There are many trails to take around Cradle Mountain, and after some research, our target today is to start our hike from the Boat Shed all the way to Ronnie Creek, passing by Lake Lilla, Wombat Pool, Crater Lake, Marion Lookout, Boat Shed on Crater Lake and then Crater Fall.
After breakfast, we walked to Visitor Centre to pay for the National Park Entrance Fee, and then took the free shuttle bus there to its last stop, Dove Lake carpark.
Some tips:
- Do not attempt to drive and do take the shuttle bus instead! The roads are very narrow and windy and the bus drivers communicate with each other using a walker talkie so that they do block each other way.
- The weather changes very fast - do bring along a poncho in case it suddenly rain
- There is no restaurant or café along the way. Do bring along some power bar or snacks but remember to keep the park clean!
- Plan for a full day trip here! There are so many things to see at this National Park, and it'll be a waste if you are only here for half a day
- Go early! We (= not physically very fit peeps) choose 1 of the easier trail, and it took us around 5-6 hours to complete (ok we didn't manage to reach Marion Lookout)
- If you intend to go to other National Park in Tasmania (such as Bay of Fire, Freycinet National Park), it may be more worth to buy the holiday pass instead of the daily pass. Check out the pass rates and do your mathematics first!
Reaching Dove Lake Carpark
Sold away by the beauty of Dove Lake
Dove Lake Boatshed - If you do not have a full day at the Cradle Mountain, make sure you visit this boatshed first!
Follow the signs to Lake Lilla
Lake Lilla
Lake Lilla from a distance
Wombat Pool - the sky was quite gloomy, but luckily it didn't rain
Panoramic view of Wombat Pool
Fatigue starts to kick-in - how much longer to reach Marion Lookout??
Such sight that keeps us moving despite the fatigue
Reaching Crater Lake, and Marion Lookout is another 30mins hike away. At this point, we decided not to carry on hiking up and give Marion Lookout a miss
Crater Lake - from this point onwards, it's a downhill walk, so its less tedious and more enjoyable
Crater Lake
Boat Shed at Crater Lake
Boat Shed at Crater Lake
Stream following downhill
1 of the small waterfall along the way
Towards Ronnie Creek
Wombat spotted!
Hello cutie!
Panoramic view of Ronnie Creek
Finally reach the end of the trail!
We took the shuttle bus from Ronnie Creek back to our cottage for a rest, before driving up to Pepper Cradle Mountain Lodge for a short walk to Pencil Pine Falls, and then dinner at Tavern Bar and Bistro.
Short walk to Pencil Pines Falls
Pencil Pines Falls
Dinner at Tavern Bar and Bistro - A treat for completing the hike!
Yummlicious dinner - or perhaps we were too hungry after a long day of hiking
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