Itinerary
Cradle Mountain Walk, TAS (28 to 44 yrs)
3 days8 - 10 November 2009
WHAT YOU CARRY
The 3 Day Cradle Mountain Experience offers a series of day walks from our cabins. During the walks you will need to carry a small backpack. It needs to contain water bottles, warm and waterproof clothing, sunscreen, your camera and a snack that your guide may offer before departing the cabins. Your daypack needs to be at least 25-litre capacity and should not weigh more than 5-7 kg once packed.
ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR
Both nights of the 3 Day Cradle Mountain Experience will be accommodated at Black Jack Cabins. The cabins are ideally located on Cradle Mountain Road, just outside of the National Park boundary. The cabins are bunk style and are three and eight share with shared separate bathroom facilities. If you are travelling alone we will try to accommodate you with other people of the same sex, this usually sorts itself out naturally.
TRIP PREPARATIONS
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 poor fitting 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 kilometers 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.
GEAR LIST
What equipment we provide
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof over pants
- Sleeping Bag + Inner Sheet Gaiters
- All group and individual cooking and eating equipment (Cup, Bowl, Plate Utensils)
- A large all-weather tarp for lunch undercover if required.
- Group first aid kit for emergency use only
ITINERARY
Day 1 Distance approx 5km
Walking Time approx 3hrs
Launceston to Cradle Mountain
Today you will be picked up from your accommodation between 8.00 and 8.30am & transferred to a pre-departure briefing at The Arthouse Hostel in Launceston beginning at 8.30am. Your guides will present a general overview of the trip, conduct a gear check and provide the opportunity to hire/borrow any equipment/clothing that you may need. We will aim to depart at approx 9.30am, transferring to our cabins at Cradle Mountain which will take approximately 3 hours including a mid journey leg stretch in Sheffield - Tassie's town of murals. On arrival we will unload the bus and have lunch before setting off on an afternoon walk around the beautiful Dove Lake. During the walk your guides will take the time to introduce this beautiful area to you - the history of the region, its pioneers, the amazing prehistoric plant life and impressive views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake you will witness.
In the evening your guides will prepare a feast for you to enjoy as you relive the excitement of the day & prepare for our full day in the National Park tomorrow.
Day 2 Distance up to 12km
Walking Time up to 8hrs
Cradle Mountain
Today can be as challenging or as leisurely as you wish. Conditions permitting, your guides will offer you the opportunity to trek to the base of Cradle Mountain and to climb to its summit. The breathtaking 360 degree views on offer are a worthy reward for the effort required to reach the summit. En route you will encounter the beautiful Crater Falls and Crater Lake before tackling the steep trail up to Marion's Lookout. 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 well known 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 region provides a very special experience. Your guides will provide a packed lunch and plenty of snacks to keep your energy up whilst wandering throughout the day. When we return to our cabins you will be able to freshen up and relax while your guides prepare another hearty evening meal.
Day 3 Distance approx 5km
Walking Time approx 3hrs
Cradle Mountain to Launceston
This morning we will pack up our belongings, load the bus and enjoy a selection of morning walks including the King Billy Walk. This walk takes in some of the oldest trees in the world including an ancient King Billy that is between 1500 and 2000 years old. Our walking complete, we will share a picnic lunch at the National Park & check out the visitor centre. Travelling back to Launceston we will pass through the wonderful Tassie countryside with its rolling farmland and colonial style towns - arriving back at your accommodation at approx 5pm.
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