Lake St Clair is at the southern end of Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park. It is 2 1/2 hours west of Hobart via the Lyell Highway (A10) and a similar distance from Launceston via Longford and Poatina. At Derwent Bridge turn right onto the 5 1/2km long access road to the lake at Cynthia Bay. From Queenstown the Lyell Highway is a winding and narrow 1 1/2 hour drive.
Both the Lyell Highway and the access road from Derwent Bridge may occasionally be closed by snow in winter.
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 Cradle Mountain via the Cradle Link Road (C132) and the Muchison and Lyell Highways (A10).
Please take care when driving at night as you are sharing the road with wildlife.
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.