Cradle Mountain Master Plan

TypeMaster PlanLocationCradle Mountain, TasmaniaClientCradle Coast Authority, TICT, Kentish Council, Parks and Wildlife ServicesYear2016ArchitectCumulus StudioPhotosSixth Law & Thurston Empson

Cradle Mountain is one of the most iconic and frequently visited sites in Tasmania, however despite this, the supporting infrastructure is out-dated and insufficient to deal with the current visitor demands or future forecasted increases.

The new Cradle Mountain Master Plan, designed by Cumulus Studio in conjunction with tourism strategists Inspired by Marketing, focuses on the visitor experience, the sense of arrival to Cradle and how the new Visitor Centre will launch the walker, tourist or kayaker into the World Heritage Area (WHA).

Developed for the Cradle Coast Authority in conjunction with Parks & Wildlife, Kentish Council and the Tourism Industry Council, the plan proposes three key development elements – a new Wilderness Village and Visitor Centre on the edge of the WHA, improved access to Dove Lake via a Cable Car and a new Viewing Shelter on the edge of Dove Lake.

From an architectural perspective, it was important that the buildings were designed to be sensitive to the environment and World Heritage Values. It is envisaged that the buildings should feel solid and grounded, as if sculpted from the site or carved from a solid rock by a glacier. Buildings were designed to enhance the visitor experience by revealing views and other aspects of the landscape, culminating in a chance to reflect and contemplate the environment in the viewing shelter at Dove Lake.