Crater Lake Circuit

Starting from the car park at the end of Dove Lake Road, Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Park, this walk takes you past Lake Lilla, Crater Lake and Wombat Pool. Enjoy a scenic walk that winds past several alpine lakes, following boardwalks through buttongrass moorlands and cool temperate rainforest. You'll pass mossy waterfalls and rock pools at Crater Falls before reaching Crater Lake, which has steep glacially carved walls and dark reflective water. The smaller lakes, Lake Lilla and Wombat Pool, are also beautiful. Due to its relatively lower altitude, this walk is usually a safer option when it's very windy and rainy at higher altitudes. Be prepared for strong winds, heavy rain, snow and very cold temperatures. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	(-41.6504879,145.9613554)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Murchison Highway, A10, Waratah-Wynyard. Turn on to Belvoir Road, C132 then drive for 26.1 km Turn right onto Cradle Mountain Road, C132 and drive for another 12.5 km

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the Dove Lake car park at the end of Dove Lake Road, Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Park, head along the sealed path towards Dove Lake, passing a blue 'Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Site' sign (to your left). Continue ahead along the sealed path for about 80m until you reach a set of directional signposts, then turn right and head along the gravel trail, following the 'Crater Lake Circuit' directional arrow. Follow the trail ahead for about 280m until you reach another set of directional signposts, then turn right onto the trail heading towards Lake Lilla and continue the Cradle Lake Circuit.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start.
	After another 85 m turn right, to head along Dove Lake Circuit. After another 35 m come to the viewpoint (on your right).
	After another 250 m (at the intersection of Cradle Valley Board Walk & Dove Lake Circuit) veer right, to head along Cradle Valley Board Walk.
	After another 440 m (at the intersection of Lake Lilla Track & Cradle Valley Board Walk) continue straight, to head along Lake Lilla Track.
	After another 1.2 km cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
	Crater Lake After another 270 m (at the intersection of Overland Track & Lake Lilla Track) by following the "Crater Lake" sign turn left, to head along Overland Track. Then head up the steps (about 15 m long) After another 590 m head up the steps (about 10 m long)
	Overland Track After another 6 m (at the intersection of Overland Track & Horse Track) by following the "Overland Track" sign continue straight, to head along Overland Track. After another 6 m head up the steps (about 25 m long)
	After another 410 m pass the "Crater Falls" (9 m on your right). After another 20 m pass a seat (on your right).
	After another 460 m pass the "Crater Lake Hut" (on your right). After another 470 m come to the viewpoint (about 15 m ahead).
	At the intersection of Wombat Pool Track & Overland Track turn sharp left, to head along Wombat Pool Track. After another 700 m come to the viewpoint (about 20 m ahead).
	Turn left, to head along Wombat Pool Track. After another 320 m pass a seat (on your right). Then come to the "Wombat Pool Lookout" (on your right).
	After another 520 m (at the intersection of Cradle Valley Board Walk & Lake Lilla Track) continue straight, to head along Cradle Valley Board Walk.
	After another 440 m (at the intersection of Dove Lake Circuit & Cradle Valley Board Walk) veer left, to head along Dove Lake Circuit.
	After another 285 m turn left.
	After another 85 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Crater Lake Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	6.6 km
Time	2 h to 3 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather	Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)

Some facilities on route

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.2 km apart with the largest gap of 3.3 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Seat	3.3 km	[seat]
Seat	5.2 km	[seat]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track
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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Cradle Valley Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 21 November
  
  Cloudy.
  
  Partly cloudy. Winds northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
  
  Friday 22 November
  
  7°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 25.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 8:50am to 5:00pm, UV Index predicted to reach 10 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 23 November
  
  10°C → 20°C
  Showers increasing.
  80% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning westerly during the afternoon and evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 26.
  
  Sunday 24 November
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23.
  
  Monday 25 November
  
  8°C → 20°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then tending north to northwesterly during the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Tuesday 26 November
  
  6°C → 14°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 27 November
  
  3°C → 13°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Thursday 28 November
  
  4°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Tasmania Parks & Wildlife service
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Tas closure website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.

Weather Forecast

Alerts