Tasmania – Cradle Mountain Huts Walk Trip Summary Join us to walk the iconic Overland Track, retreating each evening to the only private accommodations along the trail. Over six days, the rare beauty and diversity of Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park is yours to discover. Expert guides take the lead across this ancient landscape, converting to chefs come evening. They’ll also take the heavy load, leaving you with a lightweight pack. At the end of each day, retreat to a hot shower, sumptuous meals, freshly baked bread, a glass of Tasmanian wine and a comfortable bed. We’ll take you all the way to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. Itinerary Day 1: Waldheim / Crater Lake / Marion’s Lookout / Waterfall Valley / Barn Bluff Our journey begins at Waldheim in Cradle Valley, where we set off on the trail, venturing through ancient temperate rainforest, passing the dramatic glacially-carved Crater Lake • We climb the steepest section of the whole Overland Track today fueled by a hearty lunch • Reaching Marion’s Lookout (1250M) takes about an hour, with steps leading through steeper sections • The reward, if weather permits, is staggering views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake – every uphill step is worth it • We continue around the base of Cradle Mountain along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque before dropping into Waterfall Valley • Our private hut awaits, beneath towering Barn Bluff, having completed the steepest part of your journey (excluding side trips) • It’s a welcome retreat after several hours crossing exposed alpine plateau where some days nature likes to humble us with powerful winds • Overnight at Barn Bluff Hut (L, D) Day 2: Barn Bluff / Lake Will / Pine Forest Moor Today we cross undulating plains and exposed moorland, where glaciers scoured out shallow tarns • We venture across vast button grass plains where ancient pencil pines fringe these alpine tarns • Rising from the moors, the peaks of Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff are behind us, while ahead the stately Mt. Pelion West comes into view • Those looking for additional challenge today can take a side trip to Lake Will (hugged by pencil pines and with its narrow quartzite sand rim, Lake Will is striking, and sprinkled with gravel mounds from coal mining efforts in the 1890’s) • Enjoy our outdoor dining setting at Pine Forest Moor Hut with views out to Mt. Oakleigh • Overnight at Pine Forest Moor Hut (B, L, D) Day 3: Pine Forest Moor / Lemonthyme Valley / Frog Flats / Pelion Plains This morning we venture through gorgeous myrtle-beech rainforest as we descend around the base of Mt. Pelion West, down to the Forth River before it plunges into Lemonthyme Valley • We’ll take a break at Frog Flats beside the Forth River, the Overland Track’s lowest point • Gently ascend back out of the valley, leaving thick Eucalypt forest behind as the trees part to reveal Pelion Plains and uninterrupted views of Mt. Oakleigh’s dolerite spires • The Pelion Plains area offers a host of side trips, within mountainous terrain, and there are excellent swimming holes, peaceful nooks to rest and abandoned copper mines to explore • Come nightfall, we’ll nestle amongst dry sclerophyll forest at Pelion Hut • Overnight at Pelion Hut (B, L, D) 1 The toughest part is going home.SM Tasmania – Cradle Mountain Huts Walk Day 4: Pelion Plains / Pelion Gap / Mt. Ossa / Kia Ora Today begins with a climb of almost 300M through beautiful rainforest to Pelion Gap, a plateau stretching between Mt. Pelion East and Mt. Ossa and affording fantastic views to the south as well as back to the north • There’s plenty of time for side trips from Pelion Gap including the option to summit Mt. Ossa (1617M and Tasmania’s highest peak) and other less challenging climbs, such as Mt. Doris • From Pelion Gap it's a further two hours of gentle downhill to the hut • Once we arrive at Kia Ora Hut, enjoy a Tasmanian drop with spectacular views out to Cathedral Mountain • Overnight at Kia Ora Hut (B, L, D) Day 5: Kia Ora / Du Cane Range / Du Cane Gap / Windy Ridge Depart Kia Ora hut and walk about an hour to Du Cane, where a 1910-built trapper’s hut remains • Du Cane Hut is a fine spot to rest, surrounded by native gardens and overlooked by the spectacular Du Cane Range • From here, we wander through some of the oldest forest in the National Park, with King Billy pines as much as 2000 years old • Stand above the Mersey River, which descends deeply northward towards Bass Strait, spilling down cliff faces • There are three major sets of icy-flowing waterfalls in the area and we will visit one or more of these, choosing the best to have lunch beside • In the afternoon, we make our way over Du Cane Gap, then descend beside the spectacular Falling Mountain to Windy Ridge Hut • Tonight, we celebrate our last evening on the trail • Overnight at Windy Ridge Hut (B, L, D) Day 6: Windy Ridge / Lake St. Clair / Quamby Estates / Northern Midlands Our destination today is Australia’s deepest natural lake – Lake St Clair – shaped by glaciations over two million years • Birdsong helps us along this final day as we walk through flowering dry sclerophyll forests • We arrive at Narcissus at the northern end of Lake St Clair in time for lunch, then board a cruise boat for a spectacular 17KM cruise back to Cynthia Bay and the visitor center there • The return trip to Quamby Estate is through the trout fishing mecca of the highland lakes, descending the rugged Western Tiers • After some celebratory canapes and sparkling wine we will transfer guests back to Launceston and the airport • No overnight (B, L) *Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures. Our Partner – Tasmanian Walking Company Austin Adventures is proudly offering this trip in conjunction with Tasmanian Walking Company. TWC is proudly Tasmanian and has been operating for over 30 years. Tasmanian Walking Company offers true Australian hospitality. Their chef designs your meals, their guides connect you, and their accommodation comforts and shelters you. Their history and reputation will be with you every step of the way. When it comes to best environmental practice, TWC is seen as a leader in the industry. They follow best practice track guidelines on all walks and follow designated trails, remove all waste from huts, camps and lodges and recycle whenever possible. They have won numerous national and state tourism awards. 2 The toughest part is going home.SM Tasmania – Cradle Mountain Huts Walk Activities Hiking: Up to seven hours per day (excluding optional side trips). If you climb Mt Ossa, you will reach an elevation up to 5,305 feet (optional). Options at the Huts: There will be afternoon tea, as well as some time to relax and enjoy your surroundings before dinner is served. In the evening, you are free to relax or take an early night and feel refreshed and revived in the morning. There are games and a number of books in each hut, which can be enjoyed in the lounge area or, in warm weather, out on the deck or helipad. Discovery: Venture through ancient temperate rainforest, passing dramatic glacially-carved lakes. Cross plains where glaciers once rested, slowly moving and scouring out shallow tarns, then onto vast button grass plains. Explore detritus from 1800’s coal mining efforts near a striking lake hugged by pencil pines and with narrow quartzite sand rim. Descend through gorgeous myrtle-beech rainforest, around the base of a mountain, and down into a lovely river valley. Hike up out of thick Eucalypt forest and onto plains with uninterrupted views of mountainous dolerite spires. Explore backcountry swimming holes, peaceful nooks to rest, abandoned copper mines, and a trapper’s hut from 1910. Take a rest, surrounded by native gardens and overlooked by the spectacular mountain ranges. Wander through some of the oldest forest with King Billy pines as much as 2000 years old. Visit icy- flowing waterfalls and lunch beside one. Witness Australia’s deepest natural lake shaped by glaciations over two million years. Listen to birdsong as you walk through flowering dry sclerophyll forests. Enjoy passing scenery during a spectacular 17KM cruise back to Cynthia Bay. Explore the Visitor Center here before returning to Launceston via Quamby Estate (our walking base). Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you. Meals The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). A selection of Tasmanian wine is served with dinner each evening – gratuities are not included. 3 The toughest part is going home.SM Tasmania – Cradle Mountain Huts Walk Distinctive Accommodation Nights 1 – 5: The Huts Cradle Mountain Huts places a great deal of importance on minimal impact trail 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. These huts are maintained specifically to ensure the comfort of guests like you.