Cradle Mountain Day Tour: Dove Lake Walks from Hobart

Walk Dove Lake and thousand-year-old forests, then finish in Launceston

This one-way day tour departs Hobart, spends 3.5 hours exploring Cradle Mountain National Park on foot—including the Dove Lake circuit and Enchanted Forest walks among 4,000-year-old King Billy Pines—then continues to Launceston. A local guide, park entry and air-conditioned transport are included; the tour runs 11 hours total with a break in Campbell Town and a stop in Sheffield to see the town's murals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hobart to Launceston via Cradle Mountain

• Depart from Hobart early morning
• Stop at Campbell Town for break
• Arrive at Cradle Mountain Information Centre
• Explore Dove Lake and national park
• Walk Enchanted Forest and King Billy Pine trails
• Visit Sheffield and see murals
• Conclude tour in Launceston

The Experience

The tour leaves Hobart early and reaches Campbell Town after 1.5 hours, where you can stretch, grab coffee and a snack before the drive continues north. Once at Cradle Mountain, you have 3.5 hours to move at your own pace through the national park—long enough to tackle the full Dove Lake circuit if you want it, or pick from shorter walks depending on your legs and the light. The lake sits ringed by the mountain itself, and the walk is the reason most people come here.

After Dove Lake, the guide leads you into the Enchanted Forest and King Billy Pine walks, where the trees are 4,000 years old and the canopy is thick enough that the air stays cool and still. This is where Tasmanian Devils, wombats, Spotted Quolls and wallabies move through the undergrowth—you won't see them every time, but the guide knows where to look and when to stop. The walks are steep in places and require a moderate level of fitness, but they are the heart of what makes Cradle Mountain different from other parks.

Once you leave the mountain, the tour stops in Sheffield, a small town known for its murals painted across buildings and fences—each one tells something about the region's history or landscape. You can wander the streets and look at the galleries if you want, or just rest before the final drive to Launceston, where the tour ends. The whole day is 11 hours, and the guide provides live commentary throughout the drive.

What’s included

• Local guide and live commentary throughout the day.
• national park entry fees.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
• a break in Campbell Town with time for coffee and snacks.
• 3.5 hours to explore Dove Lake, the Enchanted Forest and King Billy Pine walks at your own pace.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tassie Tours Tasmania

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling between Hobart and Launceston and want to spend a full morning and afternoon on Cradle Mountain's walks instead of rushing through. The one-way format means you don't backtrack, and the 3.5 hours at the park gives you real time to walk, not just a photo stop.

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Top questions

How much time do I actually get to walk at Cradle Mountain?

You have 3.5 hours to explore the national park on foot. That's enough time for the full Dove Lake circuit, or you can choose shorter walks and spend time at the lake itself or on the Enchanted Forest and King Billy Pine trails.

What wildlife might I see on the forest walks?

Tasmanian Devils, wombats, Spotted Quolls and wallabies live in the area around the Enchanted Forest and King Billy Pine walks. The guide knows where they are most likely to appear, though sightings are never guaranteed.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a local guide, national park entry fees, air-conditioned transport from Hobart to Launceston, and live commentary during the drive. You can buy food and drinks at stops along the way.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The walks require at least a moderate level of fitness. The terrain is steep in places, and you'll be on your feet for most of the 3.5 hours at Cradle Mountain. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.

Why does the tour end in Launceston instead of Hobart?

This is a one-way tour designed to move you north through Tasmania in a single day. You start in Hobart, spend the morning and early afternoon at Cradle Mountain, and finish in Launceston. If you need to return to Hobart, you can book a separate return tour or arrange your own transport from Launceston.