Nestled within Tasmania's ancient wilderness, the new Cradle Mountain hotel is a testament to sensitive and purposeful design. Conceived by Melbourne-based Austin Maynard Architects, the project holds deep personal significance for directors Andrew Maynard and Mark Austin, both of whom were born, raised, and educated in Tasmania, earning degrees in Environmental Design and Architecture from the University of Tasmania.
Rather than a single large structure, the hotel's functions are strategically scattered across the landscape, minimising impact and inviting guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings as they move throughout the hotel and its landscape.
This design philosophy is centred on a rare and invaluable feature of Cradle Mountain: its pristine, unpolluted dark-sky. The hotel is a sanctuary from artificial light, offering an unparalleled view of the Milky Way. To protect this core experience, the buildings themselves are designed to be almost completely black. This unique choice allows them to absorb light and recede into the landscape, ensuring that the true stars of the show are the ancient Tasmanian wilderness and the spectacular, unencumbered night sky above.
