Dove Lake Circuit (Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park)
Dove Lake is situated at the base of Cradle Mountain. It is a popular tourist attraction with well maintained walking track and the picture perfect boathouse shed.
One can take shuttle service (every 10 min) from visitor information center to base of circuit walk or private vehicles can go after the shuttle service hours b/w 8 am to 7pm (8 am to 5pm in winter). The walks are well signed. To go to dove lake one can either choose to walk the 6km easy Dove lake circuit(2 – 3 Hrs, we did it in 2 Hrs with a 7 year old) or can just walk till Dove lake boatshed or the Glacier Rock lookout ( 10 Min).
Dove lake walk info
This walk can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise, we took clockwise. Clockwise is bit easier as you mostly descend slope. The Dove lake circuit walk consists of 3 major parts when walked clockwise.
Glacier Rock Lookout
10 min into the walk you’ll find small deviation to Glacier Rock lookout gives a beautiful view of the lake, the cradle mountain peak and the boatshed. It is a big rock above Dove lake, which gives an insight to the Glacier activities happened in Cradle mountain region during Ice age.
Dove lake view from glacier rock
When you continue the hike on the dedicated walking track there are few access points to the lake bank. One can relax and spend some time there.
Ballroom Forest
Our next point is Ballroom Forest which is just after half way mark. This a beautiful rain forest with few creeks and trees covered with moss. The stretch of walk is very pleasant and gives the feel of cradle mountain forests.
Ballroom Forest Dove lake Ballroom forest board
Boatshed
Last stretch of the walk has bit rocky slippery slopes, mostly gravel tracks which links to Marions Lookout track. When you continue the walk you will see the picture perfect Dove lake boatshed. The boat shed was built in 1940, once actively used for boating. This is an insta-worthy stop and one can get the panoramic View of the lake and its surroundings. When continued you can get back to the car park or there are few linking track to Lake Lilla , wombat poo and Crater lake circuit from here.
Dove lake boat house far Dove lake circuit west side Dove lake half way cradle mountain view Dove lake circuit Dove lake circuit half way Dove lake view Dove lake boatshed view
