Festival of Fagus | 24 Apr - 9 May '21
The Festival of Fagus is a celebration of autumn, wilderness and one of Tasmania’s favourite natural events - the turning of the leaves of Australia’s only native deciduous plant, Nothofagus gunnii or as it’s more commonly known, ‘fagus’.
Typically through late April and into early May, sections of alpine mountainside in Tasmania turn a spectacular orange as the ornate leaves of these tangled native plants change colour and eventually fall.
Held in the alpine setting of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania’s north west, the Festival of Fagus draws together a series of events and experiences to help visitors to engage with the wild, welcome the cool, crisp days of autumn and enjoy exploring the mountains.
What can I expect during the Festival?
- A number of small events at and around Cradle Mountain
- Workshops for photography, art, chocolate and gin
- Specially designed tours for exploring Cradle and finding fagus
- Autumnal menus inspired by Tasmanian seasonal produce
What's On?
Take on as much or as little as you like during the Festival of Fagus. From daytime activities in the national park to evenings by the fire with seasonally-inspired menus, there are plenty of ways to celebrate autumn at Cradle Mountain.
Turning of the fagus - Guided hiking tours | $175 pp
Explore Cradle Mountain with a local guide who will show you the best places to find fagus, as well as share the stories of Cradle Mountain with you. Tours depart from the McDermott's Cradle Tours office at the national park visitor centre, however a pickup from your accommodation is available. Note: moderate-high fitness level required.
Time & Availability: Available daily | Tour duration from 4-5 hours.
Booking: For more information or to book, call 0364921070 or click here
Fagus Park Explorer Tours | $39 pp
Explore Cradle Mountain and the turning of the fagus with a fully guided interpretive tour, learning about the fascinating human and natural history of the area. Tours depart from the McDermott's Cradle Tours office at the national park visitor centre, however a pickup from your accommodation is available.
Time & Availability: Available daily | Tour duration 2 hours.
Booking: For more information or to book, call 0364921070 or click here
24 April | Photography Workshop with Luke O'Brien | $195 pp
Spend a day honing your photography skills around Cradle Mountain with Tasmanian wilderness photographer, Luke O'Brien. Starting from Cradle Mountain Hotel, your day in the wilderness includes local transport from the Hotel to and around the national park, guiding, photography instruction and lunch.
Time & Availability: 09:00-18:30 | Maximum 10 guests
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
24 April | Gin Masterclass with Bill McHenry | $95 pp
Under the tutelage of Tasmanian distiller Bill McHenry, learn to blend your own gin from over a dozen autumn-inspired botanicals. Class includes all the materials required, nibbles to ensure you aren't blending on an empty stomach and you can take home your own 500ml blended masterpiece afterwards! Class takes place at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
Timing & Availability: 12PM-2PM | Maximum 10 guests
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
24 April | Gin Masterclass with Bill McHenry | $95 pp
Under the tutelage of Tasmanian distiller Bill McHenry, learn to blend your own gin from over a dozen autumn-inspired botanicals. Class includes all the materials required, nibbles to ensure you aren't blending on an empty stomach and you can take home your own 500ml blended masterpiece afterwards! Class takes place at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
Timing & Availability: 3PM-5PM | Maximum 10 guests (less than 5 tickets remaining)
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
1 May | Sip 'n' Paint Workshop with Liz Braid | $90 pp
Join local artist Liz Braid in the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery for 1.5 hours of sipping and painting. Liz will prepare Tasmanian wilderness-inspired outline sketches and teach you how to beautifully water colour them. Includes all materials, a glass of sparkling or beer and canapes.
Timing & Availablity: 4PM-5:30PM | Maximum 20 guests |
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
24 April | Focus on the Fagus 2021 | SOLD OUT
Every year, like-minded photographers come together for a week of wilderness photography at Cradle Mountain. Staying at the Cradle Mountain Discovery Park, you can come together with the group to enjoy and share your experience, technical knowledge and stories of chasing the perfect shot in the wild.
Timing & Availability: Week-long event held from 24 April
Booking: Click here for more information
2 May | Hosted Wilderness Gallery tour with Jessie Pangas | $10 pp
Enjoy a hosted interpretive tour of the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery with Curator, Jessie Pangas. Dive deep into the intricacies of the art, its origins, inspiration and story. Your tour includes a barista coffee on arrival and a house-baked treat from the Chefs at Altitude Restaurant.
Timing & Availability: 9AM-10AM | Maximum 10 guests
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
8 May | Photography Workshop with Cam Blake | $195 per person
Spend a day honing your photography skills around Cradle Mountain with Tasmanian wilderness photographer, Cam Blake. Starting from Cradle Mountain Hotel, your day in the wilderness includes local transport from the Hotel to and around the national park, guiding, photography instruction and lunch.
Time & Availability: 9AM-6:30PM | Maximum 10 guests
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
8 May | Chocolate Masterclass with Federation Chocolate | $95 per person
Join Helen and Maurice Curtis (Chocolatier and Chocolate Maker) of Federation Chocolate for two hours of fascinating and interactive fun as you learn about the art of chocolate making. Make your own flavoured blocks to take home, using autumn-inspired flavours and creating your own recipe. Class takes place at Cradle Mountain Hotel.
Detail: 3PM-5PM | Maximum 20 guests
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
9 May | Mother's Day Buffet Lunch
As the Festival of Fagus draws to a close, Altitude Restuarant will host a buffet lunch for Mother's Day. Enjoy a menu featuring meats, salads and seafoods and including roast lamb, chicken and pork. All Mums who join us for lunch, will be given a complimentary glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine. View the menu here.
Detail: 11:00AM - 2:30PM | Adults - $35 | 14-18 years - $18 | Under 14 years - No charge
Booking: Reservations recommended | Please call us on 0364921404 to book
9 May | Mother's Day Sip 'n' Paint with Liz Braid | $90 pp
Celebrate Mother's Day with 1.5 hours of sipping and painting with Liz Braid in the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery. Liz will prepare wilderness-inspired outline sketches and teach you how to water colour them. Includes all materials, a glass of Holm Oak NV Sparkling Rosé and canapes.
Timing & Availablity: 2:30PM-4:00PM | Maximum 20 guests
Booking: Click here for more information and to book
View the turning of the fagus from above
Join Cradle Mountain Helicopters for a birds eye view of the turning of the fagus. This can be seen on all flight options. The most popular flight is the Cradle Mountain and Fury Gorge Adventure flight: 20 minutes of breathtaking beauty including Australia’s deepest gorge. See Tasmania’s highest peak, Mount Ossa, and the famous Overland Track.
Detail: Available daily, subject to weather | Flights from between 10 and 100 minutes | Bookings recommended
Booking: Click here for more information and to book or call 64921132
Other information
Stay and play... Read on for accommmodation packages available during the Festival of Fagus, information about visiting the Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair National Park and other activities and things to do at and around Cradle Mountain.
Hitting the trails to find the fagus? Our top three ‘leaf peeping’ walks are listed below.
COVID SAFETY
All venues and suppliers taking part in the Festival of Fagus are operating to COVID-safe requirements. All events and activities have capped numbers and social distancing measures will be in place, as required. For further information relating to COVID-safe practices at Cradle Mountain Hotel, please click here
