ROCK THE CRADLE
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, North-Western Tasmania
Difficulty
Level 2: Playing Wilder
DISTANCE
→ 22 km
ASCENT / DESCENT
↑ 1024m ↓ 1024m
ROUTE STYLE
LOOP
The geodiversity of the Wellington Range provides the physical foundation for the landscape, ecosystems and character of Wellington Park and rationale for selecting this exciting route.
Vistas down Snake Plains; a majestic river crossing; a steep climb to Cathedral Rock; ups and downs on the Montagu Thumbs; leaping Wellington Falls; and the finale - rock hopping the Potato Fields.
Cradle Mountain is home to some of the most diverse and outstanding landscapes in Tasmania.
The route begins in the Ronney Creek carpark on the Dove Lake Road and is best accessible with the free shuttle bus service from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. The route follows the famous Overland Track up past Marion's Lookout and kitchen hut, before heading south into the Reserve. After traversing under Cradle Mountain's western face, we then take a left-hand turn towards Lake Rodway, a trail which weaves you down into the valley and the old hiker's hut here.
From the lake there is a slow, gentle climb back up the incredibly beautiful Artist's Pool to meet the Face Track where expansive views of Dove Lake await you. We return via Hanson's Peak, descending down to Dove Lake and meandering back to Ronney Creek past Lake Lila, a photographer's hotspot.
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Begin at the Ronney Creek carpark, the official start of the Overland Track, our route follows the boardwalk and then gently climbing trails to Crater Lake. On this section you will pass through a stand of ancient Pencil Pines refreshed by gushing streams and waterfalls plunging into the valley below.
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At Crater Lake you will be welcomed by the old boat house whose feet rest in the still waters of the lake. On a still, quiet day you may see a platypus here!
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Our route then continues to follow the Overland Track up steeper sections of trail past Marion's Lookout, before reaching the Cradle Plateau. Boardwalks and a wide gravel trail leads you to Kitchen Hut, a proud testament to the early walking era and now an emergency and day use shelter for visitor's to this area. There is a toilet facility located behind this hut.
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After leaving Kitchen Hut you will reach a junction. The left-hand turn will take you to the Face Track and Cradle Mountain summit. However, TURN RIGHT and follow the main Overland Track in a southerly direction towards Waterfall Valley. This next section is quite rocky and rough underfoot. Be prepared to take your time and enjoy the expansive vistas down into Fury Gorge to the west, up to Cradle's flanks on your left and out to Barn Bluff in front of you. Furthermore, we would like to caution you if you are doing this route during the autumn, winter or Spring months. On clear, cold nights the track can be covered in black ice and be very slow going! It is also susceptible to holding snow and snow drifts during these seasons. Please check the weather forecast and be prepared for all conditions on this section of the track!
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Approximately 3km after leaving Kitchen Hut you will reach a junction with an obvious blue sign. TURN LEFT towards Lake Rodway. Whilst initially flatter as you traverse to the edge of the plateau, the track then quickly descends down stairs and steeper sections to Lake Rodway. This can be a welcome relief from the often wild and woolly conditions back up on the plateau.
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Just before reaching Lake Rodway you will arrive at the Scott-Kilvert hiker's hut. The track is poorly signed in this section so take your time. Follow the sign towards the toilet but immediately veer left onto a non-boardwalk section of track. The track will lead you northwards away from the hut and soon have you climbing up the valley under Cradle's eastern flanks. From here you will have impressive views to the escarpment and Little Horn. A favourite place to rest on this section is at Artist's Pool where you will be rewarded with 360-degree views.
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After Artist's Pool the track climbs for a further 1km until we reach the Face Track. TURN RIGHT, at which point you may like to take a small deviation to Ranger's Hut surrounded by its family of ancient Pencil Pines. If not, continue along the Hanson's Peak Track, climbing up and over this small rise before eventually descending down to Dove Lake. You will see a turnoff to Twisted Tarns and whilst exceptionally beautiful, this detour does add on a substantial distance and climb. We recommend saving this for another day!
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Upon reaching the Dove Lake Track, TURN RIGHT and follow the trail past the Dove Lake Carpark and newly built visitor shelter, then up and over the hill to Lake Lilla. When you arrive at Lake Lilla we strongly recommend stopping on its northern shores where you can capture stunning views back across the lake to Cradle Mountain.
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Immediately after Lake Lilla, there is an obvious junction. Take the RIGHT-HAND FORK and continue on a rougher trail down the valley towards Ronney Creek. After crossing the footbridge keep your eyes peeled for wombats and you travel the remaining 300m to the Ronney Creek Carpark. Phew! What a rough but rewarding 20km you have just traversed... Well done!
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Toilets No - nearest toilets are at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
Water Not that we would recommend drinking. Please bring your own. Closest water is on the trail well away from the hiking trail and from fast flowing steams.
Parking No. After 8am all access to this trail requires a shuttle bus from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. Prior to 8am you can drive your own vehicle to Ronney Creek so long as there is space available in the Park. To depart you must follow a shuttle bus. We strongly encourage all participants to use the free shuttle bus service.
Services The closest services are located at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre or Discovery Caravan Park where there are some small cafes and basic convenience stores.
Phone coverage Very patchy Telstra & Optus reception.Terrain Rocky, alpine terrain with many stairs and uneven single trails. There are some short sections with safety chains. In the lower valley stretches are short boardwalk sections and smoother trails.
Approx. Duration 3 - 5hrs
