Planning The Cradle Mountain Trek
There were (and still are) only two options for the Cradle Mountain
There was only one private guiding service at that time, Cradle Huts and that is who we booked with. Now there are many other operators running this trip. You can also contact the following operators for information: Tasmania Wilderness Experiences, Tasmanian Expeditions, Tasman Bush Tours, and Tiger Trails Eco Adventures. Our preference is always let someone else do all the cooking and guiding if possible. (Ordering take-out is also good...)
Air? Fly to Australia on your airline of choice. We flew Quantas down to Melbourne and continued on to Launceston, Tasmania. After the trek, we were heading to Hobart, then Brisbane, the easiest connection to Papua New Guinea.
Visas? Americans must have an Australian visa. How to obtain one? Very simple...apply on line for your Australian Visa. Couldn't be any easier.
Travel Insurance? Definitely buy Cancellation, Emergency Evacuation and Medical Protection insurance. We never leave home without it. (Your vacation may have taken a year to save for, and a second to ruin Purchase Travel insurance through Travel Guard - Travel insurance starts at $30.)
Health? I always check the Centers for Disease Control updates to see what they suggest. No Malaria pills for this trip. Tetanus booster (we keep ours up-to-date religiously), and Hep A for inoculations. Bring your personal "drugs of choice." It would be necessary to boil the water, filter or use iodine tablets. Other than that, no food worries..
Equipment? We were going to rent a pack (have to carry everything you need for the entire trek), sleeping bag, waterproof jacket and waterproof overpants from Cradle Huts rather than bringing everything from home and schlepping it all on to New Guinea. Definitely needed hiking poles (our 3rd and 4th legs), flashlights, toilet paper, plastic water bottles -- the usual camping/trekking equipment plus gaiters. The gaiters are really necessary for the Overland Track's infamous muddy sections. Lots of layers were recommended because the weather is also notorious for rapid changes. Okay... threw in long underwear, another Goretex jacket, fleece, hats, gloves, and required hiking boots
Included? Overnight stays in Cradle Huts' four comfortable lodges. They were the only private accommodation allowed in this area at the time, with bunk beds, a potbelly stove, hot showers and our "Tassie" guide would prepare two hot meals every day along with sandwiches to take with for lunch.
Let's go....
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