Devils@Cradle General Entry

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A day ticket to Devils@Cradle, the conservation sanctuary at the gates of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, where you can watch Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and spotted-tailed quolls up close at your own pace. Your entry helps fund the sanctuary's work to protect all three species.

Days

45 minutes to 1 hour, any time 9:30am to 5pm

Age

All ages; 3 and under free

Group size

Self-guided visit

Start / finish

Devils@Cradle, Cradle Mountain

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Make your own way; free parking on site

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

View map

Included experiences

Tasmanian devils — watch them sleep, sunbake, play fight or forage
Eastern and spotted-tailed quolls — the other two species the sanctuary protects
Conservation sanctuary — learn how the facility protects all three species
Cradle Mountain — combine your visit with a day in the national park

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

ARRIVING AT CRADLE MOUNTAIN

You'll find the sanctuary on Cradle Mountain Road, just before the gate into Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area since 1982. Cradle Mountain itself rises to 1,545 metres, and up here the weather turns fast, so bring a warm layer even in summer. The sanctuary is a conservation and breeding centre for Tasmania's three native carnivores, and your ticket lets you in any time between 9:30am and 5pm. Park on site, walk through reception and you're out among the enclosures. There's no set route and no booking time to keep.

THE TASMANIAN DEVILS

Paths and viewing platforms take you past the devil enclosures. The Tasmanian devil is the largest meat-eating marsupial left on earth, with one of the strongest bites for its size of any mammal. By day you might find them asleep in their dens, sunbaking, play fighting or fossicking for food. Since the 1990s a contagious facial cancer, devil facial tumour disease, has killed most of the wild population, which is why insurance groups like the one bred here matter so much. Look for the white band across the chest that many devils carry.

THE QUOLLS

The sanctuary's other residents are the eastern quoll and the spotted-tailed quoll. The eastern quoll, a fawn or black cat-sized hunter with white spots, vanished from mainland Australia in the 1960s and now survives in the wild only in Tasmania. The spotted-tailed quoll is the bigger of the two, and the only quoll with spots running down its tail. Both are mostly night hunters, so by day you'll often catch them curled up or moving between hiding spots.

TAKING YOUR TIME

Most people spend 45 minutes to an hour here. Want to see the devils fed or hear from a keeper? Keeper, feeding and joey tours run at set times through the day as separate tickets. The gift shop at the entrance sells souvenirs and packaged Tasmanian food, and every ticket helps fund the sanctuary's conservation work. From here the national park entrance is only a few minutes up the road.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Devils@Cradle, 3950 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, about 1.2 km past the visitor centre and bus terminal. Make your own way there; there is parking for cars and campervans.
Departure time: Arrive any time from 9:30am. Last entry is recommended at 4:30pm, and the sanctuary closes at 5pm.
Duration: Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
Minimum age: All ages. Children 3 and under enter free.
Fitness: Paths are woodchip and gravel, with some uneven ground and steps. Wheelchairs can reach the main viewing deck through reception or a side gate, though not every area is accessible. Accessible toilets are on site.
Please note: Cradle Mountain is an alpine area with frequent rain, wind and snow; summer days average about 18°C and winter nights often drop below freezing. Open every day except Christmas Day. No National Parks Pass is needed. Assistance dogs are welcome with 48 hours' notice.

What to bring

Warm, waterproof layers
Sensible walking shoes
Camera
A little cash, in case card payments are down

What is included

General entry to the sanctuary for the day, 9:30am to 5pm
On-site parking

Not included

Guided keeper, feeding, joey and after-dark tours (separate tickets)
Transport to the sanctuary
Food and drink

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

The best place to see Tassie devils and quolls. We went at opening time and they were all out having their morning feed and warming up in the sun.

Jess Verified· Travelled 8th August 2026

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