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WORLD HERITAGE TREK, Tasmania 

Including Cradle Mountain

Guided walk accommodated in mountain huts - 5 nights / 6 days

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Cradle Mountain - a great area for a walking tour The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is recognized as a wilderness area of outstanding world value.  It is one of the last few remaining temperate wilderness areas in the world and is best compared to the other two southern hemisphere sites - South West New Zealand and Los Glaciares in Argentina. All these unique, rugged, glaciated mountainous regions are united in their evolutionary history as part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana and display strong  links in terms of their flora and fauna.  At 1.38 million hectares, the World Heritage Area is one of the largest and most important reserves containing extensively glaciated landscapes, pristine catchments, a profusion of threatened rare and endemic plants in a complex mosaic of vegetation.  Here is a collection of the world's largest carnivorous marsupials (Tasmanian devils and quolls), and two of the only three surviving species of monotremes - the most primitive group of mammals in the world (platypus and echidna). 
 
Join a small group for a 6 day guided walk along the Overland Track, Australia's most famous walking track. The walk extends from Cradle Valley to Lake St Clair through a variety of spectacular landscapes. You will walk in a small group, led by enthusiastic Tasmanians with a combination of bush skills, diplomacy and an understanding of the flora, fauna, geology and history of the Overland Track.   
Inside one of the overnight mountain huts near Cradle MountainOn the track, you will not be rushed. There is always the opportunity to take a break for scenery, tea, explanation or just for you. But with lots of energy you might want to do some of the many side-trips available each day (including to Mt Ossa - the top of Tasmania). In the mountainous heart of this amazing area, are five comfortable, well-appointed huts lit by mellow gas lights and candles. Hidden in forest along the Overland Track, they are the only private huts allowed in the area. At the end of each day's walk, you can have a hot shower and relax in your private twin share room and enjoy a delicious meal with Tasmanian wine, prepared by your guides. 

 

Trek Itinerary
The itinerary has been carefully planned and an additional 5th hut was added in 1997 for better spacing between huts and to allow for fascinating side trips. In addition, guests on every trip now have the opportunity (weather permitting) to climb Mt Ossa (1617m) - the highest peak in Tasmania. Departures are from late October until early May.

 

For a map of the walk, relatively slow to download, click World Heritage Walk Tasmania MAP...
 
Hiking near Cradle Mountain DAY 1: Waldheim to Barn Bluff Hut (11 km, 5 hrs walking) 
he first day begins with a drive from Evandale (near Launceston) through the historic countryside of Deloraine and Sheffield to Cradle Valley. The walk begins at the romantic Waldheim Chalet in Cradle Valley, where you are greeted by inquisitive wallabies. You climb onto the alpine plateau with spectacular views of Dove and Crater Lakes. Lunch is held below the spires of Cradle Mountain or at Fury Gorge. In the afternoon you walk the rim of the glacial cirque before passing through Waterfall Valley. The night is spent at Barn Bluff Hut which nestles beneath this majestic mountain.
 
DAY 2: Barn Bluff Hut to Pine Forest Moor (12 km, 6 hrs walking) 
Crossing the sedgeland moors you pass many glacial tarns. Lunch is usually on the shores of Lake Windermere. In the afternoon you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Lemonthyme Forests from the Forth Valley lookout. The Pine Forest Moor Hut is located on the edge of the forest.
 
DAY 3:  Pine Forest Moor Hut to Pelion Hut (10 km, 6 hours walking) 
The walk follows the historic Innes Track sheltered below Mt Pelion West, mainly through rainforest. A stop is made at Frog Flats, at the headwaters to the Forth River. The final section of the day's walk is on to the Pelion Plains where Pelion Hut is located.
 
DAY 4: Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut (9 km, 4 hrs walking - with an optional 4 hrs to climb Mt Ossa)
Views to the south west wilderness are possible from Pelion Gap and it is from this point that you can elect to climb Mt Ossa (Tasmania's highest peak). The afternoon walk is to Kia Ora Hut, located below Cathedral Mountain.
 
DAY 5:  Kia Ora Hut to Windy Ridge Hut (9 km, 4 hrs walking) 
This day begins with a visit to the beautiful 'leatherwood garden' at the historic Du Cane Hut. The middle section of the day is spent meandering along the Mersey River visiting the spectacular waterfalls including the D'Alton, Fergusson and Hartnett Falls. The hut at Windy Ridge is reached through magical myrtle forests.
 
DAY 6: Windy Ridge Hut - Lake St Clair (9 km, 3 hrs walking) 
The northern shores of Lake St Clair are reached throughsuperb eucalypt forests. Here you are met and taken on a 17km boat cruise along Tasmania's deepest and most spectacular lake. Leaving the Overland Track behind you as you pass over the waters of the lake is a memorable way to conclude your walk. The return trip to Evandale (near Launceston) is through the trout fishing mecca of the highland lakes, descending the rugged Western Tiers to the pastoral landscapes of Cressy and Longford.
 
Ferns near Cradle MountainFungi near Cradle MountainExotic native plants near Cradle MountainSnow on Cradle MountainDead tree near Cradle Mountain
 

Other great walks in Tasmania include 3 superb coastal treks: East Coast Wilderness 4 day Guided Walk, Tasmania, the unique National Park experience of the Maria Island 4 day Guided Walk, Tasmania, and the spectacular lodge based walk Best of Freycinet Peninsula 4 day Guided Walk, Tasmania

 
PRICES - WORLD HERITAGE TREK, Tasmania

26 Oct '07 - 1 May '08

late Oct '08 - early May'09

Truly
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Per person - share twin / full board
 6 days / 5 nights Walking tour A$2375 A$2425# 675
To check approximate prices in other key currencies, see our Currency Converter
# A$100 per person supplement applies to departures in high season - Jan/Feb/Mar 2009
A$350 per person deposit is required on confirmation of your walk booking
Included
*
All transport in Tasmania from Launceston and returning to Launceston  * Experienced tour guides
* 5 nights twin share accommodation in private huts   * All meals
* Park entry fees  * Boat cruise on Lake St Clair
Extra
*
Hire gear (jackets, back packs etc) is available at extra charge
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Please use the Truly Reference Number when making booking enquiries
Bookings made with Truly Australia are covered by our ABTA Bond - this financial protection does NOT apply to bookings made direct with the local operator or hotel.   You are completely free to arrange your own flights to Australia - or, if you are departing from the UK, we can quote separately by Email for competitive flight prices, including in business class.
  
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