CRADLE MOUNTAIN
WALKING TOURS

WALKING IS ONLY PART OF THE ADVENTURE

CRADLE MOUNTAIN WALKING TOURS

Discover alpine meadows, glacial lakes and rugged peaks on unforgettable Cradle Mountain Walking Tours, Tasmania.

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park is one of Tasmania’s most iconic wilderness areas, offering alpine landscapes, ancient rainforests, and crystal-clear glacial lakes. Life’s An Adventure’s Cradle Mountain Walking Tours are designed to immerse you in this World Heritage-listed wonder while keeping things comfortable with our signature pack-free style.

Over several days, you’ll explore a mix of well-known highlights and hidden gems. Walk along the shores of Dove Lake beneath the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain, meander through mossy myrtle forests, and take in sweeping alpine views from scenic lookouts. The region’s unique wildlife is another highlight — keep an eye out for wombats, pademelons, echidnas, and, if you’re lucky, the elusive Tasmanian devil.

Our tours are fully supported, so you carry only a light day pack each day while your main luggage is transferred for you. Evenings are spent in carefully selected accommodation, where you can relax and enjoy hearty, gourmet meals showcasing Tasmania’s fresh produce and fine wines.
With small groups and expert local guides, you’ll have time to savour each trail, learn about the park’s geology and ecology, and experience the magic of Cradle Mountain in comfort, without the strain of carrying a heavy pack.

TOUR INFORMATION

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WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR UNIQUE

Pack Free Walking Tours

Discover the wild beauty of Cradle Mountain with Life’s An Adventure’s Pack Free Walking Tours. Leave the heavy pack behind and immerse yourself in Tasmania’s most iconic wilderness, where jagged peaks, glacial lakes and ancient forests create a landscape like no other.

Our carefully crafted walks let you experience the magic of Dove Lake, alpine meadows and breathtaking vistas with ease and comfort. Guided by experts, you’ll uncover the stories, wildlife and history that make this World Heritage area so extraordinary. At day’s end, relax in handpicked accommodation and indulge in gourmet Tasmanian fare — the perfect balance of adventure and luxury.

Local Wines

With Life’s An Adventure, your Cradle Mountain experience is as much about taste as it is about scenery. After exploring alpine trails, glacial lakes and rugged peaks, unwind with a glass of Tasmania’s renowned local wine.

The cool climate of the island produces exceptional pinot noir, crisp chardonnay and elegant sparkling, each reflecting the purity of its pristine environment. Paired with gourmet Tasmanian produce, these wines add indulgence to your wilderness journey. More than just refreshment, they capture the spirit of the land — a perfect complement to the grandeur of Cradle Mountain and the adventure of walking pack free.

Local Foods

With Life’s An Adventure, walking in the grandeur of Cradle Mountain is perfectly matched with Tasmania’s outstanding local foods. After a day exploring alpine trails, ancient forests and sparkling lakes, you’ll return to meals that showcase the island’s rich bounty.

Think freshly caught seafood, artisan cheeses, premium meats, seasonal fruits and vegetables — all sourced from passionate local producers. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared and paired with fine Tasmanian wines, creating a dining experience that is both nourishing and indulgent. Just as the landscape stirs the soul, the food celebrates Tasmania’s essence — wild, fresh and unforgettable.

Local Guides

With Life’s An Adventure, your Cradle Mountain walk is enriched by the knowledge and passion of our local guides. More than pathfinders, they are storytellers who bring this wilderness to life, sharing insights into its alpine plants, rare wildlife and fascinating history. Their deep connection to the land ensures each step reveals something new, from hidden lookouts to cultural tales woven through the landscape.

Warm, welcoming and experienced, our guides create a journey that’s safe, engaging and unforgettable. With them by your side, Cradle Mountain becomes more than a destination — it becomes an experience of true Tasmanian spirit.

ITINERARY & INCLUSIONS

This is an all-inclusive tour with no hidden extras:

WOW-MAZING INCLUSION:

Spectacular helicopter flight over Cradle Mountain National Park
PACK-FREE AND FLEXIBLE WALKING:

Pack-Free guided walk
Flexible walking options to suit you.
SUPERB ACCOMMODATION:

2 nights at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, situated on the edge of the National Park
TASMANIAN WINES & LOCAL PRODUCE

Tasmanian wine and non-alcoholic drinks served with dinner
2 x delicious a la carte dinners in the Highland Restaurant featuring beautiful Tasmanian produce
2 x hot or cold breakfasts
3 x walkers lunches
Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy during your walk
Hot tea, coffee or chocolate served on the trail.
GUIDED WALK & TRANSFERS:

Superb guided walks of Cradle Mountains best walks
Professionally guided. Our guides are locals who are passionate, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information
Transfers to and from Launceston
Transfers to the trails

Day 1

Day 1 – Launceston – Waldheim – Lake Lilla Track to Dove Lake.

DEPARTURE TIME: 7.30am

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 2-hour transfer from Launceston to the trail. Afternoon: 15-minute transfer from the end of the walk to accommodation.

MAIN WALK GRADE: Walk 9.4km circuit. 5 hours walking with breaks. A good level of fitness is required. Medium Grade.

TERRAIN: Formed trails with occasional rocky sections and boardwalk. Some short inclines. For those choosing the Hansons Peak option, there is a steep ascent and descent over rough, rocky terrain.

WALK ITINERARY: Meet your friendly guides in the foyer of the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston at 7.30am, we’ll begin the drive through rich fertile farmlands and quaint villages to arrive in Sheffield, the town famous for its Murals and the incredible backdrop of Mount Rolland. After our coffee stop, we’ll drive another hour to arrive at Cradle Mountain where the real adventure begins. Today we will start walking through button grass plains, following Ronny Creek to the historic Waldheim Chalet, the chalet holds great significance to the Cradle Mountain National Park and sits among ancient King Billy Pines and moss-covered Myrtles. After our visit, we’ll continue our walk past the stunning Lake Lilla, where views of Cradle Mountain start to come into sight. From here the trail joins the Dove Lake circuit track which bypasses the iconic wooden boat shed, The Ballroom Forest, secluded little bays and ancient endemic trees. During the walk our guides bring the place to life, pointing out the unique local flora and fauna which help make this place so special. Afterwards, we make our way to our accommodation at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge where we enjoy fine dining perfectly matched with Tasmanian wines in one of Tasmania’s most beautiful dining rooms – The Highland Restaurant.

Day 2

Day 2 – Cradle Mountains Circuit – Option to summit Cradle Mountain.

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 15 minute transfer from accommodation to trail. Afternoon: 15 minute transfer from the end of the walk to accommodation.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Option to add an extra 2kms to the walk to Cradle Mountain summit.

MAIN WALK GRADE: Walk 10.2kms. Walk with inclines total climbing 760m. 6-7 hours walking with breaks. Medium Grade. Good level of fitness required. OPTIONAL CRADLE MTN SUMMIT: Total kilometres for the day for those choosing this option is 12.2km. Hard Grade. Excellent level of fitne%.ss and agility required as involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50%.

TERRAIN: Today’s main walk follows formed trails with rocky sections, some boardwalk and stairs with a steep, rocky climb to Marion’s Peak. For those choosing the side trip to Cradle Mountain summit expect steep climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling with some exposure.

WALK ITINERARY: Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before setting out on the day’s adventure. We follow the traditional start to the famous Overland Track, incorporating Crater Lake and Crater Falls, then up Marion’s Peak where on a clear day you can see the Walls of Jerusalem plateau. A billy break at Kitchen Hut gives a chance to rest and appreciate Cradle Mountain from its base. The mountain is a remarkable sight being made up of high narrow ridge with dolerite cliffs on both sides.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT OPTION (weather permitting): The more active members of our group can choose an additional optional walk to the summit of Cradle Mountain to take in magnificent views across the Tasmanian Highlands (a 3-hour return climb from Kitchen Hut). For those who attempt this please note this additional walk to the summit involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50% of the time and requires good agility and fitness. Lunch is at the summit to ensure you have time to appreciate one of the best views in Tasmania. Please note this option is only available when the weather is suitable – the guide will make the call on the day whether this walk proceeds, based on safety.

On our walk back to our hotel we pass the impressive, but equally beautiful, lesser mountains of Weindorfers Tower and Little Horn finally passing the Twisted Lakes and Lake Hanson. This is one of the best walks in Tasmania.

Tonight enjoy a superb dinner featuring local produce and Tasmanian wine in the delightful Highland Restaurant.

Day 3

Day 3 – Dove Canyon walk – Helicopter Flight

TRANSFER TIMES: Morning: 15 minute transfer from our accommodation to the start of the trail. Afternoon: 2 hour transfer from Lodge to the Grand Chancellor Launceston.

WALK GRADE: Walk 5.6km circuit. 2.5 hours walking with breaks. Medium Grade. Moderate to Good level of fitness required.

TERRAIN: Natural track, which is uneven with some easy rock scrambling, and sections of good boardwalk. Walk includes short steep inclines; total climbing 160m.

WALK ITINERARY: This morning after a delicious breakfast, we head out or the last of our walks to stunning Dove Canyon. This appealing walk meanders through a wide variety of vegetation, including button grass plains, open forest, myrtle rainforest and the deep valley of the canyon. During this walk you will visit the rugged gorges and lovely waterfalls that have been eroded by Pencil Pine Creek and Dove River.

Afterwards we join a sensational helicopter flight over Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain for a stunning view of this alpine region. This will give you a view like no other and allow you to get appreciate the grandeur of Cradle Mountain and the Central Highlands, with up close views of the dramatic peaks. We return to Launceston arriving at approximately 5.00pm via a transfer service.

DEPARTURE TIME: We depart Cradle Mountain at 3.00pm arriving into Launceston at around 5 -5.30pm.

FOR THOSE UP FOR A CHALLENGE, why not add an additional day’s walking experience to your Cradle Mountain walk as we take you into the remote Walls of Jerusalem. This is a challenging day’s walk, rated as hard. Only accessible by foot you’ll see stunning views of King David’s Peak, Solomon’s Jewels and Herod’s Gate.

DATES & AVAILABILITY

Dates & Availability

Prices in the table are noted in AUD – use the above currency convertor to calculate costs in your own currency.

PRIVATE GROUPS: Date of your choice is available for groups of 10 -12 people. Subject to availability.
Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
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SOLO TRAVELLERS & EXTRAS:
SOLO TRAVELLERS WILLING TO SHARE
If you are a solo traveller willing to share a room, we will attempt to match you with another solo traveller of the same gender. If we can’t find you a match of the same gender by around 8 weeks prior to the tour, you will be charged the single supplement cost. Subject to availability at time of booking.

SOLO TRAVELLERS WANTING THEIR OWN ROOM
For those wanting to guarantee their own room, a single supplement cost will be charged at the time of booking of $785.
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BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here.

SALE TICKET CONDITIONS:
* Super Earlybird, Earlybird, Spring and Spot Special Sale Tickets: Must be paid in full at time of booking. Refunds or cancellations are not permitted for Sale Tickets however, transfers to another date are permitted 8 weeks or more prior to departure incurring a $200 transfer fee. We advise taking out travel insurance in case unexpected circumstances prior to the trip, prevent you from joining this tour. Early bird or Spot Special discounts cannot be used in conjunction with another offer. We have partnered with Cover-More to provide travel insurance to our guests. To get a quote or purchase travel insurance directly with them Click here. To receive these special discounts, full payment must be made at the time of initial booking.
* Those who have travelled with Life’s An Adventure previously, receive a past passenger discount of $100. This discount will automatically be deducted from future bookings when you book online using the same email address used for past bookings.
* FREE Pre-tour night: Is based in Superior Rooms at the Grand Chancellor Launceston. Room only no breakfast included. Single Supplements will need to pay a $125 single supplement fee.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
* Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
* A deposit of $300 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
* Note: If you are booking within 90 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
* Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
* Credit Card fees apply or contact us for bank transfer payment options. The following fees apply. Australian Credit Cards including Visa and Mastercard 1% +$0.20 per transaction, International Credit Cards including Visa and Mastercard 3.4% + $0.30 per transaction (payments in AUD). International clients can enquire with us about bank transfers in your own currency to avoid transaction fees.
* Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
* We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc. Click here
* Credit for cancelled activities. If a tour activity has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances a credit for this missed activity can be applied to any future tour with us. Click here.

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