trekking in Tasmania

TREKKING IN TASMANIA

Leave only footprints & take only photographs

At 1.38 million hectares, the World Heritage Area is one of the largest and most important reserves. Natural values of international significance include extensively glaciated landscapes, pristine catchments, a profusion of threatened rare and endemic plants, a complex mosaic of vegetation - moorland, rainforest, alpine, eucalypt and riparian communities, undisturbed stands of millennia-old endemic pines, a collection of the world's largest carnivorous marsupials (Tasmanian devils and quolls), and two of the only three surviving species of monotremes - the most primitive group of mammals in the world (platypus and echidna).

In the mountainous heart of this amazing area, Cradle Huts has built five comfortable, well-appointed huts. Hidden in forest along the Overland Track, they are the only private huts allowed in the area.

We believe that it is a special privilege to operate in this delicate and immensely important environment, so we observe minimal-impact track and hut practices. We tread lightly and leave nothing and our huts are designed to be ecologically sustainable. Services are non-polluting and self-contained and we use careful waste management practices. This minimal-impact use of the wilderness means that the values of this fragile environment are preserved for the future, while enabling it to be enjoyed and understood now by a small number of people.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Following are a few frequently asked questions about the Cradle Mountain Huts 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.

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.

How much weight do we carry?

Before the trip, the guides will carry out a thorough check to ensure you have suitable gear. Ultimately your pack and contents can weigh as little as 7.5kg.

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. We will provide a gear list at time of booking.

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?

The complimentary shuttle service to our walking base at Quamby Estate (25 minutes west of Launceston) departs from Pepper's Seaport Hotel  at 6.15am.  Pepper's 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 Pepper's by phoning  03 6345 3333.  Upon your return our shuttle can drop you at any hotel within the Launceston CBD.

CONTACT US

Call: (03) 6392 2211
Email: bookings@cradlehuts.com.au