Cradle Mountain anchors the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania's Central Highlands, and gives the park its name thanks to its jagged, saddle-shaped peak reflected in Dove Lake below.
The short Dove Lake Circuit suits a half-day visit, while the Overland Track, a six-day walk starting at Weindorfer's Chalet and finishing at Lake St Clair, is one of Australia's best-known multi-day hikes. It's a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Launceston, making it a realistic add-on to a Tasmania itinerary rather than a remote detour.