Dated: 6 August 2025

Spending three months photographing Cradle Mountain in winter sounds like the dream—snow-capped peaks, frosty mornings, mist rolling over alpine lakes. But behind those peaceful, moody images lies a whole lot of planning, persistence, and cold fingers.

This season I committed to chasing winter across Tasmania’s highlands, basing myself around the iconic Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. What I found was equal parts beauty and challenge.

weather watching becomes a full-time job

Winter weather in Tasmania’s alpine regions is wildly unpredictable. I’ve spent countless hours checking mountain forecasts, radar, and wind charts trying to time my shoots. Even with all that prep, the conditions can change in minutes. Clear skies can give way to heavy snow, and calm days can suddenly whip up into 60km/h wind gusts.

But every now and then, the gamble pays off. And when it does, winter landscape photography in tasmania delivers scenes that are nothing short of magical.

the risk and reward of frozen roads and icy trails

Getting to these locations isn’t always straightforward. Snow and ice on access roads means checking alerts daily. Some mornings start in the dark with a slow, cautious drive—hoping the road hasn’t iced over completely overnight. Or just getting the night before and sleeping in the car.

Once on foot, the risk doesn’t let up. Trails can be slippery or fully buried under snow. I’ve relied heavily on microspikes, waterproof boots, and trekking poles. Some hikes are short but steep, and others are long, cold slogs. The gear on your back suddenly feels much heavier when you’re trudging through fresh powder at altitude.

the fitness factor no one talks about

Photographing cradle mountain in snow isn’t just a creative challenge—it’s physical and the risk of injury is high. You need stamina to hike in snow, mental endurance to sit still in the cold waiting for the right light, and resilience to go again the next day when conditions haven’t gone your way.

I don’t think enough people talk about the fitness needed for consistent alpine photography or landscape photography in general. I’ve trained for this in my own quiet way over the years—but the daily hikes, weight of gear, and sharp cold push you to your limits in the best kind of way.

gear that can take a beating

Winter conditions are brutal on camera gear. Batteries die fast, lenses fog, and tripods freeze. My go-to setup includes multiple batteries (kept warm inside my jacket), a solid weather-sealed camera body, and lens cloths everywhere. I also pack rain covers, gloves that allow me to change settings, and enough layers to survive a blizzard—or at least wait out one.

What’s often forgotten in winter alpine photography is the personal gear. Proper thermals, waterproof layers, gaiters, and warm boots and waterproof socks are my go to and mean I can stay out longer and be more comfortable when the moment finally happens.

the reward builds over time

Spending an extended period photographing one region in winter allows you to really learn it. The light, the access points, the small details that shift with the weather. Some days yield nothing but soaked socks and moody grey skies. But as the weeks turn over, the opportunities stack up.

A fresh snowfall here. A clearing fog there. And suddenly, your patience pays off with a scene that lasts only a few minutes—but becomes one of your best.

That’s the beauty of cradle mountain winter photography—it rewards those who wait, who return, who keep showing up even when the forecast is grim and do the hard yards.

Many of my images from this winter at Cradle Mountain are available as fine art prints on my website. If you’re looking to bring a piece of Tasmania’s alpine magic into your home, take a browse through the gallery.