Trek the Cradle Mountain Overland Track

This trip is is a wilderness hike, best suited to experienced hikers who are comfortable with the prospect of multiple consecutive days of hiking in all conditions as it involves plenty of walking over varied terrain. Good footwear, clothing for all types of Tasmanian weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities and a packing list can be found in the trip notes. The total distance covered on this trip is approximately 65 km.

You will need to carry your own gear on this trek. Your pack may weigh up to around 15 kg. This includes a portion of the food for the trip and a share of a tent, which will weigh around 1.4 kg.

This is a camping trip, and you will be required to set up camp each night. Facilities are very basic (bush camping toilets, no showers).

PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING
A pre-departure meeting will take place at 3pm the day BEFORE departure at the Aspire Adventure Equipment store in the centre of Launceston – 136 York St. It is important that you bring your gear to this meeting as our team will check the suitability of your gear for the trek. Please note that if your leader deems your gear not suitable you will need to purchase missing items at this meeting. We will not be able to permit any hikers on the track with unsuitable gear. The welcome meeting and gear check will take around 90 minutes.

PACKING & GEAR HIRE
It is essential that you read the Packing List in our Essential Trip Information, and that you bring all necessary items. Backpack, rainwear and sleeping bag – all these items are essential for this trip and can be hired locally (additional cost applies, payable on the ground) if you do not wish to bring your own. Speak to your travel consultant if you need to hire any gear as items must be requested prior to travel. A full list of available items and their prices can be found in the Packing section in your trip notes. The tent and sleeping mats are provided for you.

START & END TIME
Pick-up in the morning of day 1 will be at 7:30am from at the Aspire Adventure Equipment store, 136 York St, Launceston. The trip will end with an arrival back into Launceston at around 4.30pm on the last day. Make sure you take this into consideration when booking onward travel.

CAMPING & CARRYING OF GEAR
This trip is a camping trip. You will be carrying your own tent (which we will provide) and will set up camp each night. Facilities are very basic. You will also need to carry your own gear on this trek. Expect the weight of your pack to be up to 15 kg. This includes a portion of the food for the trip, and a share of a tent which will be around 1.4 kg.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Solo travellers will have a single tent throughout the trip, while couples will share a tent. Please note that depending on the group make-up and the size of the camping platforms tents may be placed closely side by side.

MANDATORY PACKING LIST
- Sleeping bag - 3 seasons down or high quality synthetic, comfort rating -5 - needs to be around the size of a rugby ball or smaller
- Boots must be lace up, ankle high, leather or leather/fabric construction with a sturdy rubber sole. Ideally boots will have a waterproof lining or for full-leather have been waterproofed. They must be well worn in but not worn out.
- Back pack 70-90L with waterproof pack liner
- Rain jacket with storm hood attached. Must be seam sealed waterproof breathable fabric (Gore-Tex or equivalent 3 layer membrane). We recommend mid thigh length with full front zip opening which must have a storm flap.
- Waterproof over pants (Gore-Tex equivalent 3 layer membrane or PVC coated nylon)
- 2 Long sleeve thermal tops (wool or synthetic)
- 1 Long thermal pants (wool or synthetic)
- Walking socks - 3 pairs wool or thermal
- Warm / Waterproof gloves or mittens
- Wide brimmed sun hat with secure chin strap preferable
- Balaclava or warm beanie
- Waterproof nylon pack cover
- Good quality head torch with spare batteries
- Water bottles or water bladder - minimum 2 litres
- 2 Heavy weight garbage bags or dry bags for waterproof storage OR 1 good quality nylon pack liner (Sea to Summit equivalent)
- Gaiters - knee length essential for keeping mud from boots and leg protection
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal first aid kit with tape for treating and preventing blisters and any personal medication. All this should be Carried in a waterproof and knock proof container.
- Toilet paper – in a waterproof zip lock bag
We will supply the tent, a sleeping mat, a bowl, cup and cutlery for you. You do not have to bring these.
Please note: The above packing list is MANDATORY, please contact us if you have further questions.

RECOMMENDED ITEMS
- 1 medium weight/thick woolen/polar fleece jumper - must be wool or good quality synthetic fibre
- 2 T-shirts/Long sleeve shirts (must be wool or synthetics outdoor material - NO Cotton)
- Warm trousers - must be wool or synthetic fibre
- Walking trousers
- Walking shorts
- Underwear - wool or thermal
- Swimmers
- Light weight sandals or shoes for around camp
- Change of clothes for around the camp after the day’s hike
- Sunglasses with secure neck strap
- Small pack towel
- Personal toiletries (please do not bring soaps or shampoo)
- Insect repellent cream (please do not bring spray repellent)
- Extra zip lock bags for rubbish & sanitary items. Note that all rubbish will need to be taken out as composting toilets along the track aren’t suitable for disposal of anything non-organic
- Snacks and energy foods such as chocolate and jelly beans.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
- Camera
- Walking Poles
- Small packable day pack for those days when exploring from base camp - your full pack can be used for exploring as well
- 1 lightweight down or synthetic jacket or vest (Cooler trekking months of November/December and March/April)
- Book

WALKING BOOTS
Waterproof walking boots with full ankle support are necessary for walking trips. Make sure your footwear is well worn in and comfortable. We also recommend hiking socks with at least one spare pair, as you will find these minimise the chance of getting blisters. The key to preventing blisters and avoiding unnecessary pain is to eliminate friction.

GEAR HIRE
It is essential that you bring all necessary items. If you do not wish to bring them some items can be hired locally (additional cost applies), however they must be requested prior to travel. These items are available to hire on this trip:
- Rain Jacket (AUD $ 50.00)
- Water proof overpants (AUD $ 20.00)
- Backpackk with pack liner (AUD $ 50.00)
- Sleeping bag (AUD $ 50.00)
- Gaiters (AUD $ 30.00)
- Walking poles (AUD $ 20.00)

PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING
A pre-departure meeting will take place at 3pm the day BEFORE departure at the Aspire Adventure Equipment store in the centre of Launceston – 136 York St. It is important that you bring your gear to this meeting as our team will check the suitability of your gear for the trek. Please note that if your leader deems your gear not suitable you will need to purchase missing items at this meeting. We will not be able to permit any hikers on the track with unsuitable gear. The welcome meeting and gear check will take around 90 minutes.

LUGGAGE LIMIT
Please keep your luggage size and weight to a minimum, as you will be carrying your backpack yourself. 15kg is suggested maximum total weight. In addition to your personal items you will be carrying your share of the food and your tent.

LUGGAGE STORAGE
Your main or excess luggage can be stored in Launceston for the duration of the trip. Please let your booking agent know ahead of time if this is required. Alternatively please check with your accommodation in Launceston.

WEATHER
You will have to be prepared for all weather extremes as you will be walking at alpine altitudes. Be prepared for both wet and cold weather as well as hot days with a particularly strong sun in summer.

WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Water from streams along the way is safe to drink, although you may want to bring along some water purification tablets if you wish.

You’re in for a challenging walking trip and a good level of fitness is essential. We do ask you read through the trip notes carefully to ensure that this trip is the right fit for you. If you’re already exercising regularly, it might be an idea to up your game a little. Run those extra laps, or take few longer walks, ideally with a day pack on your back. If you’re not exercising regularly, it’s important you do so in the weeks leading up to your departure (4-6 weeks prior at least). Your best choice would be to start walking regularly 2-3 times a week including at least one longer walk (up to 15 km). It’s important to not only walk on flat surface, so if you cannot access hilly terrain easily, walking up and down stairs is a good replacement. Top that up with some general fitness exercises and any other cardio related classes and you will see a huge progress in your fitness levels.

Aspire Adventure Equipment, 136 York St, Launceston, AUSTRALIA

Alternate Joining Point

From Launceston Airport (airport code LST), your best option will be to take a taxi or an Uber from the airport directly to your chosen hotel in approximately 15 to 20 minutes (depending on traffic).

A pre-departure meeting will take place at 3pm the day BEFORE departure at the Aspire Adventure Equipment store in the centre of Launceston. It is important that you bring your gear to this meeting as our team will check the suitability of your gear for the trek. Pick-up in the morning of day 1 will be at 7:30am.

Launceston, , Launceston, AUSTRALIA

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 5

Lunches included: 6

Dinners included: 5

All meals are included on this trip and are prepared by your leader onsite. Breakfast is continental and will be taken in camp before setting off for the day. Lunches are picnic style and will be taken in a scenic location enroute. Dinners are a simple affair around at camp in the evenings. If you have any dietary requirements please advise your booking agents at the time you make your booking. Please also advise your leader at the time of the group meeting.

Tasmania will no doubt give us everything it has to offer. You need to be prepared for hot weather as well as cold and wet (maybe even on the same day). It is unpredictable especially in the alpine regions.

Tasmania has four distinct seasons with the warmest months being December to March. The average maximum daily summer temperatures are between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius and winter daily temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius.

Even in the peak of the Australian summer, Tasmania, being the most southerly point of the country, is subject to cold and wet weather from Antarctica. It can get very cold, particularly at higher elevations such as Cradle Mountain. Tasmania sits on a latitude of approximately 40 degrees south, which sometimes means the wind chill from the 'roaring 40's' can make the days very cold! Daily weather conditions in Tasmania can change very quickly from sunshine to rain. We suggest that you come prepared for all extremes, some light clothing for the sunshine and something a little more protective for the colder and possibly wet days.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

ALL general enquiry must be directed to our reservations team. In case of a GENUINE EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the day of departure ONLY, please contact our local Operations Team on the number listed below:

1300 133 278

This trip is a camping trip. You will be carrying your own tent (which we will provide) and will set up camp each night. Solo travellers will have a single tent throughout the trip, while couples will share a tent. Facilities are very basic. Camping spots have composting toilets, however there are no showers.