa retreats. Dove Lake is the most popular destination in Cradle Mountain National Park and is known for its little boatshed tucked away on the water’s edge.
Tourists frequently line the narrow stretch of sand, taking pictures of the well-known boatshed with Cradle Mountain in the background. Even a relaxing dip in the ice-cold water is available. You can quickly get to Dove Lake, and I strongly advise you to take one of the many hiking routes that converge at the boatshed. The Dove Lake Circuit is the most well-known 6 km loop featuring stunning views, bright wildflowers, eye-catching vistas, and thick vegetation.
The summit of Cradle Mountain should be at the top of your Tasmania bucket list if you’re up for the task. Hansons Peak, Marion’s Lookout, and the Dove Lake Boatshed are just a few Cradle Mountain landmarks you may visit on the 11-kilometer circular walk. The challenging trek is only advised for thrill-seekers because the trails are challenging and steep, and the uphill stretches will wear down your knees, especially if you’re on your feet for more than eight hours.