• Views of majestic Cradle Mountain rising above Lake Dove
• Walking in the untainted Tasmanian bush and experience the scents and sounds that make it unique
• You will treasure close encounters with some of Tassie’s endemic furry friends
• Wandering the sandy shores of Macquarie Harbour
• Strolling along the shoreline of Australia’s deepest glacial lake, Lake St. Clair with breath taking views of Mount Olympus

As with any active holiday, the fitter you are for the activity, the more the attention moves from looking at your feet to experiencing your surrounds. Your guides can easily make this trip as challenging or as gentle as you need and want. Fitness enables you to do more, see more or simply relax more.  The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip.  Train for uneven terrain by finding a rough narrow bush track, even just your local park or sports field, go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots (nothing spoils a trekking holiday quite as much as poorly fitted boots!) - splash in the puddles or kick up the dust!  Prepare yourself for adverse conditions by getting out there at a prearranged time despite rain, hail or shine - maybe try parking a few kilometres from work and walking there and back. Different conditions prompt you to see different things and your routine walk can be a whole new experience from under a rain jacket hood. Enjoy your training – include friends and family, set some goals, note your progress, explore.

Introductory
It involves trekking or walking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.

Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate
These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate
These adventures involve trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.

Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Please make your own way to the hotel (final details to be included in your Final Trip Documents). Your guide will meet you in the foyer of the hotel at 6pm for a pre trip briefing before heading out for dinner for the evening.
Overnight: Colonial on Elizabeth (D)

Your guides will meet you at the group hotel at 8.30am and they will aim to depart for Cradle Mountain by about 9.30am. They will conduct a thorough gear check and provide opportunity to hire or purchase any equipment that you need. On the way we will usually stop in the historical town of Sheffield to see the murals and have a cup of coffee. On arrival at the National Park you will check in to your accommodation and have lunch before setting off on an afternoon walk. There are a number of walks and activity options and your guides will offer one most appropriate to the conditions at the time. A favorite afternoon walk is around the beautiful Dove Lake taking in the amazing prehistoric plant life and impressive views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. There will be time in the evening to sight some of Tassie’s special creatures as they graze in the dusk light. After a delicious dinner grab your torch and go in search of some of the elusive and not so elusive nocturnal animals that call this place home. (BLD)

Overnight: Black Jack Cabins (multi share)

Today we will set off early for a full day in the mountains. Your guides can make it as challenging or as leisurely as you wish. Conditions permitting they will offer you the opportunity to trek to the base of Cradle Mountain and climb to its summit. En route encounter the beautiful Crater Falls and Crater Lake before tackling the steep trail up to Marion’s Lookout. Our ultimate objective is to climb the sheer abrupt slopes of Cradle Mountain and take in the sweeping views of the surrounding overland mountains. If weather or other conditions prevent our summit attempt there are numerous alternatives, a popular one is the challenging Face Track, which skirts beneath the world renowned outline of Cradle Mountain. Your guides are passionate about this wonderland and will provide a day full of highlights – blue skies or rough weather this place provides a very special experience. Your guides will provide a packed lunch and plenty of snacks to keep your energy up whilst wandering and at night retire back to your comfortable cabins and relax as they prepare a hearty evening meal. (BLD)
Overnight: Black Jack Cabins (multi share)

Another wonderful day in the hills will begin with a delicious breakfast as the morning light filters through the Myrtle Beech forest around the cabins. This morning we will pack our luggage, load the bus and then don daypacks for a morning walk. There will be an opportunity to check out the visitor centre and do some short walks, including the King Billy Walk which takes in some of the oldest trees in the world including an ancient King Billy Pine that is between 1500 and 2000 years old. Then we leave Cradle Mountain behind as we head west. After lunch we bus through Tullah and Roseberry before walking to Montezuma Falls passing Sassafras and Native Laurel before making our way to Strahan for the evening. (BLD)
Overnight: Motel Strahan

Opportunities for exploration are vast while in Strahan.  Walking Ocean Beach to Macquarie Heads or taking a cruise through Macquarie Harbour.   In the afternoon we drive from Strahan to Lake St Clair, stopping midway for a walk to Donaghy’s Hill and spectacular views of the Savage River National Park and Frenchman’s Cap.  Our next two evenings are spent at Cynthia Bay on the shores of Australia’s deepest natural lake, Lake St. Clair.(BLD)
Overnight: Engineer Cottages, Tarraleah Lodge

We spend a full day walking today.  Opportunities include the Mt. Rufus circuit where we are met with incredible 360 degree views of the Du Cane Range, Mt. Olympus and deep into the ranges of the Southwest National Park.  The return to Cynthia bay follows groves of Tasmanian Snow gums and Pandanis. (BLD)
Overnight: Engineer Cottages, Tarraleah Lodge

After leaving Lake St. Clair we drive through the Central Plateau Conservation Area, passing the Great Lake before descending through the dolerite bluffs of the Western Tiers.  Lunching beside the Liffey River, we then make an easy walk through Manferns and Myrtle to the cascading Liffey Falls.  A short drive returns us to Launceston. (BL)
Overnight: Colonial on Elizabeth

Your trip concludes after breakfast in Launceston (B)