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Cradle Mountain is one of the easiest places in the world to see wild wombats. On a cool afternoon in Cradle Valley it is common to watch several of them grazing beside the boardwalks, completely unbothered by the people taking their photo.
We stay overnight at Cradle Mountain on most of our multi-day tours, so wombat spotting is a regular part of our week. This guide covers where and when to see wombats at Cradle Mountain, other great wombat spots in Tasmania, how to watch them without stressing them, and the facts people ask us about most (yes, including the cube-shaped poo).
Tasmanian wombats at a glance
The wombats you will meet at Cradle Mountain are bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus), also called common wombats. Tasmania has its own subspecies, which is a little smaller than its mainland cousins. Early settlers called them "badgers", but their closest living relative is actually the koala.
- ~20 kgAverage Tasmanian adult
- ~85 cmAverage body length
- Up to 20 mBurrow length
- 3 to 8 hrsGrazing each night
| Subspecies | Where it lives | Average length | Average weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmanian wombat (V. u. tasmaniensis) | Mainland Tasmania, sea level to alpine areas | About 85 cm | About 20 kg |
| Mainland wombat (V. u. hirsutus) | South-east Queensland, NSW, Victoria, south-east SA | About 1 m (up to 1.2 m) | About 27 kg (up to 35 kg) |
| Flinders Island wombat (V. u. ursinus) | Flinders Island, and introduced to Maria Island | About 75 cm | Smallest of the three |
Figures from the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Where to see wombats at Cradle Mountain
Wombats live right across Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, but they love the open buttongrass and grassy flats of Cradle Valley. These are our go-to spots.
Ronny Creek
Ronny Creek is the classic wombat spot. The boardwalk across the grassy flats (the start of the Overland Track) runs straight through prime grazing ground, and on a cool afternoon you can often count several wombats from the boardwalk alone. It is a stop on the park shuttle bus, between the Visitor Centre and Dove Lake.
Cradle Mountain wombat walks
- Ronny Creek boardwalk: flat and easy, the best chance of a sighting.
- Knyvet Falls walk: about 30 minutes return, with a good chance of wombats along the way.
- Enchanted Walk: a 25-minute loop near the park entrance, better known for platypus but worth a look for wombats at dusk.
For more easy options, see our guide to the top 5 short scenic walks in Cradle Mountain.
Around Cradle Valley at dusk
After checking into our accommodation, we head out in the late afternoon to look for wildlife before dark. Because we travel in a small group, we can stop wherever something appears. Alongside wombats we regularly see Bennett's wallabies, pademelons and brushtail possums, and it is sometimes possible to stand a couple of metres from a wombat busy with its evening meal.
Driving yourself? Private cars can't use the road to Ronny Creek and Dove Lake while the park shuttle is running. Catch the shuttle from the Visitor Centre, and check current shuttle times and fares with Parks and Wildlife Service before you go.
Best time to see wombats
Wombats are mostly nocturnal, but they usually start grazing in the late afternoon, which is your best window.
- Time of day: late afternoon to dusk is the sweet spot. Early morning can also work.
- Season: wombats are around all year. In cold weather (common at Cradle Mountain, which sits at around 900 m) they are often active during the day too, so autumn and winter can be surprisingly good.
- Weather: overcast, cool days tend to bring them out earlier than hot, sunny ones.
How to watch wombats responsibly
Cradle Mountain's wombats have grown up around visitors and show little fear of people. That makes them easy to photograph, and it also means it is up to us to keep them wild.
- Keep your distance: give them space and let them choose how close to come. Never block their path to a burrow.
- Don't touch or feed them: human food makes wildlife sick, and wombats can bite or charge if they feel cornered.
- Stay on the boardwalk: it protects fragile alpine vegetation and the wombats' food supply.
- No flash: use natural light, especially at dusk.
- Slow down after dark: wildlife on the road is the biggest risk. Drive slowly between dusk and dawn, everywhere in Tasmania.
Other places to see wombats in Tasmania
Cradle Mountain is the most reliable spot on a typical Tasmanian itinerary, but it is not the only one.
- Maria Island National Park: wombats here are famous for being active during the day and are very easy to see around Darlington.
- Narawntapu National Park: on the north coast, with open grassland that attracts wombats, wallabies and Forester kangaroos at dusk.
- Mount William National Park: in the far north-east, near the northern end of larapuna / Bay of Fires.
- Wildlife sanctuaries: for a guaranteed sighting, sanctuaries such as Natureworld on the east coast care for wombats, Tasmanian devils and other native animals. Seeing them in the wild at Cradle Mountain is still something special.
For a wider look at what you can see around the island, read our guide to wildlife and nature encounters in Tasmania.
How wombats live
Diet
Wombats are strict herbivores. Native grasses make up most of their diet, along with sedges, herbs, roots, shrubs and bark, and moss is a favourite. Their single pair of upper and lower incisors never stops growing, which keeps them sharp enough to handle tough alpine plants.
Burrows
Wombats are expert diggers. A burrow can stretch up to 20 metres long and more than 2 metres underground, with several entrances, connecting tunnels and nests lined with sticks, leaves and grass. A single wombat may visit up to four burrows in a night.
The famous cube-shaped poo
Yes, it is true: wombats produce cube-shaped droppings. The shape forms in the last section of the intestine, and wombats leave them on logs, rocks and other raised spots to mark their territory. Keep an eye out on the boardwalks at Cradle Mountain.
Breeding and baby wombats
- Pregnancy: about 30 days, usually producing a single joey.
- Pouch life: the joey stays in the pouch for about six months. The pouch opens backwards, so no dirt gets in while mum is digging.
- Growing up: the young wombat stays with its mother until about 18 months old and is mature at around two years.
- Lifespan: around 15 years in the wild and about 20 years in captivity.
The wombat "butt" defence
A wombat's rump is covered in very thick, tough skin. When threatened, it dives head first into a burrow or hollow log and blocks the entrance with its rear end, and it can crush an attacker against the roof of the burrow. Natural predators in Tasmania are Tasmanian devils and eagles, and before its extinction the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) probably hunted them too.
Threats and how you can help
The good news first: Tasmania's state-wide wombat population has grown by about 61% since 1985, according to the state's long-running spotlight surveys, though numbers dipped around 7% between 2014 and 2023. The main pressures today are:
- Roads: vehicles at night are the biggest danger to Tasmanian wildlife, even in national parks with low speed limits.
- Sarcoptic mange: a mite-borne skin disease linked to a wombat decline in the Central North since 2007. Affected wombats look patchy, crusty and often wander in daylight.
- Habitat loss and dogs: particularly near towns and farmland.
Found an injured or mangy wombat? Don't approach it. Note the location and contact a local wildlife rescue service or the Tasmanian Government's injured wildlife line.
More Cradle Mountain and Tasmanian wildlife
Wombats are just the start. Around Cradle Mountain you might also see wallabies, pademelons, spotted-tailed quolls, platypus and, if you are very lucky, a Tasmanian devil. Further afield, these guides are worth a read:
- Short-beaked echidnas: one of Australia's most ancient animals, with rare albino sightings recorded in Tasmania.
- Tasmanian devils: loud, feisty and fighting back against devil facial tumour disease.
- Fairy penguins: the world's smallest penguin, coming ashore at dusk.
- Glow worms in the Mole Creek Caves: a short drive from Cradle Mountain.
Common questions
Are there wombats in Tasmania?
Yes. Bare-nosed (common) wombats live across mainland Tasmania, from sea level to the alpine plateau. Tasmania has its own subspecies, Vombatus ursinus tasmaniensis, and Flinders Island has another.
Where is the best place to see wombats in Tasmania?
Cradle Mountain, especially the Ronny Creek boardwalk in the late afternoon, is the most reliable spot for most visitors. Maria Island is the best place to see them during the day.
What time of day are wombats out at Cradle Mountain?
Late afternoon through to dusk is best. On cold or overcast days they often graze during the day as well.
Can you touch or feed the wombats?
No. They are wild animals, they can bite or charge, and feeding them human food makes them sick. Enjoy them from a respectful distance.
How long do wombats live?
Around 15 years in the wild and about 20 years in captivity.
What is a baby wombat called?
A joey. It lives in its mother's backward-facing pouch for about six months and stays with her until roughly 18 months old.
Do wombats only live in Australia?
Yes. All three living wombat species are found only in Australia, and the bare-nosed wombat is the one you will see in Tasmania.
Why is wombat poo square?
The cube shape forms in the final, very dry section of the intestine, where differences in muscle thickness sharpen the corners. The cubes stack neatly on logs and rocks to mark territory.