Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Nature reserve in Tasmania, Australia
This national park in Tasmania protects mountains, rainforests, and glacial lakes in a large wilderness area. The landscape reveals different zones, from high alpine ridges down to dense forest valleys, each supporting distinct plant and animal communities.
A naturalist of Austrian origin campaigned in the early 1900s to protect this region from development. The government responded by creating the protected area in 1922.
Indigenous peoples lived across this region for millennia, leaving evidence of their connection to the land. Today, walking through these landscapes means following in the footsteps of those ancient inhabitants.
Visitors should prepare for changing weather and demanding walking routes, particularly at higher elevations. Proper gear and plenty of time are needed to explore the different landscapes safely.
The Overland Track, Australia's best-known long-distance walk, runs 85 km from Cradle Valley in the north to Lake St Clair in the south, passing Mount Ossa (1,617 m), Tasmania's highest peak. Since 2005 walkers must book and pay a fee for the peak season; the money funds rangers, track upkeep and helicopter removal of hut toilet waste.
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