Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge

The beautiful surrounds and easy access to the many gorgeous walks of Cradle Mountain are enough to turn a blind eye to what is a poorly run accommodation that punches well below it's price point. The cozy lobby is unfortunately poorly staffed and we often found ourselves at the end of a line waiting to arrange any of a number of bookings. Everyday, each guest is required to: book a time for breakfast; dinner if you want to eat at the restaurant; and tickets for the park. In addition to usual questions, check in and out, etc. It was a big ask for what was usually a solitary staff member. We often felt like an imposition when trying to arrange paid services during our stay. Many of the staff are lovely and helpful but are let down by a few disinterested team members. One of whom left a busy breakfast service and returned smelling of cannabis. A wood fireplace is the saving grace for fairly dated rooms in desperate need of a refresh. Unfortunately the beautiful view in our roomwas hidden behind a broken blind that we couldn't pull up. We stayed 6 nights and did have to specially request our towels and gowns be washed. The activities are managed by the knowledgeable Stan who runs a number of guided walks and wildlife spotting tours which were fantastic. They unfortunately only run 5 out of 7 days a week and are a challenge to book. The website suggests emailing in advance however ours weeks prior was left without a reply. On check in, we were told "there is 100% chance the answer is no" when we inquired about tours but when we asked again later that day we were able to book in directly with Stan. There are two food options: the Highland restaurant offering a 'fine dining' option (if you can get in, we could only score a booking on one of our six nights); and a pub style tavern serving average pub food at a price point befitting the location. We got caught out after a long day of hiking, returning to find the kitchen at the tavern closes at 8pm - not an easy piece of information to locate, the website states "midday to late". Having arrived at ten past eight we were informed 'the kitchen was closed; there are no other options for food within a >1 hour drive and there was no way we could have anything to eat.' They were happy to sell us some wine though! All of these inadequacies are forgiven when you wander outside and are treated to the view of a wombat in the button grass. My advice is to go to Cradle Mountain, but stay somewhere else.

Someone only came to service room 50% of the time. Taps in shower were installed incorrectly (each turned on and off in different directions.)and differently so it was hard to operate and dangerous. Wood for the fire was so big that i could't lift them to keep the fire going. Food in the bistro was awful and expensive.

We arrived in the evening and were immediately impressed with the reception building. It struck the perfect balance of being grand yet authentically rustic, setting the tone for our stay. Unfortunately, the welcome itself didn’t match the surroundings. The receptionist barely acknowledged us until we sat down, and the check-in felt rushed, with only the briefest explanation before we were sent off to our cabin. The cabin itself was excellent. Located a short drive up the hill, it was more spacious than expected and included some thoughtful complimentary touches—snacks and a bottle of red wine. The pseudo-fireplace gave the room a cozy feel, though the bathroom was icy cold, even with the heat lamps on. Under-floor heating would have made a big difference. The cabin was spotless, and despite having neighbors in the adjoining unit, we heard almost no noise. A heads-up for future visitors: there’s no internet or TV in the rooms, so bring a book or enjoy the digital detox. One of the highlights of our stay was waking on the second morning to a fresh blanket of snow outside the window—it was absolutely magical. The nearby Enchanted Walk trail was also a delight, taking only about 20 minutes but looking stunning with the snow on the ground. We ate at the Tavern Bar on both nights. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, but the food was a little underwhelming. I ordered pizza both nights; while the flavors were fine, they weren’t heated properly, especially on top. Prices were also on the high side ($30 for a pizza), though we’ve noticed dining in Tasmania tends to be expensive in general. One frustration came when asking about the shuttle to Dove Lake. Reception told us where to catch it, but neglected to mention that a pass was required. We only discovered this once we reached the Ranger Station, which meant trekking back to reception to buy the pass before returning for the shuttle. It felt like an unnecessary hassle that could have been avoided with clearer information up front. Overall: Peppers Cradle Mountain is a charming and very convenient base for exploring the area, with cozy cabins and magical surroundings. However, the lack of warmth at reception and a few oversights in service gave the impression that the property may be resting a little on its reputation. With a bit more attention to detail and guest care, it could easily deliver an outstanding experience.

This place is advertised as a world class destination, if your coming for a day trip pack extra clothing just to wear in the bar it's absolutely freezing, the two fires which are never stoked are to small to accommodate such a large open space. The bar food is horrendously overpriced, and as a local is frankly insulting. As a vegan, there is nothing on the menu except a $30 vegetable burger that I can buy in the supermarket for less than $10....I asked if a vegan pizza could be made and the look of distain I received from the barmaid was completely uncalled for, after asking the chef I was then told that the bases are premade and were not vegan, so the only option was the burger which came with dry old chips so 2 beers and burger $50....it's just pub grub and nothing spectacular. This is not a cheap family day out if you want to eat. On another note the man next to me when he received his meal the side of sauce in a separate container on his plate was tipped over when the waitress put it down it went all over the table and his glasses and she just walked away !!!!! No offer to replace it or to help clean it up or offer a cloth !!!! Poor very very poor ! Lift your game ! Again, The Lodge is a destination for world travellers, and the area is unique and wonderful. Just keep in mind there are other places to eat that may have better service a better menu, and warmer looked after fires that everyone doesn't huddle around trying to get warm. A suggestion perhaps the management should visit a real snow lodge like Thredbo and see how it should be run. Won't be going back for a very long time.

Stunning location, totally private, warm comfy cabin, complete with wood fire, spa and beaut bed, enhanced by attentive and friendly staff. Cradle Mountain lodge is ideally located to enjoy this iconic Tassie location.