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Overview

Choose Your Adventure

Dis­cov­er the spec­tac­u­lar land­scapes of Cra­dle Moun­tain on a full-day guid­ed jour­ney from Launceston.

Trav­el through the scenic Mean­der Val­ley and Great West­ern Tiers, stop­ping in Sheffield, the Town of Murals, before con­tin­u­ing through rain­for­est, gorges and but­ton grass plains into the Cra­dle Moun­tain-Lake St Clair Nation­al Park.

Once we arrive at Cra­dle Moun­tain, the day takes two dif­fer­ent paths. Choose the expe­ri­ence that suits you.

PARK EXPLOR­ER
Dis­cov­er more. Take it all in.

Take in the icon­ic scenery of Dove Lake and Cra­dle Moun­tain with a more relaxed explo­ration of the park. Enjoy time at Dove Lake, dis­cov­er Glac­i­er Rock and the his­toric Boat Shed, and explore the Wald­heim and Weindorfer’s Rain­for­est area with your guide.

DOVE LAKE CIRCUIT
Step into the Wilderness.

For those who want to immerse them­selves in the land­scape on foot, join your guide for the icon­ic 6 km Dove Lake Cir­cuit. Expe­ri­ence ancient rain­for­est, alpine lakeshores, dra­mat­ic moun­tain scenery and unique Tas­man­ian flo­ra and fau­na as you walk around one of Tasmania’s most cel­e­brat­ed landscapes.

A good lev­el of fit­ness and some bush­walk­ing expe­ri­ence is rec­om­mend­ed for this option.

Detailed Itinerary

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change without notice.

  • Day 1: Dove Lake Circuit - Cradle Mountain

    DEPARTING LAUNCESTON

    7.30am

    Your Cradle Mountain adventure begins in Launceston.

    Our coach departs McDermotts’ depot before travelling through Launceston and the surrounding countryside, with hotel pickups available along the way.

    Settle in and enjoy the journey as we leave the city behind and travel towards the Meander Valley.

    THROUGH THE MEANDER VALLEY

    Approximately 7.50am – 9.00am

    Travel west through the picturesque Meander Valley, with views towards the Great Western Tiers and the changing Tasmanian landscape.

    As we make our way towards the Central Northwest, your guide will provide local commentary, sharing stories of the region, its communities, landscape and history.

    SHEFFIELD – THE TOWN OF MURALS

    Approximately 9.00am

    We make a short stop in Sheffield – the Town of Murals.

    Take some time to stretch your legs and explore the town before continuing towards Cradle Mountain.

    Sheffield is famous for its collection of large-scale outdoor murals, which tell stories of the local community, agriculture, history and Tasmanian life.

    INTO THE CRADLE MOUNTAIN REGION

    Approximately 9.30am – 10.30am

    Leaving Sheffield, the landscape begins to change as we travel towards the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

    The journey takes us through rainforest, mountain country, gorges and button grass plains, with your guide providing commentary along the way.

    As we approach Cradle Mountain, keep an eye out for Tasmania’s unique wildlife and the dramatic scenery that makes this region so special.

    ARRIVING AT CRADLE MOUNTAIN

    CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE

    Once we arrive at Cradle Mountain, the tour divides into two dedicated experiences.

    🌿PARK EXPLORER

    Discover more. Take it all in.

    For guests who want to experience a range of Cradle Mountain’s highlights without completing a longer bushwalk.

    Your guide will lead you through some of the iconic locations within the park, including:

    • Dove Lake
    • Dove Lake Boat Shed
    • Glacier Rock
    • Waldheim
    • Weindorfer’s Rainforest

    There is time to explore, take photographs and enjoy the scenery at each location, with your guide bringing the landscape and history of the area to life.

    The Park Explorer is ideal for guests who want to see more of Cradle Mountain while enjoying a relaxed pace and guided experience.

    OR

    🥾DOVE LAKE CIRCUIT

    Step into the Wilderness.

    For guests wanting to experience Cradle Mountain on foot, the Dove Lake Circuit offers the opportunity to walk one of Tasmania’s most iconic trails.

    Join your guide for the 6 km Dove Lake Circuit, following the shoreline of Dove Lake beneath the dramatic backdrop of Cradle Mountain.

    Along the way, experience:

    • Ancient rainforest
    • Alpine lakeshores
    • Tasmanian wilderness
    • Unique flora and fauna
    • Dramatic mountain and landscape views

    The circuit provides a more immersive experience of the National Park and is suited to guests who enjoy walking and want to spend more of their day exploring on foot.

    A good level of fitness and some bushwalking experience is recommended.

    LUNCH

    A packed lunch is provided during the day, allowing you to refuel while enjoying your time in the Cradle Mountain region.

    Lunch includes a selection of items suitable for enjoying while exploring the park.

    Dietary requirements can be catered for when advised at the time of booking.

    CRADLE MOUNTAIN – YOUR TIME TO EXPLORE

    Throughout the Cradle Mountain experience, your guide will share local knowledge and stories about the landscape, Aboriginal and European history, wildlife and the people who have shaped the region.

    Whether you have chosen to explore the park by coach and on foot with the Park Explorer, or immerse yourself in the wilderness on the Dove Lake Circuit, the day is designed to give you a memorable experience of Cradle Mountain.

    RETURN JOURNEY

    Afternoon

    After completing your chosen experience, we regroup and begin the return journey towards Launceston.

    Sit back and enjoy the changing landscape as we travel back through the Central North West and Meander Valley.

    Your guide will continue the commentary throughout the journey, with opportunities to reflect on the day and enjoy the scenery along the way.

    ARRIVING IN LAUNCESTON

    Approximately 5.30pm – 6.00pm

    We arrive back in Launceston following a full day exploring Cradle Mountain.

    Guests are dropped in central Launceston, with the main drop-off point at Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston.

    YOUR DAY INCLUDES

    • Return transport from Launceston
    • Entry to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
    • Choice of Park Explorer or Dove Lake Circuit
    • Packed lunch
    • Expert local commentary
    • Experienced McDermotts driver and guide

    ONE DESTINATION. TWO EXPERIENCES.

    Whether you want to discover the highlights at a relaxed pace or step further into the wilderness on foot, choose the Cradle Mountain experience that suits you.


    TOUR NOTES

    Approximate walking time: 4 hours including stops and free time

    A picnic style lunch is provided as part of the tour. This will be issued to you prior to the walk; please ensure you have a suitable bag to take this with you. Ensure you read through the walk safety guidelines and requirements prior to booking this tour (Dove Lake | Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania)

    IMPORTANT: this track is noted at a Grade 3 for hiking; some bushwalking experience is recommended. Tracks during the walk may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps. Please ensure you have an adequate fitness level to complete the walk for your own safety.

Tour Highlights

  • Choice of Park Explorer or Dove Lake Tour
  • Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
  • Dove Lake with Cradle Mountain Views
  • Sheffield - The Town of Murals
  • Glacier Rock and the historic Boat Shed
  • Waldheim Chalet and Weindorfer's Rainforest
  • Professional guided commentary
  • National Park Entry
  • Premium return transport form Launceston

DEPART­ING LAUNCESTON

Pick-up points, where you will meet our coach:

  • 7.30am Hotel Grand Chan­cel­lor Launceston
  • 7.45am Launce­s­ton Backpackers

One Des­ti­na­tion. Two Experiences.

Both expe­ri­ences trav­el togeth­er from Launce­s­ton and share the same jour­ney into the heart of Cra­dle Moun­tain. On arrival, guests are divid­ed into two ded­i­cat­ed groups, allow­ing you to choose the expe­ri­ence that best suits your inter­ests, fit­ness lev­el and the way you want to explore the park.

Whether you want to immerse your­self in the scenery at a relaxed pace or expe­ri­ence Cra­dle Moun­tain on foot, there’s an adven­ture wait­ing for you.

Your day also includes return trans­port from Launce­s­ton, Nation­al Park entry, lunch and expert local commentary.

DOVE LAKE

Tour: The dura­tion of the walk is approx­i­mate­ly 4hrs includ­ing lunch.
Grade 3: Some bush­walk­ing expe­ri­ence rec­om­mend­ed. Tracks may have short steep hill sec­tions, a rough sur­face and many steps.

Walk­er safe­ty: Dove Lake | Parks & Wildlife Ser­vice Tas­ma­nia
Weath­er con­di­tions in Tas­ma­nia can change quick­ly and fre­quent­ly, espe­cial­ly in alpine areas. Snow, rain, wind and sun are all pos­si­ble at any time of the year, and bush­fires can occur between Octo­ber and March.

Impor­tant: please observe all track signs – they are pro­vid­ed for your safe­ty. Always stay on the formed walk­ing tracks, this is both for your own safe­ty and to pro­tect the sen­si­tive alpine environment. 

It is at the dis­cre­tion of the tour guide to deny a pas­sen­ger par­tic­i­pa­tion due to the phys­i­cal demands of the walk. Should this be the case, the pas­sen­ger will be trans­ferred to par­tic­i­pate in the Park Explor­er Tour.

  • Tour does not oper­ate on Christ­mas Day
  • Com­fort­able stur­dy walk­ing shoes
  • Wet weath­er jack­ets and warm cloth­ing is rec­om­mend­ed, wet weath­er pants are optional
  • Hat, sun­glass­es, sunscreen
  • Please note does NOT include Launce­s­ton Air­port pick up or drop off

Key Details

Inclusions

  • Return transport from Launceston
  • Guided Cradle Mountain experience
  • Commentary and interpretation throughout
  • Dove Lake, Glacier Rock and the Boatshed
  • Waldheim Chalet and Weindorfer's Rainforest
  • National Park Entry
  • Hikers Lunch Pack

Not Included

  • Accommodation
  • Airport Transfers
  • Any activities or experiences not specifically listed in the itinerary
  • Personal Expenses and Travel Insurance
  • Walking equipment or specialist outdoor clothing
  • Hotel drop-off in Launceston (unless specifically listed as an included pickup/drop-off location)

Payment Terms

  • Full payment is required at the time of booking. A booking is not confirmed until payment has been received.
  • All prices are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD) and include GST.
  • Bookings are subject to availability and confirmation. McDermotts reserves the right to cancel or release an unpaid booking where payment has not been received within the required timeframe.
  • Cancellation and refund conditions apply as outlined in our Cancellation Policy.

It is at the discretion of the tour guide to deny a passenger participation due to the physical demands of the walk. Should this be the case, the passenger will be transferred to participate in the Park Explorer Tour.

This tour operates in all weather conditions, unless cancelled by the tour operator. Wind, rain and snow can occur anytime of the year.