Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park


In the central highlands of Tasmania, 165 km to the north-west of Hobart, there is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Cradle Mountain National Park - Lake St. Clair National Park. This park is not among the purely entertaining objects, it is visited by tourists who are ready to disconnect their mobile phones for a few days and go on an exciting walking tour through the mountains and forests. There are a lot of hiking trails here, it is from the park area that the well-known Overland Track route begins.

From the history of the foundation

In 1910, the territory of the park was visited by the first European Gustav Weindorfer. Two years later he received a small piece of land and built an original chalet for visitors. Gustav named his building Waldheim, which translates as "forest house". Unfortunately, the original chalet was destroyed during the fire. However, in 1976 an absolute copy of Waldheim was built, which even today welcomes guests. It should be noted that it was Windorfer and his wife Keith who initiated the group, which advocated the recognition of the protected park area. Since 1922, the park area of ​​65 thousand hectares was considered a reserve, and in 1972 it was officially declared a national park.

Attractions of the park

The main attractions of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park are the crooked mountain range Cradle Mountain, located in the north, and the highland St. Clair Lake, which is located in the south. It is believed that Saint Clair is the deepest lake in Australia , its depth reaches almost 200 meters. Local aborigines call this lake "Liavulina", which means "sleeping water". In the northern part of the park you can see the Barn Bluff cliff, and in the center rise the mountains of Ossa Mountain, Oakley Mountain, Pelion East and Pelion West. Ossa Mountain is the highest mountain in Tasmania, its height is 1617 meters. The main wealth of the national park is a wild untouched nature, alpine meadows, rain forests and picturesque beaches.

The plant world of the national park is truly unique. It is an amazing mosaic of Australian endemic (deciduous and coniferous), 45-55% of which is not found in any place in the world. Particularly beautiful are the foothills in autumn, when beech forests are painted in various shades of orange, yellow and bright red. No less diverse and fauna. Echidna, wallaby kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, wombat, opossum, platypus and other species of animals inhabiting the park became a real emblem of the Australian continent. Surprisingly, 11 out of 12 species of endemic birds are recorded here.

To the tourist on a note

From the capital of the state of Tasmania to the National Park "Cradle Mountain Lake City Clair" can be reached by car through National Highway 1. If you do not take into account traffic jams, then you will spend about 4.5 hours on the trip. Public transport in the direction of the park does not go. If you stayed at Queenstown, then getting to the park will be easier and faster. Through Anthony Rd / B28 on the road without taking into account traffic jams takes about 1.5 hours.

Since 1935 on the territory of the National Park "Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair" is laid six-day route Overland Track. This tour with its breathtaking views of the spirit brought the park an unusual popularity. The Overland Track route, which stretches for 65 kilometers from Mount Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair, is sure to appeal to experienced travelers. If you do not plan a long walk, you can go on a two-hour tour for a preliminary acquaintance with the park. This tour takes you to Lake Dove, which lies at the foot of the majestic Mount Cradle Mountain.