Cradle Mountain, The Little Known Gem of Tasmania

We arrived at Cradle Mountain National Park late Tuesday and had little time to appreciate what a special place it is. The rugged terrain around the park was a surprise after a day crossing the rolling farmland. The park reminded me of Mt Rainier National Park in Washington.

The lodge, though newer, has the same rustic qualites found in the Mt Rainier's Paridise Lodge. The ground and trails around the park offer variety for all skill and energy levels and, like Mt Rainier, the view changes at every turn. Cradle Mountain lacks the scale of Mt Rainier but is impressive from many viewpoints.

We even discovered some normally nocturnal wallabies who were still out on a frosty morning.

We had no idea Tasmania offered this kind of terrain and were sad to leave it after only one night.