Penguin Cradle Trail Tasmania: A 7-day wilderness hike

Tasmania off the beaten track: Conquer the Penguin Cradle Trail

Hiking, Planning, Tasmania, Trail Guide

Tasmania’s Penguin Cradle Trail is an 80km, remote, challenging hike from Penguin to Cradle Valley, offering wild landscapes, lakes, canyons, and waterfalls.

A complete guide to hiking the Penguin Cradle Trail in Tasmania’s wild heart

In 2023, we spent seven days hiking Tasmania’s Penguin Cradle Trail—and didn’t come across another hiker.

The experience was wild, challenging and breathtakingly beautiful.

This 80km trail is both technical and spectacular—from the narrow, shaley track clinging to the walls of Leven Canyon, 275m above the roaring river, to the Black Bluff Range, where sparse mountainous ridges stretch into nothingness.

We tackled the ‘PCT’ (not to be confused with the Pacific Crest Trail) after missing out on a spot on the iconic Overland Track. It proved an unforgettable adventure.

Our itinerary

If you’re craving a true wilderness experience and tranquil bush camps, you’ll love the Penguin Cradle Trail.

At 80kms it’s similar in distance to the legendary Overland Track, but the vertical gain is much greater – 3,600m compared with 1,600. And there are far fewer people on trail.

Here’s our Penguin Cradle Trail itinerary from January 2023.

Day 1: Penguin – Adit Creek (18km)
Day 2: Adit Creek – Dobsons Flat (16km)
Day 3: Dobsons Flat – Leven Canyon Island (8km)
Day 4: Leven Canyon – Loongana (after steel bridge) (5km)
Day 5: Loongana – Paddys Lake (9km)
Day 6: Paddys Lake – Fourways (20km)
Day 7: Fourways – Cradle Mountain Lodge (8km)
Total distance: 84km

Lessons learned

It was just our second multi-day trail, and it served up some big lessons.

Hiking poles are a lifesaver on steep, slippery terrain (we only had one between us and relied on sticks)
Always treat your water, no matter how clear or fast-flowing it looks (we learned the hard way!)
Technical terrain demands careful footwork and can push your limits (we narrowly escaped a canyon casualty)
Hiking is a mind game, and grit matters as much as physical strength
Stools are a bush-camping game changer (and worth the weight), especially at Paddy’s Lake, where leeches are rife in the wet grass
Don’t rush the trail. Slow down, look around and give yourself time to enjoy where you are, not just where you’re going

Key facts & figures

Tasmania’s hidden gem, the Penguin Cradle Trail offers a true wilderness experience, with no infrastructure, minimal track markers, few people and an exquisite variety of natural landscapes.

Distance: 80 km
Duration: 6-8 days
Trail type: End to end
Difficulty: Challenging (Grade 5)
Season: No “closed” season
Total elevation gain: 4610m
Highest point: 1248m
Water: Natural sources only
Camping style: Remote, undeveloped camping
Infrastructure: No infrastructure (except some nearby commercial operators)
Mobile reception: Limited or non-existent (predominantly Telstra)

Transport & logistics

Start/end locations: Town of Penguin, near the Lobster Creek Bridge/Tramway Track | Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre/Lodge
Access Point: Via Launceston airport, then a combination of bus services taking around three hours. First, Launceston to Devonport or Burnie using Kinetic intercity services, then transfer to local route (i.e. 708) to Penguin.

Trail highlights

Leven Canyon gorge views
Black Bluff plateau vistas
Sparkling alpine lakes
Remote bush camps
Temperate rainforest and moorlands
Cradle Valley forests and plains
Picturesque waterfalls

Why hike the Penguin Cradle Trail?

Remote inland route offering deep wilderness immersion
Epic journey from rugged coastline to alpine Cradle Mountain
Challenging Grade 5 conditions for experienced bushwalkers
Dramatic landscapes including Leven Canyon and Black Bluff
Diverse ecosystems spanning forests, moorlands and alpine lakes
Minimal maintenance and infrastructure for a true self-reliant adventure

Skill level & preparation

You should be comfortable with:

A remote and physically demanding trail
Multi-day hiking with a full pack
Route-finding and navigation (markers are minimal)
River and creek crossings
Remote, undeveloped camping spots for a, largely, wilderness experience
Complete self-sufficiency with no emergency facilities
Unpredictable and adverse weather conditions

Permits & bookings

No permits or bookings are required, unlike the Overland Track
A valid Tasmania Parks pass is needed for Cradle Mountain at the trail’s southern end
Walkers are strongly advised to register with Parks & Wildlife for safety

When to go

Best time: November through April
Milder, more stable weather and longer daylight hours.
Avoid: Winter and Early Spring
Severe weather, including snow, hail, strong winds, and flooding (especially in Leven Canyon)

How it compares

Vs. Overland Track (TAS): Far more remote and less maintained, with no huts or boardwalks and a stronger sense of isolation.
Vs. Larapinta Trail (NT): Shorter but wetter, trading arid desert ranges for dense forests, river crossings and alpine terrain.

Final word: Who this trail is for

The Penguin Cradle Trail is for experienced bushwalkers seeking solitude, and who are prepared for overgrown sections, changing weather and rugged conditions.