Cradle Mountain - 5 Days

Cradle Mountain - 5 Days

5 Days
Moderate

Cradle Mountain - 5 Days

from $2,845 / person

Overview

Step into Tasmania’s alpine heart on this unforgettable 5-day group-guided walk. The Cradle Mountain region is a World Heritage-listed wilderness, known for its ancient temperate rainforest, glacial lakes, sweeping mountain vistas, and button grass moorlands.

Wander through enchanting moss-covered forests beneath the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain, and follow boardwalks past cascading waterfalls and alpine tarns. Walk a section of the iconic Overland Track and climb to Marion’s Lookout for breathtaking views across Crater Lake and the highland plateau. Along the way, spot wombats grazing on the open plains and listen for the calls of native birds echoing through the forest.

Our expert guide takes care of all the details and provides local insights every step of the way. Plus, you'll get to explore with like-minded walking enthusiasts and relish the camaraderie of trekking in a group.

This trip is perfect for those who want to experience the rugged Tasmanian wilderness with all the creature comforts included. Cosy hotel accommodation and delicious chef-prepared meals await you at the end of each walk, so you can kick back, relax, and enjoy this incredible region.

Highlights

  • Walk on a section the iconic Overland track
  • Explore mossy rainforest at the foothills of Cradle Mountain
  • Climb to Marion's lookout and enjoy views of Crater Lake
  • Spot native wildlife, including wombats, pademelons, wallabies, and echidnas.
  • Explore alpine landscapes on the Face Track
  • Stay three nights at the Cradle Mountain Hotel with an ensuite
  • Stay 1 night in Launceston when you arrive with a welcome dinner and briefing so arriving in Tasmania is seamless and easy.
  • Savour the flavours of Tasmania with chef-prepared, locally sourced dishes

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Tasmania

We start our tour in Launceston and once you've made your way to the Hotel Grand Chancellor there will be a warm welcome and a welcome dinner at the hotel and chance to greet your fellow travellers and attend a briefing to learn about all the fun you'll have over the next week!

Accommodation

4-star Hotel in Launceston

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (4 nights)

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

4

Days on the trail

6-12 km

Daily distance range

200-490 m

Daily ascent range

7/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Your first night is in Launceston, based right in the heart of town with easy access to local parks and shops. The hotel here has its own restaurant and bar, room service, a beauty salon and a gift store, so everything you need is close at hand after a day of travel. For the next three nights you're based in the forest surrounding Cradle Mountain, swapping town convenience for the quiet of the bush. Travelling solo? Your single supplement guarantees you a private bedroom and bathroom for the whole trip.

What You'll Eat

Each night, the hotel's own chefs prepare a two course dinner, and you'll wake to a cooked breakfast before setting out on the day's walk. Packed lunches see you through the trail itself, and they're no afterthought. You'll eat lunch at some of the most memorable spots on the route, with trail mix and snacks along the way to keep you going between meals.

More About This Trip

Cradle Mountain's weather can turn quickly at any time of year, so pack warm layers whatever the season.

See the Bureau of Meteorology for information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure proper clothing.

The walk starts and finishes in Launceston. We pick you up from the Hotel Grand Chancellor on Day 1 and handle every transfer between Launceston and Cradle Mountain for the length of the trip, dropping you back in Launceston at around 4.30pm on Day 5.

Expect some steep ascents and descents, though the tracks themselves are well maintained, easy to follow, and mostly dry and firm underfoot. Some days run five to seven hours, so a reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the walk rather than endure it.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you'll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure, outlining all the fine details and much more.

If you have any questions now, feel free to ask one of our sales team. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at connect@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Cradle Mountain reviews

5.0
35 reviews
5 Star
34
4 Star
1
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0

Megan C
6 months ago

Eric, Dan and Pete were a great combination of supportive, knowledgeable and fun for this Tasmanian walking tour. The walks were challenging and invigorating with many options (hard or not so hard) available each day. I felt they all knew what they were doing and that they also had a great time, which made the whole walking party get along really well.

Edwina M
6 months ago

The guides were fantastic and adapted to variables such as weather, tight timelines, and customer preferences when needed. The walking routes were exceptional!! and a good variety. The addition of Conical Rocks to the tour was pretty special - I highly recommend this forms part of future itineraries.

Barbara K
6 months ago

Entire walk went extremely well. Everything is better than I thought because all the walks and activities were very interesting.

Robert G
7 months ago

This was an outstanding experience for us which was facilitated by the easy to use guide and notes provided by Auswalk. The accommodation choices made by Auswalk were excellent and we looked forward to relaxing after each walk.

Jane T
8 months ago

The guides were excellent and knowledgeable. They managed the itinerary very well.

Joe B
8 months ago

Our guides were great, helpful, friendly, know the region, flora and fauna, geography, geology etc. and passed on information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your luggage is transferred between accommodations for you. You won't need to carry anything more than a daypack on the track.

Included in the trip are five nights accommodation, all luggage and vehicle transfers, transfers to and from Launceston, five packed lunches, five cooked breakfasts, three à la carte dinners, a boat trip on Lake St Clair, national park entry, and navigation support via the Auswalk walking app, maps, and info pack.

The walk is graded moderate overall. Daily distances range from 5km to 17km, with some days involving meaningful elevation gain — the Face Track on Day 2 climbs nearly 500 metres. Most days have a shorter option available if needed. A reasonable base fitness is recommended, and Auswalk suggests being able to comfortably walk 17–25km in a day before you go. Good preparation makes a big difference — building in some hill work and back-to-back walking days in your training will set you up well.

Tasmania's weather is famously changeable, and Cradle Mountain in particular can experience all four seasons in a single day. Locals consider November to May the most suitable walking window, with spring and autumn being the most popular. Summer temperatures average around 18°C — pleasant, but warm clothes and rain gear are still essential. Check the Bureau of Meteorology before each day's walk and never head out without a waterproof layer.

Want to Know More?

The Cradle Mountain Experience

Wonder
Walk Face Track via Crater Lake to Kitchen Hut beneath Cradle Mountain
Circle Dove Lake through cool rainforest beneath glacier-sculpted mountain peaks
Catch a ferry to Narcissus Bay, then follow the Overland Track to Cynthia Bay
Wellness
Breathe alpine air on excellent graded trails through Cradle Valley boardwalks
Unwind in Pencil Pine Cabins with gas fireplace and wilderness views
Savour chef-prepared dinners with local produce and regional wine
Nature
Spot wombats, native hens and echidnas near Waldheim and Ronnie Creek
Wander Ballroom Forest beneath towering Myrtle Beech draped in luminous moss
Alpine moorland, button grass and Myrtle Beech forests around Shadow Lake