Why walk with us?
We explore one of Australia’s most spectacular World Heritage Areas in the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park while trekking the world famous Overland Track. Each night is spent in the comfort of the only private hut accommodation along the trail. Our guides will prepare an inspired 3 course dinner each night while you sit back and relax with a glass of Tasmanian wine.
We’d like to invite you into this extraordinary environment, where through immersion and interpretation you can take away our sense of nature.
What we have to offer...
Our guides
Our Cradle Mountain Huts guides are often thought of as our most outstanding asset. They are passionate, educated, great interpreters and cooks all rolled into one. Feedback regarding our guides is invariably positive.
Walking independently can be very enjoyable but you can miss out on so much of the “inside information” along the way. Through the guides’ interpretation you can learn about the flora, fauna and local history. And rather than carrying and cooking all your food, what is more relaxing than sitting back at the end of the day while your guides cook up a 3 course feast which can be enjoyed with a selection of Tasmanian wine.
“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.” Michael April 2011
“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” Joyce March 2011
“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, tireless, caring, knowledgeable - so mature for their ages - took care of my blisters. Cannot give enough praise for them” Jo & Stefan March 2010
Safety
We want you to have the best possible walk and this involves having practices in place regarding safety management. The Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park is remote and we ensure our guides are trained in accident prevention and incident management. In the unlikely event that someone is injured (this can be as simple as a sprained ankle) all our guides are trained in first aid and carry appropriate communications to ensure that should it be required, help is only a call away.
Accommodation
True shelter, something that gives protection and refuge, simple and sustainable, clean and comfortable.
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 twin share accommodation.
There will be afternoon tea and time to relax and enjoy your surroundings before dinner is served. In the evening you are free to relax in the lounge area or take an early night and feel refreshed and revived in the morning
Operating the only private hut accommodation along the Overland Track is a great privilege and we take our responsibility toward the National Park & the natural environment very seriously. Operating in such a delicate environment, Cradle Mountain Huts places a great deal of importance on minimal impact track and hut practices and the huts are designed to be ecologically sustainable. Each hut is architecturally designed to maximize cross flow ventilation and operate with maximum efficiency with renewable energy.
The remote location of the huts demands that they are autonomous in terms of servicing; rain water is channelled off the roof into tanks and self-composting, water-free batching toilets are used. Phosphorous free soap is provided for guests and all waste water is separated through grease traps and sand filters and the residue is physically removed from site regularly, along with all other rubbish. Gas and solar are the only sources of power used for lighting, heating and cooking.
The provisioning of these huts ready for each operating season is a unique procedure, once again due to their remote location. Twice each season, supplies of food, wine and gas cylinders are flown in by helicopter over a two day period, while all garbage and waste matter is flown out. Nothing is left within the National Park.
“The standard and quality control you have to maintain, the huts were in such clean condition, despite the extreme remoteness the huts were functional and comfortable which is quite amazing” Phil February 2011
We pride ourselves on the food we prepare
Each night your guides will prepare scrumptious 3 course dinners which can be enjoyed with a selection of Tasmanian wine.
In the mornings wake up to the aroma of hot coffee brewing, freshly baked bread and a selection of cereals and porridge.
A buffet will be set out in the mornings for you to pack your own lunch box. The guides will be carrying some snacks for along the track, including trail mix, shortbreads and chocolate.
Upon arriving at the hut an afternoon tea is prepared. This could be freshly baked muffins or an antipasto platter.
We provision the huts twice per season with dry stores and the guides will carry through a limited amount of fresh produce.
Here is a sample of the dinner menu 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
“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” Margo February 2011
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