The Creation of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Our national parks today sometimes seem like treasures that were always destined to be recognised and protected. Yet, in many cases, achieving national park status involved a struggle, and was only achieved following protracted campaigning by passionate individuals. Few of us know much of those stories.

Tasmania’s iconic Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park is a case in point. There is an inspiring story behind this Park’s creation, but it’s not widely known. Thankfully, award-winning journalist Kate Legge has taken up the challenge to tell the fascinating story of two unsung founders of this wonderful National Park.

Kindred: A Cradle Mountain Love Story is a well crafted, carefully researched tribute to trailblazers Gustav and Kate Weindorfer who recognised the significance of Cradle Valley for recreational, preservation and scientific purposes. Their story is both a homage to the natural wonders of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clare region and a portrait of two “larger than life” pioneers.

Gustave and Kate met in 1903 at the Field Naturalists Club in Melbourne which hosted regular lectures and wilderness excursions for nature lovers, botanists, geologists and scientists. Gustav was an Austrian immigrant who had grown up in the foothills of the Carinthian Alps where there was a long tradition of recreational hiking and remote mountainside accommodation. Kate was an independent and educated Tasmanian who was undaunted by the male domination of her chosen fields of interest. The couple wed in 1906 and settled in Kate’s hometown of Kindred in north-west Tasmania, on the doorstep of Cradle Valley. Theirs was a love story based around a shared passion for adventure, botany, scientific study, music, local community and physical labour.

Gustav’s European heritage enabled him to see the potential of this remote wilderness area. He became obsessed with the idea of making Cradle Valley accessible to others. Over years, they created the picturesque Waldheim Chalet (German for “Forest Home”) with the intention of accommodating and guiding recreational and scientific visitors at a welcoming lodge. Chalet guests were entertained with singing, music, storytelling, academic debate, an extensive library and homemade cooking.

Aside from the chalet business, Gustav and Kate actively sought to foster awareness of the natural treasures of the region, the restorative powers of nature and the need to protect it through National Park status. They were intrepid pioneers of eco-tourism and keen advocates for the importance of wilderness research and preservation. The granting of National Park and World Heritage recognition to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair region is a testament to the Weindorfers’ beliefs.

This book celebrates the exquisite landscape of the Cradle Valley and an unconventional couple who understood the region’s importance. Their moving story has been extensively researched and beautifully told by Kate Legge.