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 should 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 1:30pm the day BEFORE departure at the Macpac store, 22-26 Kingsway, 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. 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.

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, sleeping bag and sleeping mat – all these items are essential for this trip and can be hired locally (at $60 per item, payable locally) 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.

START & END TIME
Pick-up in the morning of day 1 will be at 7am from at the Macpac store, 22-26 Kingsway, 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. Solo travellers may need to share the tent with travellers of the same gender. 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.

MEALS & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Vegetarian, vegan & gluten free diets can be catered for but no other substitutions or allergies are possible to accommodate due to set menus being used on tour. We need Medical and Dietary requirements as early as possible as food is purchased for the trip up to 4 weeks in advance.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Solo travellers will share a twin-share tent with another solo traveller. A single tent supplement is bookable if you prefer not to share a tent on this trip, but this must be requested prior to your trip with your booking agent (subject to availability).

MANDATORY PACKING LIST
- Hiking Boots/Shoes - make sure you wear them in well. We recommend ankle high boots in good condition.
- Backpack - at least 65 litres & waterproof pack cover
- Sleeping bag - down fill recommended with a comfort rating of no less than -2 degrees or better, best placed inside a waterproof dry bag
- Sleeping Mat placed in a waterproof dry bag - self-inflating mats are recommended
- Lightweight long sleeved shirt
- Walking shorts
- Lightweight walking trousers
- 3x Long sleeved thermal tops – mid to heavy weight - merino wool is recommended
- Thermal underwear - long legged made of merino wool. Consider bringing more pairs in winter months.
- Down Jacket
- Mid-weight to heavy Fleece Pullover
- Hiking socks
- Change of clothes for around the camp after the day’s hike
- Camp shoes – runners recommended
- Wet weather gear & waterproofing
- Waterproof jacket, raincoat with hood. Your raincoat needs to be thoroughly waterproof and made of a gore-tex material or similar
- Waterproof Trousers
- Dry bags for clothes and other items that should stay dry
- Full pack liner & a pack cover
- Sunscreen, lip balm & Insect 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
- Lightweight travel towel
- Sunhat with brim & beanie
- Day pack for side trips (small lightweight foldable stuff sack)
- Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Snacks and energy foods such as chocolate and jelly beans.
- Head torch & spare batteries & camera
- Biodegradable toiletries
- Toilet paper – in a waterproof zip lock bag
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Disinfectant wet wipes for cleaning hands & hand sanitiser
- Sleeping bag liner (not cotton or silk)
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Any medication you may require (optional)
- Gaiters
- We will supply 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.

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 (at $60 per item), however they must be requested prior to travel. These items are available to hire on this trip: sleeping bag with thermal liner, sleeping mat, raincoat, backpack with liner. You must request the items you wish to hire via your booking agent and all requests are subject to availability. Payment is due on the ground to your leader in cash.

PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING
A pre-departure meeting will take place at 1:30pm the day BEFORE departure at the Macpac store, 22-26 Kingsway, 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. 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.

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.

Macpac Launceston, 22-26 Kingsway, Launceston, AUSTRALIA, Phone: +61 (0)3 63491091

Alternate Joining Point

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:

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +61 400 882 742

This trip is a bush camping trip. You will be carrying your own tent and will set up camp each night. Solo travellers will share a tent with another solo traveller.