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Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Valley, Tasmania
Photo: Steven Penton from Bakers Beach, Tasmania Australia · CC BY 2.0

Drives Tasmania, Australia Launceston, the North and the West Coast

Cradle Mountain Road

Cradle Mountain Road, C132, Claude Road · Sheffield → Cradle Valley

Sweeping32 mi1 hr4,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,700 ftOne way
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The drive

Claude Road (C136) and Cradle Mountain Road (C132) take you from Sheffield, on the northern side, up into the highlands to Cradle Valley. It is 51.5 km (32 mi) and takes about an hour, climbing to around 2,700 feet. The curves are mostly gentle, with one twistier stretch in the middle.

The drive ends about 1.5 km short of the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, so no park pass is needed to drive it. The pass, shuttle and vehicle rules begin at the visitor centre, past the end of this drive.

Beyond the visitor centre, Dove Lake Road is restricted. Private vehicles are kept off it during shuttle hours, and outside those hours Dove Lake has only a handful of parking spaces.

Along the way

  1. Sheffield (Claude Road)
  2. Cradle Valley (Cradle Mountain Road)
Elevation
4,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,700 ft
SheffieldCradle Valley
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
SheffieldCradle Valley
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Campervans, motorhomes, caravans, trailers and similar vehicles are never permitted on Dove Lake Road. Caravans and trailers can be unhitched and parked at the visitor centre car park.
  • A valid parks pass is required to enter Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, and it is validated at the visitor centre.
  • Private vehicles are not allowed into the park during shuttle hours, and adults pay a fee for the shuttle unless they hold an Icon or Overland Track pass.
  • Wildlife is on the road at dusk and at night.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Parks Tasmania: Cradle Mountain shuttle bus information.

Questions about this drive

How long does Cradle Mountain Road from Sheffield take?

The drive from Sheffield to Cradle Valley on Claude Road and Cradle Mountain Road is 32 miles (51.5 km) and takes about 1 hr.

Can I take a caravan or campervan to Cradle Mountain?

Campervans, motorhomes, caravans and trailers are not permitted on Dove Lake Road at any time. They can park at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and use the shuttle.

Do I need a park pass to drive Cradle Mountain Road?

This drive ends about 1.5 km before the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, so the pass is not needed to drive it. A valid parks pass is required to enter the national park.

Can I drive to Dove Lake?

Private vehicles are not allowed on Dove Lake Road during shuttle hours. Outside those hours, nine private parking spaces are available at Dove Lake.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

All 15 drives in Tasmania, Australia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Cradle Mountain Road, from Sheffield to Cradle Valley