RoadAtlas
Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

Hobart to Cradle Mountain

Australia

Point-to-point
Hobart Cradle Mountain

In short: Hobart to Cradle Mountain is a 390 km via Mount Field and Lake St Clair scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 3 days, best in Dec–Mar. Highlights: Hobart, Russell Falls, Hamilton.

Distance
390 km via Mount Field and Lake St Clair
Duration
3 days
Best Season
Dec–Mar
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

From Hobart's Georgian sandstone waterfront through the Central Highlands to the jagged dolerite spires of Cradle Mountain, Tasmanian devil encounters, Lake St Clair, and the most untouched wilderness in Australia.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
Check Tasmanian road and Parks alerts before each day. For Cradle Mountain, buy the current parks pass (https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/know-before-you-go/entry-fees) and check the shuttle timetable/private-vehicle rules (https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/cradle-mountain/cradle-mountain-shuttle-bus-information) before arrival. The standard day is the 2-3 hour Dove Lake Circuit. The Grade 5 Cradle Summit is an advanced, roughly eight-hour full-day alternative only for properly equipped hikers after a favorable forecast and ranger check; set a turnaround and never combine it with Dove Lake.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Hobart to Mount Field and Hamilton

Russell Falls and Tall Trees loop · Waterfalls Cafe

Day 2Hamilton to Lake St Clair / Derwent Bridge

Lake St Clair short lakeside walk · The Wall in the Wilderness · Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel

Day 3Derwent Bridge to Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake

Dove Lake Circuit · Cradle Mountain Lodge Tavern

Stops along the route

Hobart — Departure — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Departure
Hobart
Australia's second-oldest city. The Saturday Salamanca Market and the provocative MONA museum alone justify the trip.
Hotels
Hamilton — City — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
City
Hamilton
A perfectly preserved Georgian village in the Clyde River valley, with sandstone cottages unchanged since the 1830s.
Hotels
Cradle Mountain — Arrival — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Arrival
Cradle Mountain
Jagged dolerite spires above one of Australia's great wilderness parks. Wombats graze the carpark at dusk.

Things to Do

Russell Falls — Nature — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Nature
Russell Falls
Tiered waterfall in temperate rainforest beneath swamp gums over 85m tall, the world's tallest flowering trees.
Lake St Clair — Nature — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Nature
Lake St Clair
Australia's deepest lake at the southern end of the Overland Track, glacier-carved and ringed by pristine wilderness.
Dove Lake — Nature — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Nature
Dove Lake
The classic Cradle Mountain reflection in still water, dolerite columns above buttongrass and ancient pencil pines.
Russell Falls and Tall Trees loop — Rainforest walk — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Rainforest walk
Russell Falls and Tall Trees loop
Use the formed park tracks as the day's main walk.
Lake St Clair short lakeside walk — Lake walk — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Lake walk
Lake St Clair short lakeside walk
Choose one named short visitor-centre walk according to conditions.
The Wall in the Wilderness — Carved-art gallery — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Carved-art gallery
The Wall in the Wilderness
Book or verify current entry hours.
Show 2 more
Dove Lake Circuit — Standard alpine lake walk — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Standard alpine lake walk
Dove Lake Circuit
Use the shuttle and allow 2-3 hours, subject to weather and track advice.
Cradle Mountain Summit alternative — Advanced Grade 5 full-day hike — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Advanced Grade 5 full-day hike
Cradle Mountain Summit alternative
Choose this instead of Dove Lake only with fitness, equipment, an eight-hour window, favorable forecast, ranger advice and a firm turnaround.

Where to Eat

Waterfalls Cafe — Cafe — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Cafe
Waterfalls Cafe
Use only within confirmed park opening hours.
Hamilton Inn — Country pub meals — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Country pub meals
Hamilton Inn
Confirm the Hamilton kitchen before arrival.
Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel — Hotel meals — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Hotel meals
Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel
Reserve or confirm dinner because alternatives are sparse.
Cradle Mountain Lodge Tavern — Lodge dining — Hobart to Cradle Mountain — Australia
Lodge dining
Cradle Mountain Lodge Tavern
Reserve or carry a fallback meal.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Hobart to Cradle Mountain drive?

The Hobart to Cradle Mountain covers 390 km via Mount Field and Lake St Clair from start to finish.

How long does the Hobart to Cradle Mountain take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3 days on the Hobart to Cradle Mountain, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Hobart to Cradle Mountain?

The recommended season for the Hobart to Cradle Mountain is Dec–Mar.

Where does the Hobart to Cradle Mountain start and end?

The Hobart to Cradle Mountain runs from Hobart to Cradle Mountain.

What are the main stops on the Hobart to Cradle Mountain?

The Hobart to Cradle Mountain passes through Hobart, Russell Falls, Hamilton.

How difficult is the Hobart to Cradle Mountain to drive?

The Hobart to Cradle Mountain is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Hobart to Cradle Mountain in a regular car?

Yes — the Hobart to Cradle Mountain is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Hobart to Cradle Mountain?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Hobart to Cradle Mountain, based on its 390 km via Mount Field and Lake St Clair length.

Is the Hobart to Cradle Mountain EV friendly?

Yes — the Hobart to Cradle Mountain has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Hobart to Cradle Mountain safe to drive?

Check Tasmanian road and Parks alerts before each day. For Cradle Mountain, buy the current parks pass (https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/know-before-you-go/entry-fees) and check the shuttle timetable/private-vehicle rules (https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/cradle-mountain/cradle-mountain-shuttle-bus-information) before arrival. The standard day is the 2-3 hour Dove Lake Circuit. The Grade 5 Cradle Summit is an advanced, roughly eight-hour full-day alternative only for properly equipped hikers after a favorable forecast and ranger check; set a turnaround and never combine it with Dove Lake.

What scenic tier is the Hobart to Cradle Mountain?

The Hobart to Cradle Mountain is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.