Travellers' Tales
We invite you to share your stories with us at Cradle Huts Travellers' Tales. We believe in travel that is personal and passionate, and hope that in taking a journey with us you will be transformed in some way, your life richer and deeper for the experience.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 13 Jan 2012
“The Walk” was our first foray into serious trekking.
We were very fortunate to have as guides the irrepressible Patrick and Will and to share with them and our wonderful fellow travelers great weather, unforgettable scenery and the challenge of being part of one of Australia’s great wilderness adventures.
Every aspect of the 6 days holds something special. There were times when the scenery stopped all of us in our tracks and the numerous photos that attempted to capture the moment unsurprisingly just couldn’t do it justice …….. and perhaps that is one more reason for us to return !!
Patrick and his brother Will provided insights into almost every aspect that we came across. Their thoughtfulness, great humour and attention to the varying capacities and needs of each traveller was genuine, gracious and much appreciated.
By providing such comfortable accommodation in wonderful settings, by taking care of meals and the many organisational elements, the guided walk freed us from any worry about such things and allowed us to just enjoy the experience to its fullest.
As if the walk built to a memorable climax, we are left with a still undiminished mental picture of a laughter filled final night, great food, great company watching members of our party entertaining us with a program of exotic interpretive dance, two even seeking to recreate the evolution of the hybrid tree.
That memory will hopefully be the only one that fades over time.
Thanks Patrick and Will, thanks to Cradle Mountain Huts and thanks to our fellow travelers.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 30 Jan 2012
I was one of an intrepid group of 10 walkers and 3 guides who set off into the Tasmanian wilderness on January 30. I'd brought the awful weather with me for the first day, but that is all part of the experience, and each succeeding day dawned better than the last. This was my very first long distance hike, and although I'd been training for many months and had read about the track, it really was a journey into the unknown for me. What I got was an incredible 6 days - wonderful sights, great views, great company, and good food and wine every day. Of course, some parts of the track are quite challenging, but that’s also part of the experience, and I look back on the walk with a great sense of achievement. I would have liked to have done the optional Mt Ossa climb (it was my birthday, after all), but I decided that will have to wait for another day – it was a bridge too far on this occasion. Six of our walkers did make the effort, and all were successful. The huts were excellent, and not at all what you would expect to find in such a remote location – a very welcome sight after a day of hiking. Our guides Gretel, Kinara and Shelly were an inspiration. They were always enthusiastic and obviously love their work – who wouldn’t with a workplace like that? Their knowledge of the landscape and environment, and their attention to detail, was excellent. And of course there was the wonderful food they prepared - even freshly baked bread. Thank you so much for allowing me to experience this World Heritage area. And I will be back, hopefully sooner rather than later - I have unfinished business with Mt Ossa.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 20 Jan 2012
I had heard from others that the walk was an enjoyable one and I went expecting a nice six day walk but did not place higher expectations on it than that. The whole thing far exceeded my expectations... The company of the 3 other couples was most enjoyable and the guides were especially wonderful. Grant and Anna were enthusiastic and had a true passion for the environment, they had excellent knowledge and were genuine in their enjoyment of the group of people they had under their 'care'. These two people were pivotal to making the whole thing loads of fun. Of course I found the walk to be incredibly well organised and 6 consecutive days of brilliant sunshine was also very easy to take!
I brought my travel tales and treasured memories back to rainy, gloomy Queensland!!!
Many thanks to you all especially to Grant and Anna.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 23 Jan 2012
What an amazing experience it was to walk through such pristine wilderness in 6 days of sunshine. The guides Emily, rob and trainee Jo were highly professional and a wealth of information regarding the local flora and fauna, and historical matters. The cabins were terrific and the food amazing,I loved not cooking for the week!.Most of all it was such incredible scenery and a joy to walk through with such a nice group of people. It was a challenging walk but I cant wait to do it again!!.It was that good!!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 15 Jan 2012
The magnificent varied scenery was illuminated by the knowledgeable commentary from our wonderful guides, Emily and Lachie, whose fun filled enthusiasm abounded, from encouraging us to sample alpine lake swimming each day, to creating delicious and varied food, to sharing their considerable skills with the guitar in the evening!
We cannot rave enough about the attention to detail evident from all staff involved in creating a superb holiday in this amazing landscape. Many thanks, Bruna & Simon Evans
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 06 Jan 2012
Great group of people to walk with.
Scenery stunning.
Guides Anna and Ben "first rate!"
Highly recommend.
Have walked/tramped extensively in NZ and OZ.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 09 Jan 2012
It was an awesome experience. I’d like to take a moment to share my feedback on the high standard of service offered by Andy, our guide. In short, he was fantastic.
Throughout the entire trip he demonstrated care, concern, humour, enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the mountain/the track, safety, timeliness/efficiency & thoughtfulness. Often, he went above and beyond any job description and helped make the trip a memorable and enjoyable.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 10 Dec 2011
Kim and Emily collected their multicultural charges and put out feet upon the Cradle Mountain track. Their patience, professionalism, knowledge and sense of fun ensured our experience was thoroughly satisfying and informative.
The whole operation from the guides, the accommodation, the food and wine, the wonderful hot showers, toasty drying room and cosy beds was amazing and I encourage any fit, adventurous person of any age to have a go.
I was amazed at the floral diversity but diappointed not to see the wombats that had left all those enticing little square pillows to tease me.
Thanks Cradle Huts, especially Emily and Kim
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 12 Jan 2012
to all at cradle huts we had a fantastic time. The guides Anna and Sam were incredible, there knowledge and enthusiasm for the job was there for all to see. My wife had a couple of issues with blisters and soreness of joints and Anna's patience and experience came to the fore to make the trip fantastic. We walked with a great bunch of people we know call friends and would recommend the experience to anyone. Thank you Cradle Huts. Brett and Bronwyn Thomas
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 28 Nov 2011
Saying I enjoyed the Overland Track would be an understatement. I had an absolutely amazing experience. I will never forget it. It was perfect from the food, accommodation, education from the guides.....who could ask for more. Your company has done a great job.
I would really like to commend our guides Grant and Harley who made the experience so memorable. They went the extra mile when it came to providing us with a magical walk in the Tasmanian wilderness. They were respectful, fun, knowledgeable and coNsiderate. I was very unwell one day. Harley was very supportive and caring. I will never forget his kindness.
Great job. I will certainly recommend Cradle Mountain Huts Walk to friends and family.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 23 Nov 2011
We were blessed with 5 good days so we had incredible views of the mountain vista and the visit to the waterfalls was breathtaking! Could not fault Cradle Mountain Huts... the operation runs extremely smoothly, huts are very comfortable, food and wine is good and our two guides Linton and Anna were exemplary, with their cheerful natures, their person handling skills, their thorough botanical knowledge and their culinary skills.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 23 Nov 2011
A wonderful wonderful experience. Our two guides Linton and Anna W. were exceptional, their knowledge of fauna and flora, first aid requirements, cooking skills and their humour was outstanding. The huts were first class and very comfortable. The food was good and the wine even better!! The weather was very kind to us, only one day of rain which made it impossible to climb Mt Ossa. Our last night in the huts proved to be hilarious, what a great way to finish off a first class walk. Thank you one and all.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 01 Nov 2011
What a wonderful experience it was to do the Overland Track with Cradle Huts. We did the walk 1st-6th November with Rob, Lachy and Lisa as our guides.
The walk itself was fantastic with the magnificent scenery and also the experience of being out in the wilderness with such a small number of people-it was all ours to enjoy. The meals were fabulous and we really appreciated the afternoon tea when we arrived at the hut after the days walk. The leadership and knowledge of our guides enhanced the whole experience. They were attune to our needs, compassionate in times of difficulty, had a fantastic sense of humour and were excellent chefs and hosts. Their knowledge of flora, fauna and geology were excellent.
Lisa, as a first time leader, was great as well, doing her share of the very hard work as a leader and joining in with all the fun we had.
We will be recommending Cradle Huts to anyone who is contemplating walking the Overland Track as a fantastic way to do it.
Thank you again for such a special experience.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 03 Oct 2011
We have recently returned from our Cradle Mountain Huts walk. We set off on Monday 3 October with Rob, Sam, and Bec as guides and had a fantastic time. We wanted to commend our guides for their efforts on our behalf. Nothing was too much trouble and their combined efforts and talents made the walk a special time for all. We are looking forward to doing the Bay of Fires walk sometime in the future as our Cradle Huts walk was such a great experience.
Thank you to all and especially our guides.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 15 Mar 2011
I had the great experience of completing the six day walk with a group of fellow West Australians in March this year. We brought perfect weather with us and our guides Tonia and Sam were absolutely outstanding. To see you win Gourmet Traveller's "Best Adventure Tourism Award" does not surprise me at all as our treck was truly one of life's great experiences. Organisation, facilities, care, outstanding. Congratulations! I meant to make one small suggestion when we completed our walk, but forgot to do so. Your "what to carry list" was excellent however perhaps you could consider adding four handkerchiefs to the list. It would save people bringing tissues which must be disposed of as rubbish , they could be easily washed and dried after use, and could also be used in a medical emergency situation. Just a thought! We have had no trouble recommending you to our friends several of whom have you on their list.
It was interesting when we all went out to dinner in Launceston on the evening that we finished the walk. Someone said "can anyone find a fault or criticise anything about the whole six days". Silence ensued. We could not find a single fault.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 13 Apr 2011
Dear Ros and all Cradle Hut staff: I chose our hike in the Cradle Mountains to celebrate my 75th birthday. After a lifetime of climbing and hiking, it seemed appropriate to be on the trail on my birthday. What a great choice! My husband and I were greatly impressed with the organization and attention to every detail of our trip. You are all wizards at making us feel welcome and appreciated. The greatest thanks go to our two guides, Tonia and Emily. They are amazing young women and I treasure the time we had with them over those six days. I knew my 75th birthday would be special, but little did I know that they would organize a costume party, a huge chocolate cake, and a very impressive birthday card on our last night as their way of saying Happy Birthday. Our Cradle Hut trek experience will be impossible to beat. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 17 Apr 2011
A wonderful trek. Initial apprehension about the famous Tassie weather evaporated into glorious sunshine, magnificent views, great company and delicious meals. Highlights would have been the summits of Cradle & Ossa, plus all the fantastic side trips conjured up by Hannah and John. Best guides!! The weather on the last two days turned typically Tasmanian, however this only provided the contrast, so that we could experience all the wonders of the Park. Thank you to Christophe (the other trekker) and our guides, Hannah and John. You all helped make a remarkable journey.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 24 Apr 2011
We had a great walk, perfect weather for my photography and topped off by two really excellent guides; James and Polly.
Each of our party felt a sense of real achievement in completing the journey. This was Jill's and my third time and it was just as interesting as the first, sixteen years ago.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 07 Apr 2011
Hiking the 'Overland' proved to be as close to heaven as you can expect to experience. As beautiful as the NZ Fiordland hikes are, it is clear that the miracles displayed in Tasmanias high country outshine all contenders. Thanks to our guides Mim, Kate and Alex's passion for witnessing and appreciating the ever changing mountainous environment we were taken on a journey that excited all our senses. The freezing cold swim in Crater Lake, the vision splendour of Cradle Mountain with Barn Bluff bursting into clouds of fire in the evening sky. Waterfalls fed by heavy overnight rain and the struggle through waste deep mud before climbing Mt Oakleigh were a precursor to the joy of seeing the vivid spectrum of colour painted to form a double rainbow across the darkened valley below Mt Ossa. Laughter accompanied us all the way as we hugged Tassy Oaks, savoured the aromas of sweet smelling native plants and got high on the the blue, yellow, red and orange mushrooms lining the sides of the track. The comfort of a hot shower and knowing your clothes would be dry in the morning were only surpassed by experiencing the guides hospitality as they served up the tasty evening meals accompanied with beverages fit for royalty. Thankyou Cradle Huts for restricting the damaging footprint we hikers make on the track and it therfore begs the question, when can this 64 year old return to the 'Overland'?
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 11 Apr 2011
We set out with our two friends and six soon to be friends along with our amiable guides, Alan and Polly on a six day adventure.There was a cold wind blowing at Ronny Creek carpark but the climb to Marion's Lookout soon warmed us up. On the way to Waterfall Valley there were stunning displays of Fagus in Autumn colors. Fortunately the weather held out and we were all able to complete the climb to the summit of Mt Ossa. The clouds parted briefly so we were able to see the three peaks of Barn Bluff, Cradle Mountain and Mt Oakleigh.We had glorious sunshine for the last two days and the final walk across the buttongrass plains afforded us spectacular views of the ranges surrounding Lake St Clair.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 28 Mar 2011
We really enjoyed the adventure, which was made all the better by Rob and Harley.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 06 Apr 2011
“Our group consisted of 8 guests and two guides, Adrian and Evelyn. We enjoyed the best weather and on day one had lunch on the plateau besides a stream in the most idyllic conditions. It was one of those days which you wish would never end. Over the six day walk we achieved many sidewalks including climbing Mt Oakleigh and Mt Pelion East which provided spectacular views as well as some individual personal challenges. In the evenings the group shared some fantastic stories and many laughs over fine food and wine.”
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 24 Mar 2011
We all thoroughly enjoyed the Overland trail and I would like to make a special note of our guides Alan and Fiona. These two showed such consideration and leadership throughout the 6 day hike, and although we understand that Fiona is a relative newcomer to your company, we were impressed in the way that the two of them blended together to make a team, both on the track and in the huts wearing their “domestic” hats. Their knowledge of the Flora and Fauna, the local geography, and their care of the environment was impressive.
Please convey these thoughts to them and let them know how much we valued their company.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 15 Mar 2011
A group of 10 from Perth walked the Overland Track from the 15th to the 20th of March, with guides Tonia and Sam.
The group was assembled by native Tasmanian legal eagle Bill Groves, for moral support in his third attempt to reach the top of Mt Ossa.
We had amazing weather: clear, bright and sunny most of the time.
Bill Groves achieved his ambition, and the rest of wondered what had taken him so long.
This was a wonderful walk, made even better by the diligence and attentiveness of our guides.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 28 Feb 2011
What an experience! We had it all, beautiful sunshine, wind, rain, blizzards, sleet and snow.
Amazing walking in the beauty of the Tasmanian Wilderness. Our guides Patrick and Paul were quiet achievers making sure we were always being looked after with 10 out of 10 care.
Our group was wonderful, great companions, always plenty of laughter and lots of fun.
We were thrilled with our effort and were happy with achieving our task of walking the Overland Track.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 22 Feb 2011
What memories! This trip exceeded our expectations in so many ways. Your company offered us an opportunity to walk and appreciate this unique and spectacular scenery in relative comfort. Quite an achievment! We want to especially commend Rob and Lachy for their knowledge, assistance and sense of humor. They made the trip so special, along with our cheerful fellow walkers, of course.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 20 Feb 2011
We had a wonderful time walking with your company. From start to finish we found the experience to be efficient, informative and considerate. We particularly enjoyed our walk in the good care of John, James and Harley (trainee). They were very professional, informative, considerate and attentive to small details that made a great difference to the enjoyment of the walk. Above all, they were great fun. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and hope you’ll convey our best wishes to them.
We’ll be back to do the Bay of Fires next!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 23 Feb 2011
Just returned from the Cradle Mountain trek. What a fantastic experience and many thanks to cradle Mountain Huts for organising such a great adventure. Our guides, Will, Kinara and Jen were just terrific and worked hard to make our experience so enjoyable. How they seemed to enjoy swimming in freezing water I just don’t know!
To be able to spend six days walking through pristine rain forest and in a completely natural environment was just amazing. Climbing Mount Ossa was also a thrill and viewing this beautiful wilderness through 360〫from the top was in many ways a privilege.
We were fortunate that everyone in our group seemed to get along really well making evenings in the hut humorous, fun and with such great camaraderie an enjoyable time. Our food was delicious, weather was generally excellent and the company stimulating. Thank you all for a great adventure!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 27 Feb 2011
I’ve landed back home after a wonderful holiday in Tasmania with friends. We walked the Overland Track from Sun 27 Feb – Fri 04 Mar with Mim, Emily and Nick. What a fabulous time we had, and having chatted with the Public Hut & Camping walkers, can strongly vouch that the trip was money well spent.
What an asset Mim is to your team – her unflagging enthusiasm and dazzling smile, all the whilst ensuring we were okay, is amazing. If all Guides demonstrate that level of commitment, then the company is truly fortunate to have such a wonderful team. She knew all the landmarks, and instilled a sense of awe at the remarkable environment we travelled through.
Big congrats to Emily for completing her first guiding trip – she seemed to follow Mims high standards with ease, and I’m sure she’ll be a valuable guide.
Nick’s gentle humour and great botanical knowledge ensued we had fun and picked up a few botanical facts along the way – even if the Latin got lost in the translation of ‘Chinese Whispers’ – a delightfully amusing part of the trip.
And what’s not to rave about the food (and wine). Particularly Mims chocolate cake and the fun spirit of Russells 40th b’day cake night, and the ‘dress for dinner’ last night on the track.
We’re a very happy group of Overland Track-ers, and will be recommending Cradle Huts to all.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 18 Jan 2011
Thanks to all at Cradlehuts for everything with special mention to John and Lockie who are a credit to the company (as you all are) Cheers, Margot McDonald
OVERLAND TRACK
CRADLE MOUNTAIN TO LAKE ST. CLAIR
On 18th January 2011 loaded up with a 11 kg. backpack, travelling with two Sue's, friends of 46 years, and in a group of 9 other people, I set off on an amazing 6 day adventure walking through some of the most diverse, magnificent regions in the world.
No, I did not have to sleep in a tent or eat dehydrated food but elected instead to go with a company called Cradle Huts who supplied two young men as our very informative guides as well as being excellent cooks, very considerate and lots of fun. Private cabins and muffins or scones, jam and cream, plunger coffee or a pot of tea awaited us every afternoon on our arrival. A three course meal accompanied by Tasmanian wines saw us through the evenings and on waking next morning a variety of breakfast cereals including freshly cooked porridge, homemade yoghurt, fruit and thick slices of toast baked the previous evening were the energy boosters we needed to get through the day.
At times I felt as though I was Frodo in "Lord of the Rings" walking to some great destiny, at other times I felt as though I was in fairyland. We walked on boardwalks, we hauled ourselves up mountains, we trudged through muddy bogs, we very carefully stepped over slippery tree roots, we clambered over stones we walked in sun, rain, hail, thunder, lightning, mist and cloud. My legs ached for the first couple of days, my boots were permanently wet, my senses were working overtime, I hugged trees and I loved every minute of it. I thank my God for the beauty, the peace, the quiet, the majesty of Tasmania and for the opportunity of having the freedom to be part of it
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 29 Jan 2011
I cannot speak highly enough of the talents and character of our guides Jen Andrew & Erica Davey. I felt perfectly secure and spoilt by their hospitality and culinary delights. Nothing was too much, whether to be patient while someone caught their breath or took a photo, to bandaging a sore ankle or to allow the group to climb Mt Osso as far as they safely could go considering the conditions. The standard and quality control you have to maintain, the huts were in such clean condition, dispite the extreme remoteness the huts were functional and comfortable which is quite amazing.
Overall the scenery was magic and the guides are a credit to the tassie tourist industry.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 18 Jan 2011
Hello Ros,
Thanks for the follow up e mail!
You must get a stack of photos showing similar views, here's something I hope is a bit different.
Stephanie and I had a wonderful time. We were very lucky with the weather. Five out of 6 dry days! The elements threw a bit at us on day 4 though. Here's an interesting snapshot of us having just left the Pelion Gap. The white dots in the photo are actually the hailstones bouncing about.
We were all quite safe under the guidance of John Braid and Lachy Taylor whose combined knowledge was encyclopaedic.
Best wishes
Richard Spencer
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 15 Jan 2011
From Patmos Greece to the Overland Track. The 6 day Overland Track walk with Cradle Mountain Hunts was an outstanding experience equaled by the versatility, knowledge, expertise and hospitality of the two guides Robert and James. We were blessed with 6 days of beautiful weather and a great group of gregarious walkers.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 19 Nov 2010
Hilary, Natalie and Rob expertly guided us along the OT providing an unforgettable experience. Beautiful sunny weather to start meant swimming for some, lunch in shorts and shirt on Mt. Ossa with Wedgetail Eagles soaring above and dinner on the deck at Pine Forest Moor Hut . Hilary ordered up a thunder storm in the rain forest approaching Windy Ridge Hut. Great wine and food, amazing scenery and wonderful company made the hard work a pleasure.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 16 Oct 2010
What an amazing week! The blizzard on day 1 only adding to the sense of acheivement as we waited under perfect blue skies for the ferry on day 6. A stunning and diverse walk made even more memorable by the fun and sense of humour in our small group. Thanks!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 16 Oct 2010
Exciting weather of fresh snow falls, strong winds, rain and loads of water on the ground made our initial days challenging but so exciting, memorable and absolutely beautiful....Knowing you are safe and supported by the knowledge and expertise of the guides made any task easier........I have left this most beautiful place just wanting more and imprinted me with moments that will last a lifetime....
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 24 Apr 2010
I first visited Cradle Mountain some 55 years ago and fell in love with this wilderness area. I had always wanted to walk the OT but realised that I could not carry a pack for six days - solution Cradle Huts.
The walk is quite fantastic, the care provided by our guides beyond the call of duty, the food and wine fantastic, all in all I will have these wonderful memories with me for the rest of my life. Highly recommend!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 17 Mar 2010
I will be eternally grateful that Cradle Mountain Huts provides a service where a princess like me can enjoy all the beauty that the Overland Track has to offer. It was a challenging walk, made so much easier with the comforting knowledge of a hot shower at the end of the day. I enjoyed the experience so much more than I thought I would, and that is saying a lot. One thing the preparation kits don't mention is that there are drying rooms in each hut, so if you are wearing quickdry clothes, you can wash and dry each night. Thanks to our guides Gemma and Nick who were fantastic!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 30 Mar 2010
I think the attached photos sum up the hike...rare indeed!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 08 Mar 2010
We hoped this walk would be special, and it was, and more. Aside from the beautiful and inspiring natural scenes we were part of for 6 days, this walk brought to life the stories of some of the people who pioneered trekking and living in this region. We appreciated their toughness enduring without the modern comforts we enjoyed. This trip also gave us a really enjoyable connection to 8 new friends. We were proud to reach the top of Mt Ossa as a group, with everyone making it. We can't praise our guides John and Nick enough for their humour, interesting conversation, and unflagging patience and hard work. The food was great and complemented those nightly glasses of Tassie wine we all enjoyed so much! Well done Anthology, John and Nick.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 08 Mar 2010
I close my eyes....& the memories of an awesome week come flooding back....I can see the mountains, the trees, those red & purple berries dangling on a thread, the shifting sky & the waterfalls...if I try harder I can hear those waterfalls & I can certainly smell the rain forest. Guided by two amazing young men John & NIck, we were taken on a 6 day journey awakening all our senses & leading us all into our own personal experiences. These two young lads (mature beyond their years) along with a fabulous group of people were the key reason behind an unforgettable trip & we certainly felt we were treated to the "best of the best". Anthology though must be congratulated for the obvious touches it brings to the experience beginning the moment you enter Quamby to "sort your gear" to the moment when you finish there to once again "sort your gear" & share in that last mouthful of food & drop of champagne, ensuring that the experience flows right to the very end. This certainly won't be my last walk across the overland with Anthology.
PS: Try closing your eyes sometime!!!!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 08 Mar 2010
My husband and I just had the most wonderful week on the Cradle Huts walk. Can't say enough about how well looked after we were in all aspects of the walk with guides John and Nick. Add we too put on weight despite 5 days treking! Made lots of new friends from the wonderful group of fellow travellers and we all got up Mt Ossa on a spectacular day - well worth the effort and with help from our wonderful guides. Thank you Cradle Huts group for a fantastic and memorable week!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 01 Feb 2010
We just wanted to reiterate our pleasure at doing to Overland Track. We have done many walks here in New Zealand where we are still vacationing, The Routeburn, The Milford and more. But we have never had such wonderful guides as Anna and Tom - they were enthusiastic, tirerless, caring, knowledgable - so mature for their ages - took care of my blisters. Cannot give enough praise for them. Here is a photo of Anna on the left jumping in the river while we
were waiting for the boat to pick us up.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 18 Feb 2010
Hi
I just wanted to send a note of appreciation regarding the walk I did with 9 other ladies from 18/2/10 – 23/2/10, known as the “Gaiter Girls”.
Our guides were John Braid and Kinara Cullen.
We had a wonderful trip which was due to the amazing scenery, flora and fauna of the area. However the trip was made FANTASTIC by the superb job that our guides did to look after our every need. They were amazing in all elements of the trip including leading, educating, safety, cooking and cleaning. Both John and Kinarra displayed an enormous amount of maturity and professionalism, (way beyond their years) in the way they managed the group’s wellbeing at all times. They did this with a great sense of fun and passion for their job and the beautiful Tasmanian environment.
We loved many of the meals and wondered if any of the recipes are available?
I have no hesitation in recommending this trip and your organisation to friends and family and have already started to do so.
Kind regards
Anna Mezger
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 04 Feb 2010
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 23 Nov 2009
The walk was AMAZING! Mum and I had a fantastic group and two very knowledgeable guides Arana amd Laura who made every bit of it enjoyable!
The walk was my 13th birthdy present and a what a great present it was. Knowing that something as pristine and untouched is in my backyard makes me feel very lucky.You can't find places like this in many other parts of Australia.
To wake up every morning to a breakfast feast and fresh morning air is a great mind clearer.You do get tired but no pain means no gain i suppose!
Being permantely away from technology for 6 days is... great, you may think that you would miss some important email or phone call but once you let nature absorb you everything can wait! This experience is (i think) life changing and gives you a different positive aspect to our natural world. Cheers Meredith
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 06 Jan 2010
This trip was brilliant. The guides (Emma and Tom) were great and the organisation was superb.
Congratulations to all concerned.
It was great value for money and we would definitely do it again
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 02 Jan 2010
I just wish to inform you what an outstanding, positive experience it was for to participate in a Cradle Hut Trek of the Overland Trail from 2nd Jan to 7th Jan, with Linton & Hannah as our guides.
A good friend had organised our party of 10. It has always been an ambition for me to walk in the Tasmanian environment which is so foreign to the dry country we have in SA (I annually spend a week in the Flinders Ranges). This aspect of the trek I was overwhelmed with the continual Wow! or “Magic” moments eg when the mist lifted to reveal we were walking along side the a cliff face of Cradle Mountain.
Your company is to be complimented on its selection and training of all personnel I came into contact with. They were friendly, polite, helpful, punctual and knowledgeable. From Des, Bruce & Graham the bus drivers, to Melody whom we met on the last day, through to Narelle who I also met on the last day and whom I have corresponded with on email.
I cannot speak highly enough of the talents and character of our guides Hannah & Linton. I felt perfectly secure in this foreign environment besides being absolutely spoilt by their hospitality and culinary delights. Nothing was too much, whether to be patient while someone caught their breath or took a photo, to bandaging a sore ankle or to allow the group to climb Mt Osso as far as they safely could go considering the conditions. They shared some of their personal background with the group so that we all became one but never going past that point of uncomfortable familiarity. The fact that they were so open to taking on a vision impaired person with his guide dog says much for their sense of challenge and ability to cope in any situation. Also the comradery amongst the members of our group, who originally were just acquaintances, became another highlight, thanks to the catalytic personalities of Linton & Hannah, so much so that laughter became another highlight of the trek for me. As one member remarked at the end of the trip, “Linton & Hannah are a credit to the human race”.
I could tell you much more "but what goes down on the trail stays on the trail"
The standard of quality control you have to maintain the huts in such clean, functional and comfortable state is exceptional considering their extreme remoteness and their daily use, it is quite amazing.
So for me, thanks to your organisation and personnel, this truly was “One Walk Many Journeys”. Often I go back over the 500 photos I took (yet to receive the other 3000 photos taken by the other members) and recall the pleasant experience or just delight in visualising what we did, when and where on the 6 day trek.
Simply put – “Thankyou”
Maybe in the future the Bay of Fires will beckon me back or even after a while the Overland Trail again.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 15 Dec 2009
How can anyone trek 6 days and put on a kilo? By eating the fantastic food cooked by our brilliant guides - Rob and Laura. This trip was truly memorable thanks to the organisation and expertise of everyone behind it. We saw Cradle Mt bathed in sunshine and brilliant blue sky and then the rain arrived on Day 3/4. We loved it as then we got to wear half our gear instead of carrying it on our back. We had to 'imagine' what Mt Ossa looked liked due to the cloud and rain, so on we walked. The rain was a blessing as the waterfalls were thundering when we got to see them, but watch out for leeches after the rain - they latch on to you in all sorts of interesting places! To see an echidna fossick for ants in the wilderness is 'silencing'. I can't wait to do this trip all over again. (And Tassie really does have the best cherries).
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 30 Nov 2009
I would like to thank both Anne and Jess for their guidance during the walk. It was a great experience and one I would thoroughly recommended to everybody.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 20 Nov 2009
Just wanted to say a big Thank you to Maya and Rob for making our overland trip so great. I have done a few different trekking trips and this one more than met my expectations. Rob and Maya were both very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and very accommodating in every aspect of our journey.
You kindly gave us a beginning of trek photo and I think the smiles in this reflect how we all felt at the end.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 16 Oct 2009
Our amazingly wonderful guides James and Maya led us through the most pristine landscapes I have ever experienced. We sloshed through mud, climbed Mt Ossa in knee deep snow, and swam in crystal clear rivers and icy lakes. Not only that, we ate like kings and slept like babies in warm comfy beds each night.
Our fabulous Guides' knowledge of the local flora, fauna and history in addition to their incredible culinary skills, made our experience of the Overland Track truly unforgettable. I can't wait to go back and do it all again.
Emma.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 25 Dec 2008
Cradle Christmas
I left behind the madding crowds with some trepidation—would I be able to keep up? would I get blisters? would there be decent coffee? (yes, yes and yes).
Nature was overwhelming in her beauty and diversity. On Day 2 we had to ban the word ‘awesome’ and dig deep for worthy superlatives.
A 6-foot smiling angel called Melody bandaged my blisters, padded my pointy bits and baked the best bread.
And all the way we dined like kings, slept like logs, laughed like clowns and sang like… well, ask the ranger.
Christmas in the city? Never again.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 05 Feb 2009
Rob, Mike & Liz
Just wanted to say thanks guys for a great trip. Will always remember the beautiful landscape, wildlife & fauna, seeing it through your eyes made it much more enjoyable. Your tireless energy in walking all day and preparing meals for the group was very much appreciated. I certainly have learnt a lot more about Tasmania. Your great humour and story telling made it a trip to remember. Cheryl
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 05 Dec 2008
This is a copy of email sent to our guides following our most enjoyable Overland track experience.
The Company should be very proud of these young people,and treasure their skills and competence.In addition,we were thoroughly pleased with the whole operation,from pick-up in Launceston to our last luxurious night at Quamby.
dear Rosie and Mike,
belated but sincere thanks for your input into the trip we did with you in December;the efforts of you both made so much of a difference to our enjoyment of the trip;we know that it is "your job" but it would seem that you give over and above what might be expected as reasonable attempts to get the job done;we think that we had a very amiable and cohesive group,but all that might have been insignificant in our overall experience if not for the part you both played;you should both be very proud of yourselves.
best wishes
Bernie and Robyn Moore
A Tale from... Walking at Cradle Mountain - 27 Dec 1994
As a girl who'd grown up on the red quilted earth of North West Tas with Dial Range precipitous drop my panoramic view on waking, I was comfortable with silence, the sound of rain and the call of the cows.
With my nerves on edge adjusting to life in the city, I scooped my kids (9 & 5yrs)into the car and onto the ferry leaving my husband to his idea of quiet time.
The next morning I was amazed to find I was at Cradle Mt, a destination of ol' Sunday arvo drives within 30 mins of docking - a fairly relaxing exit from city stresses. As my daughter at 5yrs wasn't into walking, I imagined we'd fossick around the lodge and Dove Lake. (She was actually happy to stay in our accom and watch the unpeturbed wallabies and potaroos foraging outside.)
At dinner in The Lodge that evening we met a family with a 3 yr old who were trekking overland!
The next day we set off with backpacks loaded with chocolate, rainjackets and water and my reluctant daughter while my son was in expedition mode! We scrambled and walked - overtaken by the hikers and their three year old - to find the ascent of Cradle a struggle in squalls. Big slabs of rock like Stonehenge made a good shelter for my relieved daughter. My son and I pressed on only to be met by hikers descending who warned us of the force of winds on top.
Concerned about restraining the intrepid 9 yr old while his sister waited in the wilderness, we headed down.
On the next beautiful sunshiny day, we enjoyed a view of the plateau from the cabin of a light aircraft while my beautiful daughter who'd come a long way from the city watched the wallabies through the window of the logcabin. But then she's a city girl!
***
15 yrs on planning bayoffires ALONE!!!!!!
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 27 Oct 2007
Our team of guides, ably lead by Katie were an absolute pleasure to be with for the 6 days. They restored your faith in the ability of our young people to go out and do their very best.
Katie supplied us with superior leadership. Her passion for the “track” and the Tasmanian Wilderness comes through loud and clear. I must admit I was probably an uncommitted city slicker until I met Katie and saw firsthand the pure emotion for the cause in saving the wilderness. Katie’s huge work ethic and skill in leading Hannah, Cameron and the rest of us was an absolute pleasure to see. Her sheer delight in testing us with brainteasers and games we have not played in many years will stay with me as a lasting memory of a fabulous journey.
A Tale from... Cradle Mountain Huts 6 day walk - 25 Dec 2007
I just wanted to write and tell you that we had a great walk. Indeed I count it as one of the best experiences of my life. I won't go on about this, but feel that it is a magical place and without the 'supported model' (no tent or food carrying, with the luxury of hot showers, comfy beds and great food) it would not have been possible for me to experience the wonder of Cradle Mountain and the rest.
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