Australia
Cradle Mountain
Welcome to Tasmania, Australia! Cradle Mountain's jagged, crown-shaped peak reflects perfectly in the calm waters of Dove Lake below it.
Why is it famous?
Its sharp, jagged peak is one of the most photographed mountains in Australia.
On calm days, Dove Lake below turns into a perfect mirror, doubling the mountain's reflection.
How did it form?
Cradle Mountain is made of dolerite, a hard volcanic rock that resists erosion, which is why its peak stayed so jagged.
Dove Lake itself was carved out by a glacier that slowly ground through the rock thousands of years ago.
Amazing facts
The mountain rises 1,545 meters (5,069 feet) above sea level.
A 6-kilometer walking trail circles all the way around Dove Lake.
Quick facts
- The mountain rises 1,545 meters (5,069 feet) above sea level.
- A 6-kilometer walking trail circles all the way around Dove Lake.
- It's part of the Tasmanian Wilderness, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed area.
- The dark tea-colored water of nearby streams comes from plants, not dirt — it's actually clean, just tinted by tannins.