Cradle Mountain Guide for Families (with Kids)

Best family activities at Cradle Mountain

Walking

Cradle Mountain is renowned for its world-class hiking trails – and that includes its wealth of family-friendly tracks, too. With such a range of trails covering all distances, experience levels and landscapes throughout the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, there’s something to suit every age and ability. 

Some of the short trails are particularly well suited to families with young kids, with flat, buggy-friendly paths and plenty to see even within a half-hour or hour’s walk from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. 

The Enchanted Forest Loop Track (1.3 km, 20 minutes) is a popular family favourite, getting you up close and personal in Cradle Mountain’s expansive eucalyptus woodlands and mysterious, moss-covered myrtle forests. Another good family option is the Waterfalls Walk short loop trail (1.5 km, 25 minutes), which takes you past the popular Pencil Pine Falls swimming hole and further along the boardwalk to the equally impressive Knyvet Falls, hidden among the trees

For families with older or grown-up children who want to kick on a bit further, each of these short walks connects to several longer, half-day options: such as the Speeler Track (3.4 km, 1 hour 30 minutes), extending above the King Billy Pines trail to a stunning panoramic viewpoint; or the famous Dove Lake Circuit (6.1 km, 1 hour 40 minutes), taking in gorgeous views over Crater Lake and the iconic Dove Lake Boatshed, while also allowing plenty of opportunities for encounters with local Tasmanian wildlife species, many of which are frequently spotted around Dove Lake.

Wildlife

On that note: one surefire way to please all members of the family, young and old, is by learning about and seeing some of Tasmania’s rare and intriguing native wildlife who live at Cradle Mountain. 

The most famous local inhabitant is, of course, the iconic Tasmanian Devil. The best place for viewing and learning about Tasmanian Devils is at Devils @ Cradle, a fabulous conservation and visitor centre that is open year-round. They put on daily events and activities for children, from interactive displays and activity challenges to the immersive Keeper Tours and behind-the-scenes feeding experiences. 

Less famous but no less lovable than their devilish cousins, wombats are another beloved local creature that can be seen at Cradle Mountain. Looking a bit like overweight teddy bears, wombats are closely related to koalas and spend a lot of time sleeping – although they are also the world’s largest burrowing animal, often gnawing their way through anything and everything in their way to dig out huge underground spaces. Their cuddly appearance and eccentric digging habits make them entertaining animals for kids to watch – much like their even more curious-looking neighbours, the long-nosed, spikey-backed echidnas. 

Where to stay for families at Cradle Mountain

There’s a wide range of family-friendly accommodation options around Cradle Mountain. Whether you want a quiet, cosy hideaway or an expansive, multi-room villa with breathtaking panoramic views, you can find something to suit the whole clan. 

Lodges & Hotels

Cradle Mountain is home to some historic Tasmanian wilderness hotels and lodges that know what to expect from family visits. These are mostly centred around Cradle Mountain Village, and very close to the Visitors Centre, which makes it easy to explore Cradle Mountain and, on occasion, get a soaking wet or fed-up child back home from the walking trails to warm up as quickly as possible! The renowned Cradle Mountain Hotel and Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge are the biggest and best-known, offering premium family accommodation ranging from comfortable to upmarket to luxury. Many rooms have stunning views through floor-to-ceiling windows. And you can find everything on site you could ask for: from children’s play areas and childcare services to massage and spa facilities, as well as a range of casual and more refined dining options. 

Cottages & Cabins

Renting a cabin is a great way to feel close to and immersed in Cradle Mountain’s wilderness, yet have all the comforts, facilities and amenities that a family of any size could need. Cradle Mountain Highlander Cottages can cater for any need and any age, with cabins ranging from intimate quarters (well suited to newborns) to large family houses replete with in-house laundry, TV and entertainment, full kitchen, outdoor area and multiple bathrooms. For a rustic backcountry experience a little bit away from the action, check out Waldheim Cabins and Chalets, who offer smaller, camp-style units with kitchenettes. Many cabins are also rented out independently or through online booking platforms, while others belong to local hotels, so you can browse and book directly through them. 

Campsites

In terms of getting out into nature at Cradle Mountain, you can’t beat the experience of camping outdoors. There are a number of camping spots and campgrounds brilliantly suited to families. Discovery Parks – Cradle Mountain is a family-run campground and motor park nestled into the forest, while Cradle Mountain Fishery & Camping has kid-friendly fishing activities and beautiful tent sites overlooking their picturesque dam and bushlands. A bit further from the action (10 minutes from the Visitor Centre), this area is populated by wombats, peacocks and even, if you’re lucky, platypus, which can keep kids of all ages entertained or on their toes! 

Best time to visit Cradle Mountain for families

There’s no bad time of year for families to visit Cradle Mountain. There are better seasons to come than others, for certain activities – for example, the middle of winter probably isn’t the best time to take children on the higher-altitude walking trails; but at the same time, the shorter, kid-friendly tracks are open and less busy than they are during summer, and it’s perhaps the most magical time to see the landscape because the whole region becomes draped in snow! 

For a full rundown on what to expect when planning a family trip to Cradle Mountain, and when to do it, check out our blog post dedicated to the Best time to visit Cradle Mountain.

Ready for a family trip to Cradle Mountain?

If you’re ready to start planning your family holiday at Cradle Mountain, First Light Travel has a few resources that can help you get it over the line. 

First, check out their range of family-friendly Tasmania self-drive tours that include Cradle Mountain. If you are curious about other areas of Tasmania, you can also find lots of detailed information on FLT’s dedicated Tasmania travel blog. I

f you’re ready to start booking now, or you have a few questions to straighten out first, then go ahead and contact FLT’s Tasmania travel experts directly. They can even help you put together your own customised Tasmania family tour itinerary, free of charge.