Top things to do on the Cradle Coast

Things to do on the Cradle Coast in north-west Tasmania range from Cradle Mountain's walking tracks and The Nut at Stanley to Gordon River cruises from Strahan. Experience Oz groups Cradle Coast tours and Cradle Coast cruises here, and many of the day tours leave from Launceston or Hobart, so they suit a base in either city as well as a stay on the coast.

Cradle Coast tours: Cradle Mountain and day trips from Launceston and Hobart

Cradle Mountain, part of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, is known for Dove Lake, its walking tracks and the Enchanted Walk. The full-day Cradle Mountain National Park guided tour leaves Launceston at 7.30am Monday to Friday, stops in Sheffield, the Town of Murals, and gives four to five hours in the park for the 20-minute Enchanted Walk, the 6 km Dove Lake Circuit, Marion's Lookout at 1200 m and wombat spotting. It returns to Launceston at about 6pm and does not run on weekends or public holidays.

Day tours from Hobart head south. Tours Tasmania runs full-day trips to Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula, and to the Huon Valley for the Tahune Airwalk and Hastings Caves tour, which adds a swim in the thermal springs pool. From Launceston, a separate full-day tour goes east to Wineglass Bay and Freycinet National Park. Departure cities and days differ by tour, so check both before booking.

Gordon River cruises from Strahan

Strahan sits on Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast, a 3-hour drive (226 km) from Devonport. Cruises from the Strahan Esplanade pass through Hells Gates, stop for a walk at Heritage Landing and visit Sarah Island, with lunch on a morning sailing or dinner on an evening one. A morning cruise with a chef-prepared buffet lunch is a popular choice, and the cruises page lists the rest.

Walking, kayaking and Freycinet days

Freycinet National Park on Tasmania's east coast features in the listings too. The full-day Wineglass Bay tour from Launceston adds the Cape Tourville Lighthouse walk, the 1.3 km uphill walk to Wineglass Bay Lookout and a stop at Devil's Corner Winery. On the water, the 3-hour guided sea kayak at Coles Bay leaves from Muirs Beach in stable double kayaks, with morning or afternoon tea provided.

How the Cradle Coast fits together

Devonport is the gateway to Tasmania and the home port of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, with Mersey Bluff Lighthouse nearby. Burnie is a port city with a creative streak, Penguin is known for its beaches and the Big Penguin sculpture, and Stanley sits under The Nut, a volcanic plug with panoramic views over the coast. Port Sorell is a quiet seaside village with calm water.

Inland, the Overland Track runs for 65 km through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area from Cradle Mountain. Most of the day tours listed here depart from Launceston or Hobart rather than a coastal town, so if you are staying around Devonport, Burnie or Stanley, check the departure point before you book.