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3-Day Cradle Mountain Walking Expedition from Launceston

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3 Reviews

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Location: Launceston, Australia
Duration: 
                                3 days / 2 nights

Overview
Schedule
Pricing

Explore the lakes, rainforests and waterfalls of the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park. This three day trek will see you hiking through pine forest and alpine meadows, the highlight being an ascent of Cradle Mountain. This wilderness is one of the most spectacular in Tasmania, come and experience it today.

The beauty, the peace, the exhilaration - all the atmosphere of Cradle Mountain, a magnificent World Heritage area, is available on this excellent three day excursion. Carrying only a day pack, your days will be spent exploring the small lakes, waterfalls and rainforests of Cradle Valley.

Climb Cradle Mountain and wonder at the 360 degree panorama of Tasmania's highest mountains. As the last stage to the summit of Cradle Mountain is over rocky scree, and quite difficult, it is optional and weather dependant. Each night you will return to the simple but comfortable Waldheim Cabins within the National Park.

Highlights

Climb Cradle Mountain
2-nights accommodation in cabins
Includes use of Goretex rain jacket and waterproof overpants
Sleeping bag with inner sheet, National Park fees, all meals, bus transfers and secure storage for excess luggage

Recent Photos of this Tour

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3-Day Cradle Mountain Walking Expedition from Launceston

Dove Lake

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
On top of the summit!

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Liffey Falls

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Up to Marion's lookout

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Cabins

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Dove Lake

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Part Way up Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Devils at Cradle, Quoll

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Dove Lake

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009
Arthouse Hostel

Cradle Mountain three-day hike from Launceston, Tasmania.

Photo by: Anonymous
03 2009

What You Can Expect

3 Day Cradle Mountain Walking Expedition from Launceston

3-Day Cradle Mountain Trek includes 2 nights accommodation in cabins, Goretex rain jacket and waterproof overpants, sleeping bag with inner sheet, National Park fees, all meals, bus transfers and secure storage for excess luggage.

Day 1: Launceston / Cradle Mountain (L, D)
Meet at 8:30am for gear check and briefing. After a scenic drive to Cradle you spend the afternoon exploring the small lakes, waterfalls and rainforest of Cradle Valley. Visit the magnificent Ballroom Forest, a temperate forest of myrtle and pencil pine and walk beside the cool, silent waters of Lake Dove. The next two nights will be at simple but comfortable mountain cabins.

Walking: Half day

Overnight Accommodation: Black Jack cabins

Day 2: Cradle Mountain (B, L, D)
You walk toward the summit of Cradle Mountain via an ancient glacial cirque, now known as Crater Lake and return over Crater Peak and the Crater Plateau. The summit of Cradle Mountain is above 1500m, so the weather can be changeable as you walk across the button grass plains and alpine herb meadows. As you climb you can view the splendors of the rugged Tasmanian Highlands. The final leg over boulders to the summit is optional and quite challenging before returning to your cabin.

Walking: Full day (6-8 hours)

Overnight Accommodation: Black Jack cabins

Day 3: Cradle Mountain / Launceston (B, L)
After a leisurely morning there is time to inspect the Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre and take a stroll on some of the short but very scenic walks near the Centre. Today is your day to relax and absorb the atmosphere of this magnificent World Heritage area. You arrive back in Launceston about 5:00pm.

Walking: Half day

Customer Reviews

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CAROL MARIE M
USA

5 star rating: Highly Recommended March 2010

Tam was the best guide ever! She was very informative about plants and animals in the area and her enthusiastic passion for Cradle Mountain was evident. She was also a superb chef. The trip exceeded my expectations.

Jason D

5 star rating: Highly Recommended March 2009

This trip 'does exactly what is says on the tin'... and more, so read the product details carefully and what you read is what you get! If I were to sum up the 3 days in 3 words, I would say surprising, challenging and brilliant. Why surprising? I am an animal lover and so I was very happily surprised by how much wildlife we saw. I am talking about wild wombats, echidnas and wallabies that literally just went about their business (which was usually eating a tasty treat that they had found) and paid little or no attention to passers-by taking snapshot after snapshot of them. Why challenging? Do not underestimate the sections of the product details that states 'the last stage to the summit of Cradle Mountain is over rocky scree and is quite difficult'. Being fit would definitely be an advantage for this section, but the challenge for me at this part was not so much physical challenge as technical challenge. You will see the track disappear from in front of you and from there you have to negotiate and maneuver your way over boulders. There are pole markers in the rocks for you to follow, but really you make your way from one pole to the next wherever you can pick a way over the rocks. This is where I have to say having a guide for this walk was invaluable. Our guide was brilliant, calm and reassuring at all the right moments and helped us find our footing on the more 'tricky' parts, especially on the descent. And why brilliant? The landscape covered within the space of 3 days was so diverse, with wildlife and great food (cooked for you by your guide) thrown in as a bonus! We went from walking round Dove Lake with the ominous Cradle mountain looming in the background, to walking over open plains where you could see for miles, to strolling through rainforests and listening to the rush of waterfalls. Although I cannot honestly say I enjoyed the top section of the climb to the summit (I was 'freaking out' about keeping my footing so high up on difficult terrain!) I am still glad I did it. And since this part is optional I would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to friends and family who fancy a little taste of the outdoors with the home comforts of a cabin and a roaring fire to go back to each night. All in all, a fantastic break from the city which I would highly recommend!

Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.

Schedule Details

Departs

Departure point

Meet at 8:30am at The Arthouse Hostel, 20 Lindsay Street, Launceston for a trip briefing and gear check.

Departure time

8:30am

Duration

3 days / 2 nights

Return details

Tour concludes at approximately 5:00pm in Launceston on Day 3

Additional Info

Inclusions

Experienced Guide
2 nights cabin accommodation, share facilities
Sleeping Bag
Amenities-hot showers, toilets
Use of sleeping bags, wet weather clothing and gaiters
Meals as indicated in itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
National Park fees
Transfers to and from Launceston
Wet weather gear-windproof and waterproof rain jacket and overtrousers
Australia's Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Exclusions

Hotel pickup and drop off

Additional info

Confirmation for this tour will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
The maximum group size is 10 passengers on this hike, with 1 guide for every 5 passengers.
Trip Grading: Easy to Moderate Easy Walking - carrying only a day pack, 3 to 5 hours per day, some uphill, all on paths. Moderate Walking - carrying a backpack on some uphill terrain.
Weather: The itinerary should be seen as a guide only. Weather conditions normally remain stable over much of the summer, but it is important to note that weather can change rapidly in Tasmania, particularly in the highlands and as such, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances may cause the content of the trip to be altered or delayed. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount at all times.
Trip Prerequisites: Although the 3-Day Cradle Walk has easy bush walking and is suitable for first timers, it is suggested that you take regular light exercise in the weeks leading up to your expedition.
Health and Fitness Requirements: The trip requires you to be in reasonably good health.
Guides do have the ultimate say in whether or not a person is able to partake in an activity and if they feel that the person or other persons are put at risk, then they have the right to make alternative arrangements.
Gear List - What to Bring: We suggest that you have certain equipment with you to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Below is a list of clothing and basic equipment, designed as a guide to help you with packing.
Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Clothing

2 woollen/thermal shirts or pullovers
1 pair warm trousers e.g. track pants, not jeans
1 set of thermal underwear (thermal top is essential)
1 T-shirt or long sleeved cotton shirt
2 pair warm woolen socks
1 pair knee length gaiters (optional)
1 warm (wool or thermal) hat
Sun hat
Gloves or mittens (wool or thermal)
Comfortable warm clothing to wear in the evening around the cabin
Underwear
Pyjamas (optional)
Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Footwear

Sturdy boots or joggers are required. Although most of the tracks you'll be walking on are easy, some require footwear with ankle support and a robust sole.
Sandshoes to wear at night
Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Other Equipment

Daypack
Sleeping Bag
Lightweight torch (for animal spotting)
Camera and film
Towel and toiletries
Sunscreen and insect repellant
Water bottle (at least 750ml)
Small pillow (optional)
Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Top quality sleeping bags, backpacks and goretex jackets are available for hire at the start of your trip.

Please advise if you have any medical conditions
Please advise if you have any special dietary requirements
Children aged 9 years and under are not permitted on this trip
Adult pricing applies to all travelers

Voucher info

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Local operator information

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.