The gardener’s bucket list
CRADLE MOUNTAIN & DOVE LAKE in Tasmania, Australia The Tasmanian wilderness o ers a lot – grand views, botanical treasures, and sometimes even wombats in the snow, writes JENNIFER STACKHOUSE
Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake, in Tasmania, Australia
Avisit to Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake had long been on my bucket list. But despite my many trips to Tasmania, it took an interstate move to a property with a view of the famous mountain before I actually got there.
Located in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain in the island’s north-west is about an hour’s drive – steep and winding – from the small town of Sheffield, where I live. Set beneath the 1545m-high, cradle-shaped, doleritic mountain is tranquil Dove Lake.
There are lots of reasons to visit Cradle Mountain: majestic views, native alpine flora, cute animals and birds, and snow, to name but a few. The good news is you don’t have to be a super-fit hiker to get there. Until recently, those with a Parks Pass could drive to the edge of Dove Lake, and park. Now, parking is restricted, so access is via a frequent shuttle bus from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.
An improved viewing shelter at Dove Lake is also under construction. As well as offering updated amenities, the modern building, which will occupy the old bitumen car park, promises glorious views of the mountain and lake. Shelter is an important consideration in this part of the world with its changeable mountain weather.
A well-made path with long stretches of boardwalk circumnavigates Dove Lake. This 6km walk takes two to three hours, and there are plenty of spots to sit and take in the view. There are several steep parts with steps, but for the most part the track is level and easy to walk.
If you don’t want to do a long, energetic walk, the short stroll to the old boathouse allows you to enjoy the glorious views,