Above: The Boatshed at Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain
April 1, 2019
One of the most noticeably photographed places in Tasmania, Cradle Mountain was not on our list for April 1st as the weather when we left Tullah was only just not raining and very grey. Heading for the general direction of Sheffield we turned down the Cradle Mountain Road and after a few kms were greeted by a clear blue sky! Stopping at the Black Bluff Lookout we chatted to a couple who had just left Cradle who explained the shuttle bus system which now operates to get you to and from Dove Lake. The Lookout offers spectacular views in all directions and is your first view of Cradle Mountain when approaching from the West.
After this conversation we decided to take the slight detour to Cradle which is only 3km off the main road. The Visitor Centre offers ample parking, even with the caravan in tow and you need a National Parks Pass (which we had) to use the Shuttle bus service. The bus stops at four locations and there are walks from each so you can spend as long as you want to exploring the area. The Overland Track also starts from part way along the route and is an all day walk (or more) to Lake St Clair to the South. One of the features of the shuttle service is the single lane road from the Ranger Station to Dove Lake using passing bays with the bus drivers reporting their positions from numbered markers using the two way radio.
Dove Lake, and the views to the mountain are always stunning on a clear day and we had one of the best days you could get up here.
We chose to take each of the short walks, first to the right to the Boatshed which takes you right to the water’s edge and is about 15 minutes; this gives views across to Glacier Rock which is the destination of the other short walk in the opposite direction.
The walk to Glacier Rock is a little shorter (about 10 minutes) and with only a short climb to the rock at the end. The views from here are equally as good with a different perspective of the Mountain and lake.
..and so we returned to the Shuttle (which run every 10 minutes) and had lunch at the Cafe before resuming our journey. We may well return here later in the year and do the 2 Hour walk around Dove Lake.
