Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS

TASMANIA

Help beat MS one step at a time as you trek the spectacular surrounds of Cradle Mountain The trip at a glance

Join MS in Tasmania for the journey Not only will you experience the pristine beauty of of a lifetime as you Conquer Cradle the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area on this Mountain to Beat MS! exciting challenge, but this is also your chance to travel with purpose and create real change in people’s Trek the spectacular surrounds of Cradle Mountain lives — and in yourself. as we traverse sections of the iconic Overland Trail. Travelling with MS & Soulful Concepts inspires a Over four days, experience the rare beauty and sense of motivation and encouragement because this diversity of Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage trip is contributing to a wonderful cause; supporting Area. This stunning wilderness region features a huge Australians living with multiple sclerosis. Share once- diversity of flora and fauna; visit glacially carved lakes, in-a-lifetime memories with like-minded travellers while ancient rainforests, fragrant eucalypt forests, golden experiencing Tasmania’s breathtaking landscape. buttongrass moorlands and beautiful alpine meadows. You’ll walk away with treasured moments and the This is your chance to leave everything behind and knowledge that you have been a part of something life- immerse yourself in one of Australia’s premier trekking changing! destinations. Expert guides will lead you across this ancient landscape, seeking out some of the park’s hidden highlights. With an abundance of wildlife you are likely to encounter Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats and the highly inquisitive black currawong set amongst mountainous terrain and magnificent views.

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Day 1: Arrive Launceston Dates: 2–6 October 2021 Day 2: Cradle Valley Boardwalk – Tour duration: 5 days (including travel time) Weindorfers Forest – Waldheim Group size: 10–20 travellers Day 3: Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut via the Overland Track Challenge grade: 3/5 Day 4: Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes Registration fee: $495 (non-refundable) Day 5: Dove Lake Circuit - Return to Fundraising target: $3,000 (excludes travel) Launceston Travel quote: $2,345* excluding return flights Flights: At own expense – from $400–$800 return Unique experiences include Accommodation: Twin share rooms in cabins and 4-star hotels • Soak in the extraordinary views of Cradle Minimum age: 18 (younger ages Mountain’s World Heritage National Park considered on application) • Trek for four days through ancient *Subject to change. Refer to Soulful Concepts terms rainforest, spectacular glacial cirques and and conditions pristine valleys • Connect to nature as you traverse through parts of the iconic Overland Trail • Enjoy spotting the native wildlife including wombats, echidnas, wallabies and Tasmanian devils • Forge friendships that will last a lifetime, while raising vital funds and awareness to support Australians living with multiple sclerosis

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Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable $15 can provide an information pack to someone and debilitating central nervous newly diagnosed with MS to help them feel supported and informed. system disease that affects over 25,600 Australians and over two $40 can connect people living with MS in rural and remote Australia via telelink, so they don’t have to face million people worldwide. the disease alone. A multiple sclerosis diagnosis can be extremely difficult $75 can help educate a health professional about to come to grips with. All of a sudden there is a lot of multiple sclerosis to enhance the quality of care and new information to absorb, questions to ask and key outcomes for people living with MS. decisions to make. MS is here to support people living with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones at every $150 can support the training of an MS Peer Support stage through their journey. volunteer to provide countless hours of support to many people living with MS. Right now, 1 in 3 Australians are directly impacted by a diagnosed family member, friend or colleague. MS are *services may vary per state a trusted organisation that people living with MS and their families can turn to for specialised information and support from knowledgeable and caring professionals. Every week more than 10 Australians are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the Fundraisers and donors make essential MS support average age of diagnosis is just 30 years old. services possible for people living with multiple sclerosis. Your support will ensure no one faces MS alone. By taking on this wonderful trek, you are making sure people living with MS continue Funds raised helps MS to ensure that when more to access vital support and services that help than 20,000 Australians reach out each year, they find them live well at home, at the workplace and a caring voice on the end of the line thanks to MS in the community. Connect, who provide support, care and advice when it is needed most. John Blewonski, Your support ensures over 7,300 people have access MS CEO to MS Wellbeing programs each year, giving them an opportunity to share strategies on managing symptoms and a chance to connect with the MS community. Your fundraising enables over 2,700 people each year to participate in an MS Education Webinar, giving them an opportunity to share strategies on managing symptoms and a chance to connect with the MS community. Your donations provide more than 1,500 people living with multiple sclerosis access to free, specialised advice and guidance from a health professional, through the MS Advisor programs without having to travel or join a waiting list. All funds raised from the Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS Challenge will be used to fund vital support services to help make the everyday possible for people living with multiple sclerosis.

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By 2012, things started to go wrong again and Melantha was back in hospital for the next seven months. During this time, she received the devastating news she was the fourth person in Australia to be diagnosed with PML caused by Tysabri. Melantha was finally discharged but is now pretty much bed ridden. She has lost the use of her left arm and has extreme difficulty communicating verbally. She needs a carer every weekday to shower & dress her, do her house chores, make her coffee, and take her to medical appointments. Despite her diagnosis, she got her L plates on an electric wheelchair and in 2016 registered in the MS As a young woman, Melantha had Walk Run + Roll with her team Carpe Diem - Latin for everything to look forward to. She lived “seize the day”. life to the fullest, got married, travelled to In the five years since, Melantha has raised an incredible $40,000 to help other people living with MS and South Africa, fell pregnant and gave birth raise awareness of MS. She is grateful for her friends to a healthy daughter. who bring her comfort and joy by simply being there, Sadly, a few months later Melantha had a seizure, checking in or dropping by and for her local community waking up in the hospital where she stayed for six days. who rally around her when she is trying to raise money It was confirmed Melantha had the “best” type of the for MS. four MS types, Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis And, you too can help people like Melantha. (RRMS), and she started treatment straight away. When you join the Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat A treatment called Tysabri (Natalizumab) had become MS expedition, we can continue to provide vital services available through medical trials and Melantha was and support for people like Melantha and her family. selected to be one of the first in Australia to try the once a month treatment. “Embrace every chance and connection It worked. She was attack free, enjoying walking and you possibly can. driving a very cool Mini Cooper! Especially the chance for another chance. Melantha and her family were told there was a Life is a lottery, people.” chance she could contract Pulmonary Multifocal - Melantha Leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by Tysabri but it was very slim and as treatment was working so well, they decided to roll the dice and take the risk... During her second pregnancy she suffered terrible morning sickness and by the fourth month she relapsed, unable to walk. She was readmitted to the Royal Hospital for Women, this time for the duration of her pregnancy – five whole months! In this time, she became a guinea pig for curious medical students and doctors who were all fascinated by her kind of MS. She was more than happy to oblige; it gave her comfort and a nice feeling to give the opportunity for anyone to learn from her case and hopefully help others with MS. She gave birth to another healthy girl and re-learnt to walk before finally going home, only to experience her worst relapse a few months later, losing all feeling below the hip. She was readmitted to hospital away from her husband, toddler and newborn for another two months of drips, needles and drugs and finally she learnt to walk again for the second time in 2009.

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Day 1: Saturday, 2 October 2021 – Welcome to Launceston Welcome to Launceston, Tasmania! After landing make your way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day you are free to relax or to explore the city’s historic streetscapes and heritage estates. Launceston is a vibrant hub for food and wine and culture. There’s also a touch of wilderness with Cataract Gorge just a few minutes walk from the city centre. Day 3: Monday, 4 October 2021 – Marions Lookout Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor or similar and Kitchen Hut via The Overland Track Day 2: Sunday, 3 October 2021 – Cradle Valley Today’s walk takes in some of the most breathtaking Boardwalk – Weindorfers Forest – Waldheim alpine scenery in all of Australia. It involves a circuit After breakfast meet your guide for an 8am hike to the base of Cradle Mountain – taking in Marions departure. We will depart Launceston, stopping for Lookout, Kitchen Hut and returning via the Horse Track. morning tea along the way, and then continue into This section of the iconic Overland Track will have you Cradle Mountain village. traversing across buttongrass plains and deciduous Upon arrival you’ll have a chance to gear up before native forests, steadily climbing to the glacially formed heading out on our main walk for the day – the Cradle Crater Lake. From Crater Lake the ascent becomes Valley Boardwalk. This is a nice and easy introduction to steeper and the views become grander as we continue your trekking challenge, we’ll head into the park along onto Marions Lookout. In fine weather, the views are the Cradle Valley Boardwalk, following the course of the magnificent and far reaching – with Cradle Mountain itself Dove River which features a vast assortment of native dominating the panorama. flora. From there we will head up to Ronny Creek car The tracks gradient eases as we continue across the park where you are likely to see wombats grazing on alpine landscape to Kitchen Hut – our intended lunch the flat grassy plains. We’ll then continue onto the and turn around point. After lunch, we wave goodbye to historic Waldheim Chalet, where we enjoy a short walk the towering dolerite cliff lines of Cradle Mountain, and through an ancient forest of myrtle beach and king return via the Horse Track. This unique aspect affords us billy pine, before making our way back to the bus for views deep into some of the even more remote areas of afternoon tea. the park, and is often less frequented than other tracks. This afternoon we will undertake a series of short walks There is an excellent rocky outcrop which gives an that will showcase the unique rainforest, waterfalls elevated view straight down to Crater Lake far below. and magnificent king billy pines that Cradle Mountain From here we descend back to Ronny Creek where National Park has to offer. This evening we will enjoy our bus awaits. After a long day of trekking, we return dinner cooked by our guides at our accommodation. to our accommodation for another dinner prepared by Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Discovery our guides. Meals: B,L,D Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Discovery Trekking distance: (9km walking – approx. 4 hours, Meals: B,L,D easy grade) Trekking Distance: (10km, 6–7 hours, hard grade)

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© Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved Day 4: Tuesday, 5 October 2021 – Hansons Peak and The trip includes: Twisted Lakes • 2 x trek guides, who will drive, cook and care for you This morning after breakfast we depart for another • Transport which includes collecting from Launceston fantastic walk, taking in the park’s eastern highlights. and returning back. We use a comfortable mini We begin today’s trek at Dove Lake, taking the Lake coach with a trailer attached for luggage. Plus we Rodway track up and over Hansons Peak – which use the coach to drop off and pick up during the provides us with a completely different view of Cradle course of the day Mountain and the surrounding lakes. • Meals as indicated in itinerary The climb to the top of the peak is at times steep and • We always have a thermos with plenty of tea, coffee, uneven underfoot, and a chain is provided on nearing hot chocolate and biscuits/cake the summit to assist walkers. Once over the other side, we pick up our return route via Twisted Lakes • Accommodation on a twin share basis (single and Lake Hanson – remnants of glacial scouring from supplement available at additional cost) previous ice ages. These pools are very tranquil and are • National Park entry fees encompassed by endemic pencil pines and fagus. The trip doesn’t include: This section is normally very peaceful, a bit of a hidden • Airport transfers gem, and we will find ourselves a nice rocky outcrop for • Airfares lunch whilst we soak up the views. • Single supplement If energy and time permits – an hour and a half extension can be made to visit the eastern face of • Optional tours and excursions Cradle Mountain, and the reflective waters of Artists • Tips and gratuities Pool. We loop back to the Lake Rodway Track • Visas (if required) completing the circuit, and reverse our inward journey – • Personal travel insurance and vaccinations returning to Dove Lake to meet the bus. • Items of a personal nature Tonight, we enjoy a delicious dinner. • Other services not listed in the inclusions column Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Discovery Holiday Park *Travellers are responsible for valid visas throughout the Meals: B,L,D duration of the trip Trekking distance: (10km, 5 – 6 hours, hard grade) Day 5: Wednesday, 6 October 2021 – Dove Lake Circuit - Return to Launceston Today we will wander through a typical Tasmanian rainforest around Dove Lake. The flat, gravel and duckboard track is very easy-going, leaving you to focus entirely on the jagged peak of Cradle Mountain, which looms above the track. Along the way, there is a great mix of terrain including scrubby button grass, sandy beaches, cascading streams and a very special rainforest known as the Ballroom Forest. We finish our loop atop the impressive formation of Glacier Rock, which provides us with a final vista across the landscapes we have explored for the past four days. After lunch, we jump back on the bus and start our return journey back to Launceston. Enroute we will stop by in the lovely little town of Sheffield, where we’ll have time for a break and a chance to wander around the muralled streets. Returning to Laucestion at approximately 4–4.30pm. Please make sure you book flights that depart after 6:30pm. Meals: B,L Trekking distance: 6kms walking (approx. 2 hours) easy grade *Please speak with the Soulful travel team if you would like to extend your stay in Tasmania.

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Soulful Concepts is an industry accredited, responsible travel agency. They provide hand-crafted travel experiences for charities, corporates and individuals, ensuring each of their experiences has a positive impact on an important cause. Kristen Briggs, Co-Founder and Director With a focus on culture, community development, conservation and personal well-being, they promote educational experiences, as a way to empower travellers to engage with global issues, while supporting the local economy. Over the past four years Soulful Concepts has worked in partnership with MS on their fundraising adventures. Helping everyday Australian’s to conquer the Great Wall of China, trek Larapinta Trail and cycle from North to South Vietnam, raising over $350,000 to provide vital support services to Australians living with MS. Soulful Concepts has a small team of Fundraising and Adventure Specialists who are on hand to offer Jacqui Swift, Fundraising Specialist fundraising guidance and travel support services. Providing tips and ideas to help travellers reach and exceed their fundraising targets and prepare for their adventure. The Soulful team hopes for travellers to come away with an informed and enhanced understanding of the hopes, struggles, and accomplishments of the people and places they visit. Becoming active, global citizens who continue to learn, share and live a more sustainable life, long after their travels are over.

“It is hard to put into words how incredible our trip with Soulful Concepts was. We trekked the Larapinta Trail in the NT to raise funds for MS Christine Drew, Fundraising and Travel Coordinator and from the very beginning Soulful’s support and coordination was amazing. I will carry the memories and experiences of my week in the desert in my heart forever. Mt Sonder was a huge highlight setting off in the dark and watching the sunrise is an experience, challenge and achievement I will never forget. I also loved the opportunity we had to experience the desert in such a raw way - sleeping under the stars in swags without all the comforts of home was very liberating.” Jane Fenn, MS Larapinta 2019 Amanda Howle, Fundraising and Partnerships Manager

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© Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved We recommend you have travel insurance in the FAQs strongest possible terms. When selecting a travel insurance product, please ensure that it provides What does it cost? cover against personal accidents or injury, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, Upon booking, you pay a (non-refundable) registration cancellation for any reason including bereavement, fee of $495. The travel cost (excluding flights) is delayed flights, lost luggage and personal effects. $2,345*. The fundraising commitment to MS is In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen $3000, this can be fundraised with the support of illness, we may need to evacuate you from a remote Soulful Concepts and MS. part of the walk. In Cradle’s case, evacuation is on foot *Subject to change. Please refer to Soulful Concepts (where the walker is physically capable) or by helicopter. updated terms and conditions which are adapted to the Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most ever evolving nature of the Covid-19 pandemic. cases will be at a cost to the customer. How do I fundraise? For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any The Soulful Concepts team are fundraising experts here domestic travel insurance product to provide any to guide you on your fundraising journey. They will offer financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air regular support and will help you develop a fundraising ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our plan tailored to your network, so you can reach and travellers to take specific ambulance cover through their even exceed your fundraising target. In addition, you health insurance provider. will also be supported by the MS team. It is also strongly recommended that our customers There are many creative and fun ways in which you can take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other fundraise. To help get you started we have created an things) the costs associated with evacuation. Online Fundraising Resource Hub containing an A-Z Please note, if you are an international resident, you are guide of fundraising ideas, “how to” guides for certain required to obtain travel insurance and send us a copy events and sample press releases and corporate of your policy for our records. sponsorship letters. Is the travel cost guaranteed? I have a pre-existing medical condition, can I still go on this Soulful Concepts will try to keep the travel costs as quoted. However, factors out of our control such as adventure? group size, can affect the travel costs. The travel cost You must advise us of any pre-existing medical will be confirmed again at the time of invoicing. conditions you may have at the time of booking and ensure you can get adequate travel insurance cover Is it possible to fundraise for my travel and medical sign off from your doctor prior to booking costs via my online fundraising page? the tour. No, you can only raise the funds that are going to All travellers will need to complete our medical MS via your online page. If seeking support for your questionnaire 90 days prior to departure. It is proof travel expenses, this must be raised separately through that you are physically capable of undertaking the events and paid directly to Soulful Concepts. trekking challenge. It is essential that you’re transparent with supporters about where their donation is going. i.e. Supporting getting you to Tasmania or going directly to MS. Are donations tax-deductible? Yes, donations of $2 or more made to MS through your fundraising page are tax-deductible. Any donation made where an item is received in return (i.e chocolates, auction item, raffle ticket) is not tax deductible. If seeking support for your travel expenses, then these donations are not tax-deductible. Is travel insurance compulsory? Soulful Concepts will do everything possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. However, certain risks are involved and should be recognised by travellers.

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© Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved What is the registration fee? What Covid Safe health and hygiene Upon registration, you will be required to pay a $495 practices do you have in place? registration fee to secure your spot on the team. The On a Soulful journey we put your health and wellbeing fee will also cover the planning, fundraising and travel first wherever we take you, leaving you free to explore support received from Soulful Concepts in the lead up with the peace of mind that comes with having the to your adventure. world’s foremost travel experts at your side. How fit do I need to be? We have been working tirelessly with our partners behind the scenes, discussing and reviewing risk Your challenge is ranked 3/5. There are long days of management policies and procedures for Covid Safe walking, sometimes on steep terrain and you will need Travel. Our local tour operators have long standing to carry your day pack with you. A person of moderate relationships with local suppliers including restaurants, fitness who is willing to train will enjoy the challenge hotels, boats, transportation providers and venues. most. Training that includes strength exercises and hills, These partners know our exacting standards and stairs, and uneven natural trails will prepare you well for have been fully vetted by our local tour operators this adventure. to make sure they comply with all local regulations What is the minimum age for regarding health and hygiene. travellers? The ongoing pandemic is a complex and fluid situation which is why we will continue to work with The minimum age for this adventure is 18, however our local tour operator in Tasmania to share our younger ages are considered on application. Covid Safe Health and Hygiene Plan in the lead up to your adventure.

How do I book this tour? You can register over the phone by calling Soulful Concepts on 1300 059 686 or book online. Have any more questions? Please contact us on 1300 059 686 or email [email protected]

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