This Cradle Mountain Day Drive Itinerary goes via Mole Creek on the way out, and via Sheffield and the farmlands on the return trip. Cradle Mountain lies at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park and is easily accessible by road. There is an excellent Interpretation Centre at the gates of the Park, and it is worth dropping in for information on the geology, history, topography, flora and wildlife of the area.
It was in the early 1900’s that Gustav Weindorfer, a recent immigrant from Austria, first became interested in the area and protecting it for the enjoyment of future generations. He established the original Waldheim Chalet and was instrumental in promoting Cradle Valley as a tourist destination as early as 1920.
Access was very limited, however, until the construction of the sealed road in 1965, with the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park being declared in 1971. It is a part of Tasmania’s World Heritage Listed Wilderness Area.
This is a part of Tasmania that is very geologically diverse. The whole region having been shaped by glacial erosion and deposition, with many of the mountain, lake and valley features reflecting these processes.
Vegetation ranges from dense rainforest to open grassland, and Cradle Mountain is home to a range of wildlife including Tasmanian Devils, Quolls, Echidna, Platypus and Wallabies.
Leave Launceston on the A1 and head towards Deloraine, Devonport and Burnie. It is worth taking the turnoff roads to meander through the villages of Hagley and Westbury if desiring a closer look at these charming rural towns.
The little park on the left as you are about to leave Westbury is a particularly good place to stop to stretch your legs or enjoy morning tea. Similarly, it is worth leaving the main A1 Highway to drive through Deloraine.
Mole Creek Caves tour (formerly Marakoopa Cave tour), Tasmania, Australia. Image thanks to Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman.
Credit - Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia. Image thanks to Jack Mohr Photography.
Credit -
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia. Image thanks to S0L0
Credit - S0L0
Great Walks of Australia (Cradle Mountain Huts Walk), Tasmania, Australia. Image thanks to Great Walks of Australia
Credit - Great Walks of Australia
Waldheim Alpine Spa at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. Image thanks to Tourism Tasmania & Josh Bradshaw.
Credit - Tourism Tasmania & Josh Bradshaw
Sunset in Main Street, Sheffield, Tasmania, Australia. Image thanks to Tourism Tasmania & Kelly Slater.
Credit - Tourism Tasmania & Kelly Slater
Tasmanian cheese platter. Image thanks to Mitch Osborne
Credit - Mitch Osborne
Launceston on the Tamar River, Tasmania, Australia.
Credit -
Mole Creek & Caves
From Deloraine, take the B12 Mole Creek Road to Mole Creek. The Cafe at the Mole Creek Guest House is a good place to stop for refreshments if required.
The Mole Creek Karst National Park is the home of the Mole Creek Cave system, including the famous Marakoopa and King Solomon’s Caves. Consider stopping for a guided walk through the cave system.
Stay on the B12 road as it winds though thick bushland and becomes the Mersey Forest Road, and then Olivers Road.
This will be a winding, though very scenic route. Olivers Road will T-junction onto the C136 Claude Road. Turn left to Cethana and cross Lake Cethana itself.
The road then climbs back onto the tablelands to join the C132 Cradle Mountain Road. Turn left onto the C132 and follow it as it comes out onto a plateau area.
Watch for the signpost showing the turnoff to the left to Cradle Mountain, and follow the C132 to the gates of the national park.
The Visitor Centre at the parking area is the best place to start your visit. The interpretation section is excellent.
They also advise on weather conditions and walk safety. A shuttle runs from the Visitor Centre into the National Park to visit Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake.
The price of the shuttle is included in the National Park Entry Fee.
Walks at Cradle Mountain
There is a wide range of walks available in the area, though it is always a good idea to check the expected weather conditions at the Interpretation Centre before venturing into exposed areas.
Weather in the area can change with alarming speed, so sensible precautions are advised. Discuss your walk requirements with the staff at the Visitor Centre.
Lunch at Cradle Mountain Lodge
If the weather is cold and rainy, get under cover and relax in front of the wood fire at Cradle Mountain Lodge. Lunch in their Dining Room or Bistro Bar is a treat.
Sheffield, Town of Murals
On the return trip to Launceston, consider taking a different route to drive through some very attractive farmland and rural scenery.
Follow the C132 road back towards Devonport, but do not turn off onto the C136 that you came in on. Go straight ahead on the C132 to Wilmot.
Stay on the C132 to Lower Wilmot, drive through Lower Wilmot and as the road dips towards the river, watch for the turnoff to the Paloona Road.
Turn right onto Paloona Road and take the right turn onto Paloona Dam Road and wind through the forest until it joins Lower Barrington Road. Take the right turn onto Lower Barrington Road and drive to Lower Barrington.
At Lower Barrington turn right onto the B14 Sheffield Road and follow it to Sheffield. Sheffield has been dubbed “The Town of Murals” for good reason, and is worth a visit. Refreshments are available from the shops in the town.
Stay on the B14 Road to Railton. At Railton, turn right onto the B13 Railton Road and follow it as it winds through some very pretty farmland to join the A1 at Elizabeth Town.
At the A1 Bass Highway, turn left to visit the Ashgrove Cheese Factory a few kilometres towards Devonport. It will be on your left.
Back to Launceston
From the Ashgrove Cheese Factory, turn right onto the A1 and follow it back to Launceston.
Using Tasmania.com to organise our holiday was a great move. Traci was so helpful, the whole process so easy and we had the best trip! Highly recommended, really didn’t have to do any planning of our own, everything was covered for us with so many suggestions of things to do, places to eat etc.
Chi Nguyễn
2024-11-27
I went on a 7-day Tassie exploring self-guided tour with Tasmania.com, and it has been a great experience. The plan was detailed with lots of options. Accommodation and car rent were good, and the staff were friendly. We were taken care of from the beginning until the end, so I highly recommend others traveling to Tassie to try the website.
beth bennion
2024-10-07
We usually arrange our own itineraries when travelling, however, the arrangements Jacki suggested and then arranged, proved to be so helpful. I would definitely use Jacki again in the future.
Leah & Leigh Gill
2024-08-17
Excellent service. Jacki was amazing. Took all the work out of it! Told her what I liked and then she organised every aspect, accommodation, activities, tickets, passes, car the works!! All I had to do was sit back and enjoy. Highly recommend.
Karlie J
2024-07-18
Traci was exceptionally knowledgable and put together a truely wonderful holiday for us. Made the whole experience stress free and we had recommendations for places to explore that we wouldnt have found or thought to go on our own. Thank you!
Lesley McCardle
2024-05-04
Our trip was really well organised. The standard of accommodation was great. We had numerous great suggestions to stop and look at while we were driving. We would definitely use a self drive trip again.
Robyn Nix
2024-01-06
Wow!! We had the most amazing holiday and experience in Tasmania. Due to very an experienced and knowledgeable travel planner Traci.
Bruce Christie
2023-11-29
Thanks to Cheryle we had a wonderful 4 1/2 days in Tasmania.
Everything went to plan beautifully, and the weather could not have been better, especially for our 3 days of golf at Barnbougle.
Our room at Lost Farm, the food at both Lost Farm and The Dunes, the upgraded hire car and the morning golf tee-off times - all details were organised to perfection.
A huge thank you from both of us.
David Bromell
2023-11-29
Great local knowledge and a custom-made itinerary for our self-drive holiday, delivered via a hassle-free app
