Cradle Mountain
is the central feature of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair
National Park, part of Tasmania's World Heritage area which
is characterised by a rugged, glaciated landscape with over
25 major peaks and a wide range of glacial formations.
Cradle Mountain
was named in 1827 by the explorer Joseph Fossey who decided
it bore a remarkable similarity to a cradle. It was first
climbed by a European in 1831 when the explorer Henry Hellyer
successfully reached the summit.
1905
was a big year for exploring the Cradle Mountain region
of Tasmania and saw the naming of Little Horn (C.F. Spurling),
Hansons Peak (after Bert Hanson who died of exposure on
a hunting trip), and Lake Lilla by S. Spurling after his
sister.
The sheer magnificence
of Cradle Mountain inspired Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer
to build a chalet of King Billy pine here in 1912 and work
tirelessly for a decade to have the area declared a national
park "for the people for all time". His dream
was realised in 1922, and today a quarter of all visitors
to the state travel here to share his vision.
Reservation
of land began in 1922 when an area from Cradle Mountain
to Lake St Clair was set aside as a 'scenic reserve and
wildlife sanctuary'. In 1927 63 990 ha, including Cradle
Mountain, were set aside as a reserve. Known as 'The Reserve'
to generations of bushwalkers the area was eventually enlarged
to 124 942 ha. It became a National Park in 1971.
In 1978 the
National Parks and Wildlife Service built a replica of 'Waldheim'
and this, combined with the Cradle Mountain Lodge and the
excellent new NPWS Information building, have made Cradle
Mountain one of the most accessible and interesting attractions
in Tasmania.
You can take
one of many short walks in the area to gain a full appreciation
of Cradle’s magic. Stroll from cascading rivers to
dense, old-growth rainforest in just 20 minutes on the Enchanted
Walk, walk the two-hour circuit of Dove Lake, or spend the
day tackling Cradle Mountain’s summit.
It is worth
remembering that this is an area of great danger to the
unwary and the unprepared walker. It is so easy to underestimate
the dangers of mountain weather. It is possible, in the
space of a few minutes, for the weather to turn from a sunny
day to rain and sleet. The dangers of wind chill are such
that the mountain has claimed many victims of hypothermia.
The warmest
months are January and February and the coldest Months are
July and August. Snow can fall at any time of the year but
usually in July, August and September where a good fall
is between 200mm and 300mm.
The warmest temperature
is 30 degrees and the coldest overnight is minus 10 degrees.
Pack warm clothes, raingear,
a map and good walking boots for your visit.
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