Cradle Mountain, located within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, is one of Australia's most distinctive landscapes. Towering over Dove Lake, the craggy peak rises to 1,545 meters and is often dusted with snow, even in spring. The mountain and surrounding area are part of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, which was established in 1922 and has since become a cornerstone of Tasmania’s protected wildlands. Early conservationist Gustav Weindorfer played a key role in securing its status, famously declaring the area "for all people, for all time."

Hiking is a major draw, with trails ranging from gentle boardwalks through alpine heath to challenging climbs. The Dove Lake Circuit, a 6-kilometre loop at the mountain’s base, provides panoramic views of the peak and crosses through rainforest and buttongrass moorlands. More experienced walkers may tackle the summit itself or begin the famed Overland Track, a 65-kilometre, six-day trek that ends at Lake St Clair. Wildlife sightings are common along these trails, including wombats grazing in open grasslands and echidnas ambling across the path.

The area is also rich in unique plant life. Cradle Mountain hosts some of the oldest surviving species of plants on the planet, including the King Billy pine, which can live for over 1,000 years. The park’s alpine environment is home to species found nowhere else in the world, such as the Pencil Pine and ancient cushion plants. During autumn, the native deciduous beech, or "fagus," turns the hillsides gold, one of the few trees in Australia to do so, and a spectacle that draws visitors each April.