From the dramatic snowy peaks peaks in the north, to the vast glacial lake in the south;  cascading rivers , and dense old growth rain-forest in between, this jewel of Tasmania’s central highlands region is one of the five National parks that form the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

History of the National Park

The first European settlers to visit the area in the 1820’s were soon followed by explorers and prospectors. Some of the old timber huts still standing in the valley probably date back to these times.

With increasing numbers of visitors and growing interest in settling the area, in 1885  the land around Lake St Clair was formally set aside for public enjoyment, by the government, in a very early and far-sighted act of conservation. It was declared a Scenic Reserve in 1922, and a National Park in 1971. It now covers an area of 161,000 hectares.

Within the spectacular geography and landscapes, the park is famous for its many walking trails especially the iconic Overland Track  stretching over seventy kilometres north to south , between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair.

Many of the park’s natural features carry names from classical Greek mythology – such as Pelion, Olympus and Narcissus, named in the 1830’s by Surveyor General George Frankland, inspired by what he considered the area’s ‘classical’ beauty.

Most of the spectacular mountain peaks and lakes were formed by up to three ancient glacial advancements , occurring between two million and ten thousand years ago. The ridges and mounds of the valleys, known as Moraines, were formed by the rocks and gravel deposited as glacial ice moved and melted across the landscape.

Scenic Highlights of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair national park

Lake St Clair  Australia’s deepest lake makes for picturesque water and mountain views all along the shoreline

Spectacular forests and flora

• Diverse alpine vegetation, as well as cool mossy rain forests
• Native pines;  Pencil pines, King Billy pine, and Celery Top.
• Fagus Beech (unique as Australia’s only deciduous native) provides a spectacular autumn color change, which attracts travellers through Autumn ( March to may).
• Colorful wildflowers that reach full bloom in summer ( Dec – Feb )
• Around Lake st Clair; native plants such as black peppermint, mountain white gum, and swamp peppermint,
• On the higher plains :  snow gums, silver wattle, banksias and waratahs.
• Within the Cool temperate rainforests:  myrtle beech and sassafras,
• Pandani ( giant grasstree), a palm-like stem growing up to 12 m high

Panoramic Peaks

• Mount Ossa – Tasmanias highest peak at 1617m
• Barn Bluff – Tasmania’s fourth highest peak – towers dramatically as it stands alone in its surrounding landscape
• Mount Ida – a  craggy triangular summit jutting into the sky, best viewed across the lake from the western shore.

Appreciating Lake St Clair,  in all seasons

Being an alpine region, the climate is most usually cool and fresh, and subject to some unpredictable changes , yet this is an essential part of the wilderness’ beautiful  identity, where different aspects of the landscape reveal themselves in changing conditions.

From  evocative mists shrouding the lake , to dustings of snow on nearby  hills, to brilliant sunshine glistening off the water.  Prepare for whatever nature can offer and you’ll delight in every mood of the lake, mountains and rainforest in this wonderful wilderness.