Hotel Review: Cradle Mountain Lodge

An easy two hour drive from Launceston through the scenic Tasmanian countryside you’ll find Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. Perched on the edge of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park, it’s safe to expect an iconic wilderness experience here, and it doesn’t disappoint.

The moment you arrive at the lodge you are greeted by a warm local hospitality.  It is a place to escape the daily grind, relax and let yourself go in the serenity of the breathtaking surrounding scenery.  The perfect haven to rejuvenate the soul, invigorate the heart and indulge all senses.

Four different accommodation styles are nestled privately amongst the wilderness, with the main lodge, spa, restaurants and shop welcoming you at the front entrance.   The very private cabins include the Pencil Pine Cabins, Spa Cabins, Spa Suites and the King Billy Suite.  The cabins each offer outlooks over the natural surroundings and give guests the chance to engage with wildlife such as wallabies and wombats that pause between mouthfuls of buttongrass and possums that watch with mischievous interest as they kris-cross the timber boardwalks.

Cabins are tastefully appointed with contemporary décor and furnishings, and include a log fire for those chilly winter nights.  They have a small kitchenette with tea and coffee, small fridge and sink.  It is the added touches however that makes your cabin escape just that bit extra.  A CD player plays a Cradle Mountain Lodge compilation of soothing yet funky sounds while an oil burner releases scents that dance around the room and add to the atmosphere.

Your stay is inclusive of full lodge breakfast.  Dinner can be indulged in the Highland Restaurant which features the very best of Tasmanian foods and wines.  From here you can also order picnic hamper services to enjoy a lunch in the outdoors.

Alternatively the Tavern Bar & Bistro provides a rustic, warm and casual dining option with bistro style meals served for lunch and dinner.  The bar is stocked with a variety of beverages including local wines and is the perfect place to relax after a day exploring Cradle Mountain.

The best thing about the lodge is you can do as much or as little as you like.  If you prefer to be more active then there are over 20 different self-guided walking tracks around Cradle Mountain & Dove Lake, ranging from 20 minutes to nine hours.  A scenic walk is truly the best way to appreciate the World Heritage Listed environment and discover some of the friendly local wildlife.

However you do not need to be a serious hiker or even venture into the National Park to experience the best of the wilderness.  There are a number of fantastic walks that leave directly from the lodge grounds and are suitable for a range of fitness levels and weather conditions.

For the more adventurous guests there are activities like mountain biking, Dove Lake canoeing, horse riding, scenic helicopter flights, Tobogganing (in winter – snow dependant),  quad biking and the summer only activity of Cradle canyoning.  In addition to these are the more relaxing activities such as fly fishing, wine and cheese tasting, native animal night viewing and of course indulging in some treatments at the lodge’s Waldheim Alpine Spa.

While Cradle Mountain Lodge caters for guests in every way possible, they cannot control the weather.  Being an alpine region, the weather is changeable and unpredictable, so guests are advised to be well prepared to enjoy the many moods of the mountain.   The area has an average maximum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius in Summer and 6 degrees Celsius  in Winter. It is important to note that temperatures can go into the minus degrees Celsius during winter – especially overnight.  Guests are advised to pack warm clothing, walking shoes and socks, camera and binoculars, waterproof coats and clothing. A swimming costume can be packed for use at spa facilities.

Guests are also reminded you are in a wilderness area so mobile phone and internet access is limited and often not available.  Cabins do not have TV either, which most guests enjoy the escape from technology and get to completely switch off and escape in the surroundings.

Kate Recommends:

–        Check the weather at the time you visit and make sure you pack appropriately

–        Take the time to unwind, your phone won’t work anyway, and just relax

–        Pack your walking shoes and get off your bum and out on the walking tracks

–        Wander around the lodge grounds and you will sight some amazing wildlife

–        Splurge and book a spa suite, your aching muscles will thank you after your day hiking