Cradle Mountain

From Launceston, it is a 2 1/2 hour drive on the Bass Highway (A1), then the signposted route via B13 and C156 through Sheffield.

From the west, drive 2 hours along the A10 and C132 from Queenstown or 1 1/2 hours from Burnie via B18 through Ridgley, then the A10 and C132 to reach the park.

There is no direct road link through the Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair National Park to join the two ends of the park. Visitors may most easily reach Lake St Clair via the Cradle Link Road (C132) and the Muchison and Lyell Highways (A10).

Please note that buses over 8 tonnes (28 seater) and campervans over 5 metres must be left at the Cradle Mountain Transit Terminal carpark and a shuttle bus or approved tour bus must be used for accessing Dove Lake and Waldheim.

Cradle Shuttle Bus 

McDermotts Coaches operates a shuttle bus service on behalf of the Parks and Wildlife Service. The shuttle bus service operates between the Transit Terminal at the former airstrip to Dove Lake. The service is aimed at protecting the important values of the World Heritage Area while also preserving the visitor experience.

The service has been highly successful in reducing visitor traffic on the road to Dove Lake by one-third. It has attracted a highly favourable response from Tasmanian, interstate and overseas visitors since its introduction.

The shuttle service operates seven days a week. The Cradle Shuttle Bus runs on the Winter timetable (PDF 448 Kb) from 16 May 2009 to 14 September 2009. In addition to your Park Pass fee, a charge for the use of the shuttle bus service may apply.

Visitors are encouraged to leave cars at the Transit Terminal and take the bus to Lake Dove.

Public transport and tours

Visitors wishing to use public transport or tours to access the park should visit our web page on Access to Tasmania's National Parks, Reserves and Walking Tracks.