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Cradle and the Walls of Jerusalem

Grade: Easy to moderate. Suitable for fit first timers (1/2 day of backpacking).
6 days / 5 nights
Cost: AU$1290
Meet at: Launceston at 830am.
Departure Dates: 4th & 18th February 2007, 4th & 18th March 2007, 1st, 15th & 29th April 2007,13th & 27th May 2007

Sample the best of the highland National Parks of Tasmania by walking for 6 days in the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park and the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

From our cabins at Waldheim, we visit the magnificent Ballroom Forest, walk beside the cool waters of Lake Dove and hike to the summit of Cradle Mountain for panoramic views. Warmed up, we travel to the Walls of Jerusalem where we backpack into the plateau and set up our base camp. The wildflowers, groves of pencil pine. sparkling tarns and unique rock formations of this pristine wilderness area are a delight to behold.

Wildlife such as wallabies, possums, wombats and pademelons are common sights, often visiting our campsite. Our day walks include hiking to the top of the West Wall, which provides panoramic views over the Central Highlands to the west coast. Our trip ends with our return to Launceston.

Cost Inclusions. Experienced guides: group camping equipment, park fees, transfers Launceston-Cradle Mountain-Walls of Jerusalem-Launceston. 5 nights accommodation (2 cabins, 3 camping), all meals to lunch Day 6.

Grade: Moderate but suitable for fit first timers. Backpacking
Cost: AU$1790
Meet at Launceston at 12-1230pm.
Departure Dates:Every Saturday 07 October 2006 - 19 May 2007

Our walk through the Cradle Mountain National park is one of the finest bushwalks in Australia. From our first day's walk past Cradle Mountain, to our boat trip beside the rainforest clad shores of Lake St Clair, we enjoy a great celebration of wilderness .

After driving through the hills and vales of rural Tasmania, from Launceston, we spend the night in a comfortable cabin at the head of the track before hoisting our packs and heading south towards Lake St Clair. The Overland Track is well graded along its 70km length and our seven day walk allows us plenty of spare time for optional side trips, such as Cradle Mountain, Mt. Ossa and Pine Valley.

We hike through grassy valleys, past picturesque lakes nestled below rocky crags, past groves of pencil pine and through dark myrtle forests. Wildlife abounds- eagles, lizards, wallabies, wombats. we might even spot the shy Tasmanian devil. We have plenty of time for rest stops when we can just let the wilderness seep in or capture its timelessness on film.

Join us on this magnificent walk through Tasmania's best known World Heritage park for the wilderness experience of lifetime.

Cost inclusions. Experienced guides: group camping equipment, park fees. transfers. 7 nights accommodation (1 cabin. 6 camping), all meals.

Grade: Challenging. For fit backpackers only. (Pack weight 18-20 kg)
Cost: AU$1990
Meet at Hobart. Gear check at 4pm the day before departure
Departure Dates: 4th &18th February 2007, 4th & 25th March 2007

The south west of 'Tassie` is one of the world's great wilderness areas, and the south coast is one of the world's great wilderness walks. We spend nine days in this wild and beautiful environment which remains virtually untouched by man.

After a spectacular flight into the small Melaleuca airstrip, we walk eastwards along the entire length of the coast, meeting only other walkers.

Each day we are left to wonder at the natural grandeur of this World Heritage area; precipitous sea cliffs, vast plains of buttongrass, windswept beaches, thick forests, lofty mountains, hidden coves and serene estuaries.

Although it is possible to complete the walk in six days, we allow nine. This gives us plenty of time for lazing on beaches, or making a side trip. as well as allowing safety days in case of bad weather.

On average we walk 10-12 km a day. Packs may weigh up to 20 kg initially when we have plenty of food, so it is an advantage to have previous backpacking experience.

You haven't discovered your legs until you have walked the south coast track.

Cost Inclusions: Experienced guides, group camping equipment, air and ground transfers. 8 nights accommodation (camping), all meals and park fees.

We also offer 3 day walks in Cradle Mountain N.P. and Freycinet N.P. that include 2 nights accommodation in cabins.

The Cradle Mountain - The beauty, the peace, the exhilaration - all the atmosphere of Cradle Mountain, a magnificent World Heritage area, is available on the excellent 3 day excursion. Carrying only a day pack, your days will be spent exploring the small lakes, waterfalls and rainforests of Cradle Valley. We visit the magnificent Ballroom Forest and walk beside the cool, silent waters of Lake Dove. We attempt an ascent of Cradle Mountain, walking across button grass plains and alpine herb meadows. As we climb towards the summit, which is above 1500m, we can view the splendour of the rugged Tasmanian Highlands. Each night, we return to our accommodation at Waldheim cabins within the National Park.

Cost inclusions: 2 nights cabin accommodation, (share facilities), group equipment, experienced guide, meals, park fees, transfers Launceston - Cradle – Launceston, wet weather gear, meals, park fees, transfers ex Launceston

Departs: Every Sunday all year round. Every Thursday and Sunday from 1st October 2006 until 30th May 2007

The Freycinet - On this 3 day walk, we explore the Freycinet National Park on the East Coast of Tasmania, and the Douglas Apsley National Park nearby. From our base in cabins in Coles Bay, our day walks allow us to discover the secluded bays, white sand beaches, sheer granite cliffs and tall eucalypt forests of these parks. A short drive takes us to the Douglas Apsley National Park, where our walk features Oyster Bay Pines, sheer cliffs and a tranquil rock pool fed by miniature waterfalls. This park is the largest area of undisturbed dry sclerophyll forest remaining in Tasmania. We have the opportunity to walk up Mt Amos and visit both the beautiful Wineglass Bay and Hazard’s Beach atFreycinet National Park. In visiting both parks, we have the opportunity to see wildlife, such as the Bennetts wallaby, Tasmanian devil and wombat, as well as the black cockatoo and green rosella. Come and explore the beauty of the rugged east coast on foot.

Cost Inclusions: Experienced guides, 2 nights cabin accommodation, group equipment, wet weather gear, meals, park fees, transfers ex Launceston

departs every Wednesday all year round

Cost for either tour: $690.00 (AUD)
Single cabin supplement $180.00 per cabin (subject to availability)

Both start at Launceston at 830am