Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park Tasmania
IUCN category II (national park)
Cradle Mountain and Little Horn (to the left) by Dove Lake
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Nearest town or city	Queenstown
Coordinates	41°49′49″S 145°55′27″E / 41.83028°S 145.92417°E / -41.83028; 145.92417Coordinates: 41°49′49″S 145°55′27″E / 41.83028°S 145.92417°E / -41.83028; 145.92417
Established	1922
Area	1,614.43 km2 (623.3 sq mi)
Visitation	209,000 (in 2005)
Managing authorities	Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
See also	Protected areas of Tasmania

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania (Australia), 165 km northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begin. Major features are Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff in the northern end, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh and Mount Ossa in the middle and Lake St Clair in the southern end of the park. The park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Access from the south (Lake St. Clair) is usually from Derwent Bridge on the Lyell Highway. Northern access (Cradle Valley) is usually via Sheffield, Wilmot or Mole Creek. A less frequently used entrance is via the Arm River Track, from the east.

In 2005, the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service introduced a booking system and fee for use of the Overland Track over peak periods. Initially the fee was $100, but this was raised to $150 in 2007, and as at August 2011 is $180. The money that is collected is used to finance the park ranger organisation, track maintenance, building of new facilities and rental of helicopter transport to remove waste from the toilets at the huts in the park.

The Tasmanian Government has moved to allow development in national parks and conservations areas. An 'In principle' permit has been granted for the establishment of an 'eco-friendly' resort at Pumphouse Point at Lake St Clair.

The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is a significant location of Tasmania's endemic species — 40–55% of the park's documented alpine flora is endemic. Furthermore, 68% of the higher rainforest species recorded in alpine areas in Tasmania are present in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The park's alpine vegetation is very diverse and has largely escaped forest fires that have caused neighbouring regions to suffer.