Guide to Dove Lake

Travellers roll up for three big reasons: the views, the vibes and the bragging rights. First, those widescreen vistas—Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain reflections so glassy they look Photoshopped. Second, the vibe: an amphitheatre of ancient King Billy Pines, glacier-scrubbed boulders and button-grass plains alive with the resident pademelons. Third, the brag: this region is home to the famous Overland Track, and so for a select few, this can be a symbol of a mighty 10-day hiking achievement. For others, ticking the 6 km Dove Lake walk off your list of legendary Tasmania nature trails can be just as rewarding. Photographers chase moody mists, bird-nerds scan for black currawongs, and hikers love the “choose-your-own-adventure” ladder of trails—everything from the cruisy Dove Lake circuit to thigh-burning side trips up Marions Lookout. It’s a veritable natural theme park (minus the queue lines). 

How long should I spend at Dove Lake?

Bank on two to three hours if you’re here solely for the circuit—long enough to saunter, snack and snap every turn without hoofing it. The Dove Lake walk is a moderate circuit grade, offering a scenic 6 km trail with diverse vegetation and stunning views, so you will want plenty of time to soak it in. Add an extra hour if you like lingering at Glacier Rock for panoramas, or fancy detouring onto Lake Lilla or the Ballroom Forest boardwalk for bonus things to do at Dove Lake. Keen on loftier hiking in Tasmania? Half-day and full-day climbs (Marions Lookout or Cradle Summit) spin out to five–eight hours, so factor daylight, legs and trail snacks accordingly. 

How long is the walk to Dove Lake?

Good news for road-trippers: you don’t have to “walk in” at all—you can steer your car straight to the official Dove Lake carpark (or visitor-centre shuttle; more on that below). The lake-edge loop itself is a 6 km, grade 2 track, mostly made of compacted gravel and wooden boardwalk, taking 2–3 hours at a selfie pace. 

How to get to Dove Lake

• From Cradle Mountain Village: swing south on Cradle Mountain Road; you’ll cover the 8 km in ten-ish minutes. Between 8 am and 6 pm, the road into the national park often closes to private traffic, so you will need to park at the visitor centre, flash your park pass and jump on the shuttle, which takes around 20–25 minutes plus any waiting times. 

• From Launceston: point the bonnet west along the Bass Highway, then take C132; allow 2 hours 30 minutes. The last leg is narrow and twisty, so crank the playlist and take it slow. 

• From Devonport: Spirit of Tasmania arrivals rejoice: it’s only 1 hr 30 min (85 km) inland via C132. 

• From Hobart: road-trippers looking to tackle this as part of their Tassie adventure can choose the 300 km haul in 4 ½ to 5 hrs via the Lyell Highway—ideal for a multi-day loop of the west coast wilderness.