Travel Blogger Mister Weekender visited Tasmania and ticked 'Hiking Cradle Mountain' off his bucket list. Here are her 7 reasons why you should hike Cradle Mountain too!

By the way, Mister Weekender isn’t actually a Mister – it’s the travel musings of photojournalist Jaharn Quinn. 

Inspirational writing, shared ideas and helpful tips have made her a favourite with thousands. At the end of this article, there’s a link to Jaharn’s Insta page.

By the way, the news at Cradle Mountains on the edge of the World Heritage-listed Tasmanian Wilderness Area just keeps getting better for hikers and visitors of all descriptions. Discovery has new accommodation (see below), there’s a new viewing shelter and Visitor Information Centre.

But now let’s listen to Mister Weekender’s views on Hiking Cradle Mountain.

It’s no secret I love hiking. I’m one of those nature lovers who’d rather be climbing mountains than sitting at a café in Bondi eating quinoa pancakes. Don’t get me wrong, I really love good food but there is more than sitting in a café weekend after weekend. I was recently in Tasmania exploring Strahan and Cradle Mountain. Hiking Cradle Mountain has been on my bucket list for a long time and I was thrilled that I finally got the chance to hike the summit.

But before I continue, there is something you need to know. Hiking Cradle Mountain National Park is not a walk through a park. It’s tough, demanding and the weather changes with the blink of an eye. In the seven hour hike, I experienced snow, ice, sleet, wind, rain, mist and a mere splash of sun. It was the toughest hike I’ve ever done – or perhaps ask me when I come back from South America next month!

I went in July, smack bang in the middle of winter but regardless of the time of the year, my biggest tips are to wear the proper gear (Nike sneakers are not enough), pack enough water and appropriate food, and start the day early as daylight closes in quickly come 5pm in the late afternoon.

If this sounds a little daunting, below are my top seven reasons why you should put hiking Cradle Mountain National Park on your bucket list.

#1 Tasmania is Australia’s best kept secret

I really think that travellers rush to explore the east and west coasts of Australia so quickly that sometimes they forget Tasmania! Part of me is quite happy about this because I want it to stay that way, but that’s really selfish! If you’ve been reading Mister Weekender this year, then you’ll know how much I love Tasmania, including Wineglass Bay, Strahan, Honeymoon Bay, Freycinet Marine Park and Roky Hills Retreat. I’ve been twice this year and I am going back in January. So excited!

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

#2 Adventure is good for the soul

No matter when or where you go, or the difficulty of the trek, there is something wildly beautiful about hiking and being in the wilderness. Climbing a summit, scaling a ridge, seeing animals in the wild and trekking over new landscapes gives an unspeakable adrenalin rush – even more so when solo hiking.

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

#3 Hiking is great for fitness

Pilates with friends and running along the beach is a lot of fun, but sometimes you need to mix it up a little! So go hiking. It’s the perfect way to lift your fitness whilst exploring nature.

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

#4 It’s affordable

Have I mentioned hiking is cheaper than a pilates class? Well it is! Depending on where you go, most hiking trails are free and some national parks require an admission fee (usually up to $24 in Australia). But it’s well worth it!

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

#5 It’s perfect for stress relief

After a hectic and stressful week, the first thing I want to do is switch off from technology, get amongst nature and go hiking. Adventure can have some seriously positive effects on stress levels and when combined with the other great aspects of hiking, including overall fitness, I start feeling immediately better. You will too, promise! (Editor’s update: “The more challenging the hike, the more calories — and stress — you'll melt away,” according to recent Stanford University research on hiking.

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

#6 Oh thy beautiful nature

The main reason why I go hiking is nature. No matter the hike, no matter the location – nothing beats fresh air, wide open spaces and nature. It might be a cloudless sunset, the view on top of a mountain or swimming in a creek – nature RULES. (Editor’s news: The University of Victoria has found that exercising outside, rather than inside, leads to greater improvements in thinking but also health, happiness, fitness and motivation.)

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

#7 You’ll never travel the same again

Once you start hiking, your holidays will start looking a little different. You’ll start looking for adventure and more hiking trails, rather than paving the pavement looking for coffee. Puhhh-lease, there is so much more beauty in the world than that! My friends and I are planning a big trip overseas next year and my only requirement is going hiking to several beautiful national parks. As long as I have that, I know I’ll be a happy traveller.

^{Image Credit: Tourism Tas}

Time to pack your bags? Check out our Journey of Discovery special offer plus tips on things to see and do in Tasmania. 

This article first appeared on misterweekender.com.au, it has been republished here with full permission.

UPDATE

And since the article was written there have been a few changes you need to consider when Hiking Cradle Mountain. 

First off, the free bus from the info centre fo Dove Lake now costs $15 and you can buy an annual ticket for $45 (check the prices haven’t been increased before you slip your hiking boots into your car).

On a brighter note, The Sydney Morning Herald says the $20 million spent on Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain described the luxe accommodation as “Providing an alternative to Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge for those wanting their luxury with rusticity on the side”.

The upgrade suits all budgets, with 19 new deluxe cabins, 40 new tourist sites and a renovated camp kitchen.