Destination Profile - Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of a wild landscape, while ancient rainforest and alpine heathlands, buttongrass and stands of colourful deciduous beech provide a range of environments. Ice streams cascade out of rugged mountains, and stands of ancient pines are mirrored in the glacial lakes. Cradle Mountain is also the starting point for the world-famous Overland Track, a 6 day walk through the heart of magnificent terrain.
For many tourists, a highlight of the trip to the northern end of the Park is the view across Dove Lake to Cradle Mountain, one of Tasmania's natural highlights. The mountain itself is a jagged, dolerite peak which dominates the area. There are a number of excellent walks in the area, including the Dove Lake Circuit which takes walkers through the stunning Ballroom Forest, an area of temperate rainforest nestled against the slopes of the mountain.
The Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park is one of the great treasures of Tasmania covering some 126,000 ha of wilderness. Within the park Cradle Mountain itself, which rises to 1,545 m, is one of the most popular destinations for tourists coming to the state. The odd name for it was given by Joseph Fossey in 1827 who thought it looked like a miner's cradle. It was also known for a time as Rock Rib Crest but the easier to remember name is the one that has survived.
Some 60% of the alpine flora is endemic to Tasmania. These include such species as cushion plants (Donatia, Dracophyllum and Abrotanella spp.) scoparia (Richea scoparia) and Tasmania's only native deciduous species, the deciduous beech (Nothofagus gunnii). The latter species provides the superb autumnal colours of the alpine environment.
Bushwalkers and hoofed animals can impact upon the pristine values of the extremely fragile alpine vegetation communities, while fire can destroy many alpine species. It is important that management policies reflect the fragility of the environment.
This destination is part of the Cradled into Freycinet Bay Australian Adventure.
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