What's on in Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair), Australia through the year

Peak crowds — Tasmanian summer holidays, Summer holidays in Australia

• Rule

  Shuttle bus into the park

  1 Jan – 31 DecBook early

  You park at the visitor centre and ride the shuttle to Ronny Creek and Dove Lake; private cars are only allowed up the road outside shuttle hours, which in summer means before the first bus or not at all. Source ↗

• Hazard

  Alpine weather in any month

  1 Jan – 31 DecExtreme cold

  Snow falls on this plateau in every month of the year and the summit track can be a whiteout in January. The park's own advice is to carry the winter layers whatever the forecast says. Source ↗

Still on: Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May), Tasmanian summer holidays (18 Dec – 1 Feb (usually))

Busy — Tasmanian summer holidays

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May), Tasmanian summer holidays (18 Dec – 1 Feb (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Holiday

  Easter long weekend

  3–6 AprEaster & Holy WeekCrowdedBook early

  Good Friday to Easter Monday is a four-day national long weekend, usually next to or inside the autumn school holidays. Australians travel in large numbers, so flights, campsites and accommodation book out early and cost more, and most shops close on Good Friday. Source ↗

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May)

Peak crowds — Easter long weekend, Autumn / Easter break in Australia

• Nature

  The turning of the fagus

  15 Apr – 15 May · usuallyAutumn colour

  Australia's only native deciduous tree turns rust and gold around Crater Lake for about a fortnight from late April. Tasmanians drive up for it and the shuttle queues show it.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Easter long weekend (3–6 Apr), Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec), The turning of the fagus (15 Apr – 15 May (usually)), Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May)

Busy — Winter (July) break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — Winter (July) break in Australia, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — Spring break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — Spring break in Australia, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Overland Track booked season

  1 Oct – 31 MayTrail seasonBook early

  From October to the end of May the track runs one way, southbound, capped at a set number of departures a day and booked months out. Outside it the walk is free, unbooked and a winter crossing. Source ↗

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May)

Peak crowds — Tasmanian summer holidays, Summer holidays in Australia

• Holiday

  Tasmanian summer holidays

  18 Dec – 1 Feb · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

  Mainland families arrive on the ferry with the caravans from mid-December, and the handful of lodges at the park boundary are the first thing in Tasmania to sell out. Source ↗

Still on: Shuttle bus into the park (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Alpine weather in any month (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Overland Track booked season (1 Oct – 31 May)