About Sheffield, Cradle Mountain & Surrounding Areas

SHEFFIELD

The Town of Murals Nestled in Cradle Country's rural heartland, Sheffield - the Town of Murals - is the gateway to Tasmania's iconic Cradle Mountain. Visitors are simply captivated by the 50 murals in and around this quaint country town. All around are the fertile farmlands of Kentish Plains, with Mt Roland dominating the southern skyline at 1233m above sea level. Is it any wonder pioneering settlers named their townships Paradise, No Where Else and Promised Land?

The Kentish region enjoys some of the best cool climate vineyards and wineries in Tasmania. You can meet the winemakers/brewers when you visit the boutique wineries and brewery for tastings and sales. Honey, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, olive oil, beers, wines, spirits, cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables can be sampled and purchased locally. Ready to eat or relished later, delicious Kentish produce is a special indulgence that will add flavour to your journey in stunning Cradle Country.

Sheffield has developed into a hub for fine arts and crafts people. There are studio-galleries where local work can be seen and bought, including , art & essence, woodcraft, glass marbles, ceramics and Sheffield Market is held on every third Saturday. At the Working Art Space, a co-op of artists display their wares and also demonstrate their skills for visitors. Kentish Museum contains a wealth of information and artifacts which reveal the shire's agricultural, industrial and social histories. At Promised Land is Tasmazia – a whimsical complex which includes challenging mazes, the model village Lower Crackpot, and a pancake parlour.

Sheffield eateries can cater for a quick take-away, a restaurant meal or anything in between. Browsers will discover various specialty stores where souvenirs, second-hand treasures, fine art and gifts are on sale. Accommodation includes cabins, guest houses, motels and self-contained cottages both in Sheffield or the surrounding bush and countryside.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN

World Heritage Area

Just an hour’s drive from Sheffield, this iconic mountain and the beautiful Dove Lake are easily accessed at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The renowned Overland Track is a 5-6 day walking link between the mountain and Cynthia Bay on Lake St Clair. While this trek is not for the faint-hearted, there are numerous short, half-day and full-day walks that can be enjoyed in the alpine high country beneath Cradle Mountain.
Staying overnight in the Cradle Valley is an experience in itself. There are a number of well-appointed accommodation options for family holiday needs right through to luxury cabins. And when the sun goes down or the snow sets in, there is no shortage of indoor entertainment with pampering day spas, the Devils@Cradle wildlife centre, The Wilderness Gallery, and fine Tasmanian food and wine to enjoy by the fire.
Just 25 minutes drive from the National Park is Moina. Once a bustling pioneer town, Moina today is a peaceful retreat, ideal as a base for bushwalkers and fishing enthusiasts heading to the nearby lakes Barrington, Cethana or Gairdner.

RAILTON

Town of Topiary

Found between Latrobe and Sheffield, this industry-based township has added more than 100 imaginative topiary characters to its main street area in recent years. In 'Cradle Mountain National Paddock' visitors can photograph the only `living' Tasmanian Tiger.

Visitor attractions also include a brewery, fibre optic lighting and gifts store, a delightful country tea room, two secondhand stores and a local crafts gallery. The town is also equipped with several food supply stores, hairdresser, service station, pub and newsagency.

WILMOT

Valley of Views

Visit Wilmot and take an alternate route to or from Cradle Mountain. Known locally as the Valley of Views, the winding roads around Wilmot offer the best panoramic outlooks over Cradle Country. Visitors will enjoy hinterland scenery and also a novelty letterbox trail.

Wilmot is home to the first Coles family general store, and the present-day general store operates from the very same site. There is an award winning winery, a bakery, an enlightening local museum and market on the first Saturday of the month.