Dove Lake Circuit

GPS Tracks

Dove Lake Circuit (KML)

This 6km track is one of Tasmania’s premier walks. It will take you right around Dove Lake and beneath the towering spires of Cradle Mountain. The track is boardwalked for much of the way. Highlights: Glacier Rock, Ballroom Forest and the Boatshed.

Lookouts

Swimming

Picnic Facilities

Toilets

No Dogs Permitted

Rainforest

Eucalypt Forest

988m

Maximum Elevation

240m

Total Climb

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Getting there

Accessible by car but parking is limited. Follow the road signs to Cradle Mountain. You can catch a bus into the park from the Information Centre. Buses depart every 15 minutes, 7 days a week and are free with your park entry fee.

Maps

A topographic map of the area is available from the visitor centre but isn't necessary. The visitor centre also has a tourist brochure which outlines the walks.

Route/Trail notes

Start from the carpark. Head downwards towards the lake. The walk is well signed. Follow the signs around the lake starting from the left (going around the lake clockwise). Your first stop is Glacier Rock which is a very short side track to your right.

After soaking in the views from Glacier Rock continue along the circuit, ignoring the turnoff to Hansons Peak. Make sure to visit the beaches but make sure to use the official tracks to reach them.

At the far side of the lake you'll find a viewing platform over the lake and get a look at the Honeymoon Islands. Shortly after you'll hear the water tumbling down from Lake Wilks and encounter the intersection with the Lake Wilks Track.

Next stop is Ballroom Forest, a delightful stand of rainforest with a couple of creeks running through it. Be sure to pause and soak it in.

Finally you'll pass the Marions Lookout Link track, a steep track that climbs directly to Marions Lookout, before reaching the iconic Boat Shed. Be prepared to once again meet the crowds you left behind at Glacier Rock as many people only venture as far as those two sights. The track finishes shortly after at the car park where you started.

Permits/Costs

Access to the park requires a Tasmanian Park Pass (https://passes.parks.tas.gov.au) which you can buy from the visitor centre.

Other References

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife: https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/cradle-mountain/dove-lake

Trip Reports

Karn's Journal: Dove Lake Circuit walk notes

GPS Tracks

Dove Lake Circuit (KML)

Comments

Bit of a drizzly overcast day with limited visibility, but still made for a nice walk. There was snow on many of the paths which was pretty to see. There was also a lot of water flowing over some sections of paths. Luckily our shoes were waterproof.
Suz on 24 Aug, 2022

Super easy walk
Sofia on 7 Jul, 2022

Great! only saw two other people once past Glacier Rock.
Pi on 15 Oct, 2021

We did this walk on our first day at Cradle Mountain along with a couple of the shorter walks, and saved the longer walks for the next day.
Robyn on 12 Jun, 2021

Amazing walk in summer would love to do In winter also
Heid Kelly on 21 Feb, 2021

Beautiful, easy track. Many spots to have a break, so bring a hot cuppa in a thermos + a snack.
Cfizzle on 2021

This walk is so beautiful! Taking you through various types of shrubbery, it’s the perfect hike for all ages, and with plenty of hikes joining onto it if you are looking for something a little more challenging
Elle on 19 Oct, 2020

Easy to medium in some parts. Worth the walk. Loved every minute of it.
Matt P on 12 Feb, 2020

I really enjoyed this walk and regret that lack of time prevented me from doing other walks in the area.
Kevin S on 7 Feb, 2020

Its a lovely walk although when we went in December it was a warm day. Some very memorable pics. 2 hours total return.
arv on Dec, 2019

Lovely walk which we used as an intro to the park. Felt like we stopped every 5m to get yet another photo from a slightly different angle.
Richard Mason on 25 Oct, 2019

We did this walk on a cold windy rainy day. Fabulous.
Rae W on 31 Mar, 2019

one of the best in Tassie
sonik on Apr, 2018

The interchangeable weather!! Great walk that is fairly easy, mostly boardwalks and well defined rock paths. The view of Cradle Mountain and the lake were amazing. We had lots of rain and there were waterfalls that even the staff hadn't seen before. SNOW on the top of the mountain as well. Worth the effort to get to the area. Would loved to have done further walks but weather was not kind to us Queenslanders.
Kristy-Lee on 26 Mar, 2018

Cradle mountain hike. We took the bus out to the lake for a small fee. Lovely day for a hike around Dove Lake. Beautiful scenery great track.
HelenR on 9 Feb, 2018

It's summer and it's still really cold. Overnight temperatures went down to 3 degrees. It rained lightly through the walk but didn't spoil it. Lots of people were walking. It's a beautiful walk with lots of varied vegetation.
Ian and Sue on 3 Jan, 2018

Raining but awesome
Ross on 20 Dec, 2017

great walk
Mackamcb on 15 Dec, 2017

Being Tasmanian I have done this walk many times and in all seasons. It is beautiful summer or snowed covered in winter. There are alwYs other people on the walk but never too many to be bothered by them.
Maria Z on 9 Nov, 2017

One of my all time favourite little treks. Lucky enough to see plenty of snow around from a fall six days prior (late and uncharacteristic for this time of year...). Great track which is well maintained. It is an easy walk for those with moderate fitness and the views are just amazing! Too challenging a walk for my aged Parents just as an FYI.
Cassablanca on 21 Sep, 2017