Cradle Mountain Experience, Tasmania

For SINGLE WALKERS 30 to 49 Years
Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 November 2010 (5 days)

Itinerary

WHAT YOU CARRY
The 4 Day Cradle Mountain Experience offers a series of day walks from the 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
Arrive at Launceston for a hotel night of stay before your walk starts the next day. Both nights of the 4 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

Equipment that is provided:

• 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
  

What clothes you need to bring:
Woollen or polar fleece(2), Thermal tops, Thermal pants, T- shirts (3), Warm trousers, Walking trousers, Walking shorts, Walking socks (3), Gloves, Sunhat, Beanie, Underwear, Boots/shoes for walking, Shoes or sandals.

What other items you need to bring:
Daypack, Torch, Sunglasses, Water bottles, Towel, Insect repellent, Sun Screen, First Aid kit, Camera and film, Binoculars, Book/Maps

ITINERARY 

Pre-Walk Night: Arrive Launceston
Walking Distance approx. 10km
Walking Time approx. 5 - 7 hrs

Arrive to Launceston at your leisure. Hotel check-in is from 12 midday.  Today is not hosted but the evening provides the opportunity for a pre walk group dinner. Tonight, for those interested, we suggest meeting at the reception area of the Old Bakery Inn at 6pm to enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant/pub at your own expense.

Day 1 Launceston to Cradle Mountain via Liffey Falls
Walking Distance approx. 8 km
Walking Time approx. 3 - 4 hrs

Today you will be picked up from the Old Bakery Inn between 8.00am 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 Launceston at approx 9.30am, transferring to the World Heritage listed Liffey Falls State Reserve approx 1 hours drive away. Here we will spend the morning walking through cool temperate rainforest and marvel at the spectacular waterfalls before making our way to King Solomon & Marakoopa Caves in the world heritage listed Mole Creek Karst National Park for a picnic lunch and a 40 minute guided cave tour.

In the afternoon we will make our way to our private cabin accommodation (Black Jack Cabins) near Cradle Mountain National Park. Along the way we detour via the stunning Devils Gullet lookout to admire the side on views of the Overland Track and Tasmania's highest peaks, on an easy 30 minute return walk.

In the evening your guides will prepare a delicious evening meal for you to enjoy as you relive the excitement of the day, continue to get to know one another and prepare for our full day in the National Park tomorrow. MEALS: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Walking within Cradle Mountain National Park 
Walking Distance approx. 10km
Walking Time approx. 5 - 7 hrs

This morning we drive the short distance from our accommodation to Cradle Mountain National Park (approx 20 mins). We set off on a morning walk around the beautiful Dove Lake. During the walk your guides will take the time to introduce this spectacular 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. We will enjoy a picnic lunch & the opportunity to explore the Visitors Centre before enjoying an afternoon walk on the little known Dove Canyon Circuit Track. This evening we will visit the "Devils @ Cradle" Conservation Facility (www.devilsatcradle.com) where we will gain an interesting insight into this famous little creature including the ‘Facial Tumour Disease' that is threatening its survival in the wild. We will once again stay at Black Jack Cabins overnight. MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Walking within Cradle Mountain National Park 
Walking Distance approx. 12km
Walking Time approx. 6-8 hrs

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.MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Cradle Mountain National Park to Launceston
Walking distance 7km
Walking time 4 hrs
This morning we will pack up our belongings, load the bus and travel approximately 30 minutes to the Vale of Belvoir Conservation Area. Our 3 - 4 hour walk takes place along the final stage of the 76km Penguin to Cradle Trail, following the Vale River before making our way through majestic Pandani Groves & Myrtle Forests to Cradle Mountain. The bus will be waiting at the end of the track to take us to lunch before making our way back to Launceston via the wonderful Tassie countryside with its rolling farmland and colonial style towns - we will drop you off at your accommodation at approx 5pm.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.

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