Cradle Mountain is a mountain in Tasmania, Australia. It rises to 5,070 feet (1,545 meters). It is 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Devonport in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. The mountain got its name because it looks like a miner’s cradle—that is, a rocking box used for washing gold. The area’s rainforests, glacial lakes, and waterfalls make it a popular destination for hikers.
Preservation of Cradle Mountain dates to the early 1900’s. In 1910, Austrian-born outdoorsman Gustav Weindorfer climbed Cradle Mountain. Inspired by its beauty, he built a chalet (Swiss-style house) near the mountain in Cradle Valley. Weindorfer worked for more than 10 years to have the area protected. In 1922, some 158,000 acres (64,000 hectares) of land between the mountain and Lake St. Clair were declared a national park. The area of the park was gradually increased. Today, the park spans some 398,000 acres (161,000 hectares). A replica of Weindorfer’s chalet features displays that tell the history of the building and the park. 
