Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
363 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
113
Average
56
Poor
23
Terrible
21
Michael G
Shorne, UK295 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A very good Visitor Centre which is going through a big improvement and enlargement. Very well organised and run for visitors to the Park.
The daily bus shuttles extremely good as are the drivers, who are also very helpful and informative.
This Park is a ‘Must’ for visitors to Tasmania.
The cafe though needs enlarging and improving. After trekking in the morning we arrived there at 1 pm to have lunch and basically there was nothing available apart from a few pasties !! We tried to order and the guy on the counter did ask the kitchen but replied that No nothing was currently available as they had to be cooked. This is not good enough and the management should ensure the facilities are there for the high number of visitors.
The daily bus shuttles extremely good as are the drivers, who are also very helpful and informative.
This Park is a ‘Must’ for visitors to Tasmania.
The cafe though needs enlarging and improving. After trekking in the morning we arrived there at 1 pm to have lunch and basically there was nothing available apart from a few pasties !! We tried to order and the guy on the counter did ask the kitchen but replied that No nothing was currently available as they had to be cooked. This is not good enough and the management should ensure the facilities are there for the high number of visitors.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
40044327
Brisbane, Australia635 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
After finding a car park, wander to the visitor centre to find the shop (warm clothing, random camping gear) and where you buy tickets to get into the park (unless you already bought a national parks pass for $60 - don't buy another ticket if you did). Tickets were $16.50 each for adults I think. There are maps on the wall and they also give you one so you know where to get off at for the walk you want to do. They also grade the walks so you can decide which one is best for you. The bus ride to the stops is only a short one, and on the bus trip to the site we managed to see a wombat and echidnas which was exciting! Keep an eye out for animals!
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah_nz31
Leichhardt, Australia278 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
The visitor’s centre itself is nice, with clean toilet facilities and a shop where you can purchase additional clothing items (at a price). The food options, or lack thereof, let this place down. The cafe was under-staffed, with over-priced and limited food options which run out by lunch/early afternoon. I would recommend grabbing a bite at the Pepper’s Lodge, which is warm.
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seeknfind
Brsibane,Australia434 contributions
Nov 2021
Very disappointing visit to Cradle Mountain National Park. After nearly 2 years of delaying our group trip to Tasmania due to Covid restrictions we finally made it. Including a couple of nights booked close enough to visit Cradle Mountain for walking, a first for some of our group. After a very early morning start we arrived at the Visitor Info to be told that no buses were running to Ronnie Creek or Dove Lake due to road work and we would have to walk there along the boardwalk (aprox 2 hour walk). And then wait for a bus pick up at around 1 midday. The customer service lady was not particularly clear on the information nor apologetic, just did not seem to care. Apparently the information was posted on their web a week in advance however we had been travelling and had not anticipated this road closure. So we walked and walked. One of our group had only been out of hospital only for one day as he had surgery to repair a collarbone injury. His knee was also strapped. But he walked. No choice, it was that or sit and wait hours for the rest of the group to return. So in the end those who wanted to go to Marion’s Lookout did the extra walk and those of us who wanted to see Dove Lake waited there. Then we all had to wait in the rain and cold for the bus. The shelter hut was packed full of walkers waiting for the bus. So much for 1.5m spacing in that hut, what a joke. The buses arrived on time and walkers streamed into them. Funny thing though there was no work on the road at all…nothing to stop the buses from running. No reason why they could not have dropped our group at Ronnie Creek at least. The only construction was on a new building they are putting up at Dove Lake. So much bureaucratic nonsense in stopping the running of the buses. Needless to say we cancelled our booking to stay at accommodation at Cradle Mountain a few days later as the buses still would not have been running to Dove Lake. Just as well that we cancelled as it snowed and then the parks board did not run any buses at all. Where is the creativity, put chains on the wheels and take snow viewing tours..
When the buses run to schedule, this is a spectacular walking place to visit, or for photography.
When the buses run to schedule, this is a spectacular walking place to visit, or for photography.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce F
Dapto, Australia240 contributions
Feb 2020
The new Visitor Centre is a modern structure, obviously only recently opened. Car parking is also being expanded and is a bit of a mess but that should soon improve. Like all new enterprises, the Centre seems very disorganised as signage improves and staff are trained. In fact, entry to the Park is a bit scrappy, with unclear signage regarding Park Passes and (free) shuttle tickets. People were asking for shuttle tickets without a park pass, and wanting to "buy" a shuttle ticket on board without going to the Admin. Centre. Some LARGE, clear signage is necessary back near the Park entrance, especially for visitors who did not do some pre-reading - we did and it was still confusing!!!
There is a new cafe at the Visitor Centre, with seating for only 25 or so people, which is ridiculously under-resourced for such a large tourist hotspot. This was definitely poorly planned.
The Park is lovely, the walks are great, but the tourist "experience" is a bit of a disaster. More work and some real examination of the purpose are required.
There is a new cafe at the Visitor Centre, with seating for only 25 or so people, which is ridiculously under-resourced for such a large tourist hotspot. This was definitely poorly planned.
The Park is lovely, the walks are great, but the tourist "experience" is a bit of a disaster. More work and some real examination of the purpose are required.
Written April 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivian C
1 contribution
Feb 2023
My first visit to Cradle Mountain, we got their early'ish ( 9.30am) plenty of parks available. We stopped at The Cradle Mountain Hotel for a buffet breakfast for $27.00, it's open from 7.00am,quite good value and no booking required. The visitor centre at Cradle Mountain was open and operating. The Visitor Centre cafe doesn't open till 10.00am.The staff were very friendly and helpful. We caught the shuttle bus to the Dove Lake walk starting point and began the walk clockwise as suggested, (from the left). It was the best direction as you constantly have the mountain in view, it was magical, as we had the most perfect weather. Concluding that walk back at the starting point, we decided to do the Crater Lake walk, which passes other small lakes on the way up, concluding at Ronny Creek , where you can pick up the shuttle bus also. The heat of the day was descending upon us and by the time we got to the point where the extension to Marion's Lookout was, we had runout of puff. Apparently you get 360 degree views, which are amazing. In retrospect, we should have done that walk first in the cool of the morning , as their is not as much shade as the Dove Lake walk, and the Dove Lake walk is generally flatter and less taxing. We would have been able to ascend Marion's Lookout also. If you do this you get off the shuttle bus at Ronny Creek to start he Crater Lake walk. Overall it was a spectacular day.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy W
Perth, Australia782 contributions
Jan 2021
This is a great starting pint . Helpful for some las minute purchases. The staff are helpful with walk advice for day trippers. Make sure you show you parks pass to get a shuttle bus ticket to Doce Lake
Written January 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DragonMother1506
Australian Capital Territory, Australia107 contributions
Feb 2022
We arrived late in the afternoon and the lady at the desk advised us to get straight to Dove Lake right away and then stop off at another stop to see wombats. She explained that the views were amazing but they were unsure what the weather would be like the next day.
Her advice was spot on. We had beautiful clear views of Cradle Mountain and we got close to wombats. The next day was rain and visibility of 10m! You couldn’t see the track you were walking on, let alone the mountain. She saved our holiday. Thank you!
Her advice was spot on. We had beautiful clear views of Cradle Mountain and we got close to wombats. The next day was rain and visibility of 10m! You couldn’t see the track you were walking on, let alone the mountain. She saved our holiday. Thank you!
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SMOAI76
Tasmania, Australia1,660 contributions
May 2022
Just had my first visit to Cradle Mountain Nat Park since the new visitor centre has been built. Had my concerns when I heard a new one was to be built as over development in this part of the world worries me ....... please may they NEVER build a cable car there !!!!!
BUT totally surprised, overwhelmed and thoroughly impressed with the new centre building and in fact the redevelopment of the whole site.
The parking area has been resurfaced and is better marked out with clear areas for buses and campervans etc. Safe pathways through the parking take you up to the main building through ruggedly landscaped grounds.
Info centre building is grey and angular and appropriate for the area once inside it is hugely spacious with many customer service desks and there is a rope barrier system to guide you along during busy times... a bit like when you check in at an airport.
Most information I would say comes from direct interaction with the staff but there is some signage and videos playing for further info. I did notice one video advising (with international subtitles) about how the weather can change rapidly in the area.
There is also a very good shop for souvenirs and clothing in the main info centre it's massive compared to what was in the old original centre.
I did speak to a fantastically helpful member of staff and purchased a parks pass and there were also good Covid 19 practices in place too.
There is also a cafe on site in it's own separate building, the bus stop for shuttles into the park is big, easy to find and undercover, there's a large separate toilet block and to top it all there are some excellent self service machines on the approach to the info centre where you can buy shuttle bus tickets and passes from so if you don't need to join the queues inside the clever inclusion of these machines is a great help.
Overall very impressed but I'll say it again, over development there still bothers me, please don't build a cable car at Cradle Mountain Nat Park !! OK !! Got it !!
BUT totally surprised, overwhelmed and thoroughly impressed with the new centre building and in fact the redevelopment of the whole site.
The parking area has been resurfaced and is better marked out with clear areas for buses and campervans etc. Safe pathways through the parking take you up to the main building through ruggedly landscaped grounds.
Info centre building is grey and angular and appropriate for the area once inside it is hugely spacious with many customer service desks and there is a rope barrier system to guide you along during busy times... a bit like when you check in at an airport.
Most information I would say comes from direct interaction with the staff but there is some signage and videos playing for further info. I did notice one video advising (with international subtitles) about how the weather can change rapidly in the area.
There is also a very good shop for souvenirs and clothing in the main info centre it's massive compared to what was in the old original centre.
I did speak to a fantastically helpful member of staff and purchased a parks pass and there were also good Covid 19 practices in place too.
There is also a cafe on site in it's own separate building, the bus stop for shuttles into the park is big, easy to find and undercover, there's a large separate toilet block and to top it all there are some excellent self service machines on the approach to the info centre where you can buy shuttle bus tickets and passes from so if you don't need to join the queues inside the clever inclusion of these machines is a great help.
Overall very impressed but I'll say it again, over development there still bothers me, please don't build a cable car at Cradle Mountain Nat Park !! OK !! Got it !!
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian W
Romsey, UK123 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Very helpful staff at desk. But building altho not finished as they're rebuilding needs lots of colour and warmth to liven it up- it's all rather grey- wood and stone. Newds big photos, plants/textiles to make it more informative and welcoming.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a shuttle bus that takes you directly to the peppers lodge?
Written January 19, 2021
The lodge is opposite the Rangers station so you could stop off there and walk across the street. This is when you catch the shuttles within cradle (starting visitor centre, going to dove lake, snake track, Rangers station and Ronny creek carpark).
Written January 20, 2021
The last bus was as told to us, about 5.00pm daily in Summer, not sure about winter timetable?
Written December 10, 2019
ps w
Hong Kong, China
Did anyone know will this operaate on Christmas day (Dec 25) and any shuttle bus for visitors?
Written November 2, 2018
I believe the park does operate all year round, and can or does cater to Christmas functions, just check for confirmation?
Written December 10, 2019
Where to stay in cradle mountain
Written October 22, 2016
We stayed at Cradle Mountain Highlanders. Highly recommend.
Written January 13, 2017
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