WALK CRADLE MOUNTAIN

Today is an arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive any time into Launceston and make your own way to the Hotel Grand Chancellor in the heart of the city. Your accommodation has been booked in a deluxe twin or deluxe king room. Accommodation is based on twin share (note: solo travellers will need to pay a single supplement cost of $75).

Tonight enjoy a free evening to explore one of the many restaurants in Launceston, alternatively dine in the hotel’s restaurant (at one’s own expense).

DEPARTURE TIME

 7.30am

TRANSFER TIMES

Morning: 2-hour transfer from Launceston to the trail.

Afternoon: 15-minute transfer from the end of the walk to accommodation.

MAIN WALK GRADE

Walk 9.4km circuit. 5 hours walking with breaks. A good level of fitness is required. Medium Grade.

TERRAIN

Formed trails with occasional rocky sections and boardwalk. Some short inclines. For those choosing the Hansons Peak option, there is a steep ascent and descent over rough, rocky terrain.

WALK ITINERARY

Enjoy breakfast in the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston. After meeting your friendly guides in the foyer of the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston at 7.30am, we’ll begin the drive through rich fertile farmlands and quaint villages to arrive in Sheffield, the town famous for its Murals and the incredible backdrop of Mount Rolland.

After our coffee stop, we’ll drive another hour to arrive at Cradle Mountain where the real adventure begins. Today we will start walking through button grass plains, following Ronny Creek to the historic Waldheim Chalet, the chalet holds great significance to the Cradle Mountain National Park and sits among ancient King Billy Pines and moss-covered Myrtles.

We continue our walk past the stunning Lake Lilla, where views of Cradle Mountain start to come into sight. From here the trail joins the Dove Lake circuit track which bypasses the iconic wooden boat shed, The Ballroom Forest, secluded little bays and ancient endemic trees. During the walk our guides bring the place to life, pointing out the unique local flora and fauna which help make this place so special.

Afterwards, we make our way to our accommodation at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge where we enjoy fine dining perfectly matched with Tasmanian wines in one of Tasmania’s most beautiful dining rooms – The Highland Restaurant.

TRANSFER TIMES

Morning: 15 minute transfer from accommodation to trail.

Afternoon: 15 minute transfer from the end of the walk to accommodation.

FLEXIBLE WALKING

Option to add an extra 2kms to the walk to Cradle Mountain summit.

MAIN WALK GRADE

Walk 10.2kms. Walk with inclines total climbing 760m. 6-7 hours walking with breaks. Medium Grade. Good level of fitness required.

OPTIONAL CRADLE MTN SUMMIT

Total kilometres for the day for those choosing this option is 12.2km. Hard Grade. Excellent level of fitness and agility required as involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50%.

TERRAIN

Today’s main walk follows formed trails with rocky sections, some boardwalk and stairs with a steep, rocky climb to Marion’s Peak. For those choosing the side trip to Cradle Mountain summit expect steep climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling with some exposure.

WALK ITINERARY

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before setting out on the day’s adventure. We follow the traditional start to the famous Overland Track, incorporating Crater Lake and Crater Falls, then up Marion’s Peak where on a clear day you can see the Walls of Jerusalem plateau.

A billy break at Kitchen Hut gives a chance to rest and appreciate Cradle Mountain from its base. The mountain is a remarkable sight being made up of high narrow ridge with dolerite cliffs on both sides.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN SUMMIT OPTION

Weather permitting – The more active members of our group can choose an additional optional walk to the summit of Cradle Mountain to take in magnificent views across the Tasmanian Highlands  (a 3-hour return climb from Kitchen Hut). For those who attempt this please note this additional walk to the summit involves rock climbing, boulder hopping and rock scrambling 50% of the time and requires good agility and fitness.

Lunch is at the summit to ensure you have time to appreciate one of the best views in Tasmania.

Please note this option is only available when the weather is suitable – the guide will make the call on the day whether this walk proceeds, based on safety.

On our walk back to our hotel we pass the impressive, but equally beautiful, lesser mountains of Weindorfers Tower and Little Horn finally passing the Twisted Lakes and Lake Hanson. This is one of the best walks in Tasmania.

Tonight enjoy a superb dinner featuring local produce and Tasmanian wine in the delightful Highland Restaurant.

Note: When there are 8 or more passengers on tour, we have two guides offering a choice of two walking options – our main walk and the Cradle Mountain Summit option. Tours with 7 or fewer people will only have 1 guide and therefore the whole group will need to select the same option. Please feel free to check with our office when booking.

TRANSFER TIMES

Morning: 15 minute transfer from our accommodation to the start of the trail.

Afternoon: 2 hour transfer from Lodge to the Grand Chancellor Launceston.

WALK GRADE

Walk 5.6km circuit. 2.5 hours walking with breaks. Medium Grade. Moderate to Good level of fitness required.

TERRAIN

Natural track, which is uneven with some easy rock scrambling, and sections of good boardwalk. Walk includes short steep inclines; total climbing 160m.

WALK ITINERARY

This morning after a delicious breakfast, we head out or the last of our walks to stunning Dove Canyon. This appealing walk meanders through a wide variety of vegetation, including button grass plains, open forest, myrtle rainforest and the deep valley of the canyon. During this walk you will visit the rugged gorges and lovely waterfalls that have been eroded by Pencil Pine Creek and Dove River.

Afterwards we join a sensational scenic helicopter flight over Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain for a stunning view of this alpine region. This will give you a view like no other, and allow you to get appreciate the grandeur of Cradle Mountain and the Central Highlands, with up close views of the dramatic peaks. We return to Launceston arriving at approximately 5.00pm via a transfer service.

DEPARTURE TIME

We depart Cradle Mountain at 3.00pm arriving into Launceston at around 5 -5.30pm.

OPTIONAL 4 DAY WALK
For those up to the challenge, why not add an additional day’s walking experience to your Cradle Mountain walk as we take you into the remote Walls of Jerusalem. This is a challenging day’s walk, rated as hard. Only accessible by foot you’ll see stunning views of King David’s Peak, Solomon’s Jewels and Herod’s Gate