Trip Essentials
If you are unsure about anything in the lead up to your walk please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office or send us an email.
Frequently asked questions
Following are a few frequently asked questions about the Cradle Mountain Huts Overland Track Walk you may find useful.
How often do trips depart?
The 6-day trip departs daily and the 4-day trips depart on selected dates from 1 October through to 1 May.
Walk accommodation
Our groups have exclusive use of the only private hut accommodation along the Overland Track. Each hut has been discreetly located off the main trail and offers a hot shower, drying room and a dining and lounge area. The huts have 5 twin rooms with comfortable beds.
How many guests?
Each trip requires a minimum of four and a maximum of ten guests on each departure. All accommodation is twin share.
If the group is full, sharing is with another guest who may be male or female.
How fit do I need to be
As long as you exercise regularly and are capable of walking 10km for six days over varied terrain, you’ll be fine! Obviously there are steep sections; however, this is part of the whole experience. Each day there is plenty of time to sit and rest as well as exploring, so you won’t feel rushed. If you have any concerns about fitness please call and speak to one of our staff members.
How much weight do we carry?
Before the trip, the guides will carry out a thorough check to ensure you have suitable gear. Usually packs weigh between 8.5 - 9.5 kgs but ultimately your pack and contents can weigh as little as 7.5kgs.
What do we carry?
Each person must carry their lunch, wet weather gear, spare clothes for the hut, thermals, and warm clothing, plus any extras such as a camera. For detail please refer to the gear checklist below. If you are unable or would prefer not to carry your own backpack we may be able to provide a porter for an additional charge, please contact our office for details.
What style of boots should we have?
You will need lace-up boots with good ankle support and a treaded sole. Boots must be worn in to minimise the risk of blisters. Walking shoes, sandshoes and similar are not acceptable.
Do we need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend travel insurance. Consideration needs to be given to our cancellation policy, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc.
How many guides?
Two guides accompany each trip. This allows plenty of time for photos, rest and walking at your own pace.
How about food?
The guides prepare scrumptious three-course meals each night. We are quite happy to cater for special dietary requirements, we just need to know in advance.
For example, here is the dinner menu served at Kia Ora Hut on Day 4:
On arrival at hut:
Antipasto platter, including Ashgrove cloth matured cheddar, Lactos brie, Tasmanian pickled onions, pesto dip, dried apricots and cashews.
Entree:
Hearty minestrone soup
Main course:
Forest mushroom and pea risotto with parmesan
Dessert:
Freshly baked cherry pie with cream
What time does the trip commence and conclude?
The walk departs and returns to Quamby Estate 25 minutes west of Launceston. For guests staying in Launceston, there will be a shuttle bus departing from Peppers Seaport Hotel at 6.15am sharp. This allows an hour for a light breakfast, introductions and a gear check at Quamby before departing for the Cradle Mt -Lake St Clair National Park at 8.00am. At the conclusion of the walk, the group will arrive back at Quamby Estate at approximately 5.00pm. There will be a shuttle bus departing at 6.00pm which goes via the airport at approximately 6.30pm, arriving back at Peppers Seaport Hotel at about 6.45pm.
What accommodation options do we have pre-and post-walk?
Quamby Homestead 25 minutes west of Launceston is a great pre and post walk option, the Homestead is located on the same Estate as the walkers base so it is very convenient. To enquire about the special walker rate and check availability please call 03 6392 2211.
For those wishing to stay in Launceston our complimentary shuttle service departs from Peppers Seaport Hotel at 6.15am. Peppers have a special rate for people walking with us so make sure you mention this at time of booking. Bookings can be made directly with Peppers by phoning 03 6345 3333. Upon your return our shuttle can drop you at any hotel within the Launceston CBD.
There are many other accommodation options in Launceston, if you choose to stay somewhere other than Peppers prior to your walk please ensure you are ready for the pick up outside of Peppers reception at the designated time.
Please feel free to contact us if you require any further information.
CONTACT US
Call: (03) 6392 2211
Email: bookings@cradlehuts.com.au
Gear checklist
The items below will be packed into your 50 litre pack (provided) and carried by you. If followed correctly, the pack should weigh between 8.5 - 9.5kgs and could weigh as little as 7.5kgs.
Essential Gear List
- Lace-up walking boots must have ankle support and treaded soles. We can not over emphasise the importance of appropriate footwear. Walking shoes, sandshoes and similar are not acceptable and boots must be worn in - unfortunately you will be unable to commence the walk without the appropriate footwear.
- Polar fleece jacket (preferred) or woollen jumper
- Light jumper (warm)
- Beanie or balaclava
- Gloves or mittens
- Waterproof over-pants - nylon, PVC or Gore-tex
- Gaiters - long gaiters (just below the knee)
- Shorts &/or light walking trousers
- Thermal underwear - long-sleeved top and long johns. Two sets preferred
- Warm, long pants - evening hut wear
- Shirts/t-shirts - 2 recommended
- Socks - 4 pairs recommended
- Underwear
- Lightweight footwear - thongs/sports sandals for hut use
- Sun hat & sunscreen
- Travel towel or body chamois (light & quick to dry)
- Water bottle - at least 1 litre
DENIM CLOTHING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
Recommended Gear List
- Walking poles
- Camera & spare baterries if digital (there are no power outlets in the Huts for recharging batteries)
- Light weight foldable day pack (should pack down to pocket size, available for purchase at our walking base).
Optional Gear List
- Bathers
- Small torch
- Insect repellent (repellent and torches are provided in each hut)
- Small mirror (especially if you wear contact lenses),
Tip: Layering of clothing has long been the basis for dressing in the outdoors and the gear list above follows this principle. When the temperature drops, we add another layer of insulation; if it rains, we add a rainshell on top and when it’s warm and dry, we strip off layer.
**Pocket day packs, maps and track notes are available for purchase on the first morning of your walk.
Mountain Designs (120 Charles Street, Launceston, phone 03 6334 0988, email Launceston@mountaindesigns.com) offer Cradle Mountain Huts guests a 10% discount on purchases with presentation of this sheet. Many of our guides work at Mountain Designs so you can be assured of receiving the right advice about the equipment you need on the walk.
Mountain Bike Tasmania hire gaiters, over-pants and walking poles. All must be pre-booked prior to arrival you can email them enquiries@mountainbiketasmania.com.au or phone on 0447 712 638
A backpack, Gore-tex jacket, sleeping sheet and pillowcase are provided for the duration of the walk. They will be available for pick up during your gear check on the morning of departure. Bio-degradable liquid soap is at each hut and is suitable as a shampoo as well (we would appreciate it if you used our soap as it is phosphorus free).
Your comfort and enjoyment is of paramount importance to us and keeping your pack weight to a minimum is our intention. Aim for one set of warm clothes for evening and another set to wear whilst walking. Thermals are necessary due to their lightweight, quick-drying and warm properties.
Please note that guides will do a thorough gear check prior to departure. If you are unsure about anything on the gear list, Please call us or talk to your local outdoor adventure store.
Any luggage not required on your walk can be stored at our office.
Loading...