Where to find Cradle Mountain Accommodation with a real fireplace
One of our favourite ways to end a day in Cradle Mountain National Park is by cosying up beside the warmth of a fireplace. Even after years of exploring this spectacular part of Tasmania and guiding countless guests here on overnight tours, it’s an experience we never take for granted.
If you’re visiting from mainland Australia or abroad, fireplaces might be few and far between. But in Tasmania, they’re part of everyday life—it comes with living this far south of the equator.
After a day outdoors, we love curling up with a good book, enjoying a glass of Tasmanian wine or simply watching the flames dance while rain or mist settles over the surrounding forest. For us, it’s not just about keeping warm. It’s the whole fireside experience.
Personally, we feel that returning to a wood heater is the ultimate way to defrost, whether you've been hiking the Dove Lake Circuit, spotting wombats at dusk or have ventured off on one of Cradle Mountain’s longer walks.
While winter naturally calls for roaring fires, Cradle Mountain’s cool alpine climate means a fireplace is just as welcome during autumn and spring. In fact, there are occasional summer evenings when it’s brisk enough to light the fire!
So no matter what season you’re planning on visiting Tasmania, this article is for you. Read on to discover 3 of our favourite Cradle Mountain accommodations with fireplaces, from luxury retreats to self-catering cottages.
Highlanders Cottages
One of our favourite places to stay near Cradle Mountain (and somewhere we always recommend to visitors) is Highlanders Cottages.
The property sits just 200 metres from the newly-designed Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and Shuttle Bus Terminal, making it incredibly easy to access the national park without worrying about parking or lengthy drives.
In total, there are 16 individually designed cottages to choose from, each of which has been hand-built from local timbers. They’re quintessentially Tasmanian and we love all of the beautifully crafted details - even the toilet roll holders have been built by hand!
While many accommodations cater to one type of traveller, Highlanders Cottages really does have something for everyone. Aside from cosy cabins like the Buttongrass (designed for couples), there are more spacious options like the two-bedroom Forestview Cabin (which can sleep up to 6 people) and the loft-style Pandani Family Cabin.
We also love the Myrtle and Snowgum cabins, which come with fireplaces, spa baths and fantastic views of Cradle Mountain.
It’s worth mentioning that not all of the cabins at Highlanders have wood fireplaces - some have gas heaters. So read through the cabin descriptions carefully before booking. And don’t worry about wood or kindling—it’s all provided as part of the stay.
What every cabin at Highlanders does have is a well-equipped kitchen so you can self-cater throughout your stay, a comfortable lounge and a private outdoor area for enjoying the forested surroundings. Keep an eye out for pademelons and wombats while enjoying your morning coffee!
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge
If you don’t want to self-cater or want a slightly elevated stay, we’d recommend Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. It’s one of Tasmania’s most iconic wilderness retreats…and also one of the more expensive accommodation options in Cradle Mountain!
Nestled on the edge of the national park (two kilometres from the visitor’s centre), it's ideal for travellers wanting easy access to walking trails while enjoying premium facilities. And when we say “premium facilities”, we mean a day spa and the acclaimed Highland restaurant.
Rather than traditional hotel rooms, Peppers offers a collection of private timber cabins and suites scattered throughout the native bushland. While some feature wood heaters, others are equipped with gas fireplaces that recreate the cosy atmosphere of an open fire.
If you want the real deal, consider booking one of the Spa Suites, complete with corner baths, or splurge with a stay in the King Billy Suite. These high-end suites feature separate sleeping and living areas—both with stunning views of the surrounding wilderness—as well as freestanding tubs and private outdoor hot tubs. The double-sided fireplaces are an extra-special touch.
Food is another reason many travellers choose Peppers. The award-winning Highland Restaurant showcases seasonal Tasmanian produce sourced from local farmers, growers and fishers Meanwhile, the Waldheim Alpine Spa offers a range of massages, facials and wellness treatments. It's the perfect way to soothe those tired legs after tackling Cradle Mountain's walking trails.
Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat
We understand that managing a real wood heater isn’t for everyone. If you want the atmosphere of a fireplace, but with an on/off switch, consider staying in one of the character-filled cottages at Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat.
It’s located around 35 minutes from Cradle Mountain—so not as close as the other properties on this list—but is surrounded by native vegetation in the form of an ancient rainforest. The setting is sublime!
Lemonthyme offers a range of accommodation options to suit couples, families and groups, including luxury spa suites, treetop cabins and two-bedroom cottages. All come with gas fireplaces that you can easily switch on when you return from a day’s exploration—no setting logs or trying to get kindling to light. For us, they create the same warm, inviting ambience as a traditional wood heater.
While the cabins, suites and cottages at Lemonthyme aren’t self-catering, they do have tea and coffee-making facilities. Gourmet meals (including breakfast) are served onsite at the Whispering Woods restaurant, which comes complete with a roaring open fireplace—it’s the real deal! There’s also an atmospheric lounge here where you can read in the evenings, play board games or chat with other guests.
An Iconic Tasmanian Wilderness Experience
Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a hiking adventure or a relaxing weekend in Tasmania's wilderness, there's nothing quite like returning to the glow of a fire after a day spent outdoors. It’s an iconic experience to enjoy on the Apple Isle and one that we think is worth planning your Cradle Mountain accommodation around.
With that in mind, it’s important to be aware that Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most popular natural destinations and accommodation is in high demand. Hotels and lodges near the national park can book out early, particularly over the summer and Easter school holidays, long weekends and when snowfall is forecast.
If a fireplace is a priority, book well in advance and double-check that your chosen room, cabin or cottage includes one. Not all do! If you’re not sure, call the accommodation directly to make your booking and let them know that you specifically want a wood heater.
If you’re not confident managing a wood heater, opt for a gas heater instead, preferably one that resembles the glowing warmth of a log fireplace. Then get ready to settle in with that glass of Pinot and experience one of Tasmania’s most magnificent alpine destinations in style.
Want to spend a night (or more) in Cradle Mountain but don’t have your own vehicle? Our shuttles to Cradle Mountain from Launceston or Devonport are the perfect solution.