Cradle Mountain And The West Walks

Combine the beauty and peace of Cradle Mountain with the excitement of the rugged and wild west coast.

Over 6 days we explore one of the largest cool temperate wilderness areas of the world, we discover a history of mining and railways, visit a 100 metre waterfall and spend a night at the charming fishing village of Strahan.

Carrying only a day pack, we explore the many secrets of the World Heritage Area.

We climb Cradle Mountain to admire the 360 panorama of Tasmania's highest mountains, walk beside the deepest lake in Tasmania and discover rainforest squeezed between deep dark waters and towering spires.

Each night we will stay in simple but comfortable cabins along the way.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 Distance approx 5km Walking Time approx 3hrs
Launceston to Cradle Mountain National Park

Today you will be picked up from your accommodation between 8.00am and 8.30am & transferred to a pre-departure briefing at The Arthouse Hostel in Launceston beginning at 8.30am. Your guides will present a general overview of the trip, conduct a gear check and provide the opportunity to hire/borrow any equipment/clothing that you may need.

We will aim to depart Launceston at approx 9.30am, transferring to our cabins at Cradle Mountain which will take approximately 3 hours including a mid journey leg stretch in Sheffield & Tassie's town of murals. On arrival we will unload the bus and have lunch before setting off on an afternoon walk around the beautiful Dove Lake. During the walk your guides will take the time to introduce this beautiful area to you & the history of the region, its pioneers, the amazing prehistoric plant life and impressive views of Cradle
Mountain and Dove Lake you will witness. In the evening your guides will prepare a feast for you to enjoy as you relive the excitement of the day & prepare for our full day of walking in the National Park tomorrow.
MEALS: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Distance up to 12km Walking Time up to 8hrs
Cradle Mountain National Park

Today can be as challenging or as leisurely as you wish. Conditions permitting, your guides will offer you the opportunity to trek to the base of Cradle Mountain and to climb to its summit. The breathtaking 360 degree views on offer are a worthy reward for the effort required to reach the summit. En route you will encounter the beautiful Crater Falls and Crater Lake before tackling the steep trail up to Marion's Lookout. If weather or other conditions prevent our summit attempt there are numerous alternatives, a popular one is the challenging Face Track which skirts beneath the well known outline of Cradle Mountain. Your guides are passionate about this wonderland and will provide a day full of highlights. Blue skies or rough weather this region provides a very special experience. Your guides will provide a packed lunch and plenty of snacks to keep your energy up whilst wandering throughout the day. When we return to our cabins you will be able to freshen up and relax while your guides prepare another hearty evening meal.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Cradle Mountain to Strahan Walking Time up to 3hrs
Cradle Mountain National Park

This morning we will pack up our belongings, load the bus and enjoy a selection of morning walks including the King Billy Walk. This walk takes in some of the oldest trees in the world including an ancient King Billy that is between 1500 and 2000 years old. Our walking complete, we will share a picnic lunch at the National Park & check out the visitor centre.
After lunch we will board our bus and drive west through Tullah and Rosebery to reach the Montezuma Falls. At 104m, they are one of the highest waterfalls in Tasmania and a relaxing walk to their base will take no more than 3 hours return. We spend our third night of the tour at the coastal town of Strahan.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Strahan to Lake St Clair Walking Time up to 3hrs
This morning we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Gordon River aboard the “Lady Jane Franklin ll”. Informative and interesting commentary is provided on board about the region's history and natural heritage and a buffet lunch is served as the World Heritage area slowly drifts by. In the afternoon we drive from Strahan to our accommodation at Derwent Bridge, a short drive from the
shores of Australia's deepest natural lake, Lake St. Clair. Our next two evenings are spent here in clean, comfortable multi-share cabins. If time & weather permits we will stop midway for a walk to Donaghy's Hill which provides spectacular views of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and Frenchman's Cap.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Distance up to 17km Walking Time up to 8hrs
Lake St Clair

Today we enjoy the opportunity of a full day's walk within the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park. The Mt. Rufus Circuit is a popular choice as we are provided with incredible views of the Du Cane Range, Mt. Olympus, Lake St Clair and deep into the ranges of the Southwest National Park. The circuit is graded moderately difficult, requiring us to walk uphill on a clearly marked track but with
plenty of rest breaks & encouragement from our guides it is achievable for anyone with a good level of general fitness. Tonight we return to our cabins for our last evening meal together in the Tasmanian Wilderness.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Lake St Clair to Launceston Walking Time up to 3hrs
After loading up the bus for the final time we will drive through the Central Plateau Conservation Area, passing the Great Lake before descending through the dolerite bluffs of the Western Tiers. We will enjoy a picnic lunch beside the Liffey River before enjoying a 45 min stroll to the cascading Liffey Falls. A short drive returns us to Launceston & arriving back at your accommodation at approx 5pm.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Other Details

Accommodation Details

5 night´s comfortable cabin accommodation (2-8 share)

We will be accommodated in self-contained, multi-share cabins. They are often bunk style and have shared bathroom facilities. Our cabin allocation will have been booked many months in advance and, depending upon group size, it is not always possible to provide you with your own room although your privacy and comfort is accommodated for as much as possible. Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone we will try to accommodate you with other people of the same sex and this usually sorts itself out naturally