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In the central highlands of Tasmania, Australia, 165 kilometers northwest of Hobart, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park. This park is not one of the purely entertainment objects; it is visited by tourists who are ready to turn off their mobile phones for a few days and go on an exciting walking tour through the mountains and forests. There are many hiking trails here; the well-known Overland Track begins from the park.
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| Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park Tasmania Australia |
From the history of the foundation
In 1910, the first European, Gustav Weindorfer, visited the Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, Australia. Two years later, he acquired a small plot of land here and built an original chalet for visitors. Gustav named his building Waldheim, which translates as "forest house".
Unfortunately, the original chalet was destroyed in a fire. However, in 1976, an absolute copy of Waldheim was built, which today welcomes guests. It is worth noting that it was Weindorfer and his wife Kate who initiated the group that advocated the recognition of the park as protected. Since 1922, the area of the Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park of 65 thousand hectares was considered a reserve, and in 1972 it was officially declared a national park.
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| Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park Tasmania Australia |
Attractions of the park
The main attractions of Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park are the jagged Cradle Mountain range in the north and the high-altitude Lake St. Clair in the south. It is believed that St. Clair is the deepest lake in Australia , its depth reaches almost 200 meters. Local aborigines call this lake "Liavulina", which means "sleeping water". Even in the northern part of the park, you can see the Barn Bluff cliff, and in the center there are the Ossa Mountain, Oakley Mountain, Pelion East and Pelion West. Ossa Mountain is the tallest mountain in Tasmania, at 1617 meters. The main treasure of the national park is wild untouched nature, alpine meadows, rain forests and picturesque beaches.
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| Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park Tasmania Australia |
The flora of the National Park is truly unique. It is an amazing mosaic of Australian endemics (deciduous and coniferous), 45-55% of which are not found anywhere in the world. The foothills are especially beautiful in autumn, when beech forests are painted in all sorts of shades of orange, yellow and bright red. The animal world is no less diverse. Echidna, wallaby kangaroo, Tasmanian devil, wombat, possum, platypus and other animal species inhabiting the park have become a real emblem of the Australian continent. Surprisingly, 11 out of 12 endemic bird species are registered here.
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| Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park Tasmania Australia |
Tourist notes
From the state capital of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park can be reached by car via National Highway 1. Excluding traffic jams, the journey will take about 4.5 hours. There is no public transport in the direction of the park. If you are staying in Queenstown, it will be easier and faster to get to the park. Via Anthony Rd / B28, it takes about 1.5 hours to get there, excluding traffic jams.
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| Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park Tasmania Australia |
Since 1935, a six-day Overland Track has been laid on the territory of Cradle Mountain-lake St Clair National Park. This tour, with its breathtaking views, has made the park incredibly popular. The Overland Track, which stretches 65 kilometers from Cradle Mountain to St Clair Lake, is sure to appeal to experienced hikers. If you're not planning a long hike, you can take a 2-hour tour to get to know the park in advance. This tour continues to Lake Dove, which sits at the foot of the majestic Cradle Mountain.