Cradle Mountain

by Martin and Jonathon

Tasmania, one of the states of Australia, is one of the world's most mountainous islands and its highest peaks are found within Cradle Mountain.
In 1831 Henry Hellyes became the first European to climb Cradle Mountain, it was not until 1835 when it was given its name by General George Frankland. Cradle Mountain got its name because it looked like a cradle. Early on there was a lot of mining but very little gold was found.
In 1910 the idea of Cradle Mountain and its region becoming a National Park was first suggested by Gustav Weindorfer. In 1981 it became a World Heritage Area.

There are many lakes that have been formed in this area and it is believed Lake St. Clair was formed during the last ice age.
There are many rock formations made from dolerite rock, an igneous rock about 165 million years old.
Altitudes in this area vary from 400m to 1600m and the vegetation is quite unique, ranging from the tall eucalypt and beech forests of the valleys to the open button grass moors and alpine herb fields on the mountain hops.
The climate in this area is wet with spring having a great show of wildflowers and summer having stable weather.

There are a number of day walks especially in Cradle Valley and Cynthia Bay. One of the very special walks is the overland track, approximately 73kms long and people from all over the world come to Cradle Mountain to take the walk.
Bushwalkers are expected to carry all their equipment in and out of the bush to help protect the bush and try to prevent bushfires.

The Platypus

There is a great variety of wildlife including Wallabies, Rat kangaroos. The Eastern Quoll and Spotted- tailed Quoll and of course the Tasmanian Devil. There are many other smaller marsupials and bird life. There are also snakes insects, predators and especially leeches.

The Tasmanian Devil


Number 10 is Cradle Mountain	Map of Tasmania	Cradle Mountain is near Devonport, which is where the car ferry from Victoria arrives