Days
7 Days
Tour Type
Walking
$3,120 Twin Share
- Start
-
Hobart
- Finish
-
Launceston
- Physical Rating
- Moderate to challenging
- Tour Distance
- Approx. 80km
- Group size
- Min 4, Max 12
- Code
- TASCH
Overview
Walk the iconic and picturesque tracks of the Central Highlands of Tasmania over 7 days. Includes the Overland Track, Mt Field National Park as well as some of the best walks in the Cradle Mountain area. Starting in Hobart you will travel up the Centre of Tasmania staying in comfortable accommodation in Maydena, Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain. Each day you will walk with only a day pack and return to your accommodation each evening to relax and recap your days adventure.
Highlights of this walk
Incredible and varied scenic beauty – from mountain vistas to cool moss-covered forests and glacial landscapes, the Central Highlands of Tasmania has it all. The walks are mostly challenging, but with challenge comes the satisfying reward of achievement and splendid vistas that will buoy your spirit to remember. Also, there are echidnas and wombats.
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Itinerary
Arrive at any time during the day and make your way to your first nights stay in Hobart. We will see you in the lobby of the hotel at 6pm for a tour briefing followed by a 7pm welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Travelodge Hobart (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Departing early from Hobart we make our way to Mt Field National Park where we set out on the park's flagship walk, the Tarn Shelf Walk. A steep drive up to Lake Dobson brings us to the start from where we will get up to and along the Tarn Shelf. A bit of a climb gets us up to the small mountain lakes, or tarns, of the Rodway Range, with magnificent views over the glacier-formed landscape.
You will think you are in the Lord of the Rings as we pass through this amazing country. Lunch will be up on the tarn with great views, before we enter a more wooded part of the trail and back to Lake Dobson. Today's walk is challenging and quite long, but well worth the views and scenery of this absolutely stunning area.
Accommodation: Giants Table Cottages (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It's a couple of hours drive to Lake St Clair where we'll take a nice walk on the iconic Overland Track. We will take the ferry to Echo Point and walk back to the main settlement alongside the picturesque lake. We walk through an enchanting temperate rainforest. Sassafras, myrtle, celery-top pine and leatherwood provide a thick canopy for the moses, lichens and fungi below.
Accommodation: Lake St Clair Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A challenging but amazing day walking the Mt Rufus circuit awaits us! This 22km walk takes us through a wide variety of vegetation and landscapes as we make our way up to the summit of Mt Rufus. From the summit the views over the surrounding mountain ranges are sensational.
There is an option for those who want a shorter day to do the Shadow Lake Circuit. This reduces the walk by about 2 hours and cuts out most of the vertical ascent.
At the end of the day we can walk straight into our Lake St Clair cabins and enjoy a rejuvenating shower.
Accommodation: Lake St Clair Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a mixture of driving and walking. First up it's a 3 hour drive to Cradle Mountain, a great time to recover after yesterday's strenuous walk and get your energy back for your afternoon walk in Cradle Mountain.The views of the passing landscape are absolutely incredible as we drive. At Cradle Mountain we will complete the popular and picturesque Dove Lake Circuit before heading to our accommodation.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depending on the weather and the energy levels of the group, there are a number of options for today's walk. We'll enjoy imposing mountain vistas, pristine glacial lakes, vast buttongrass plains and an all round fantastic day of walking. This is a fairly busy park - and we'll see why! This is the start point of the world renown Overland track.
It's a short drive out of the park to our 2nd night at the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There's still time for one last walk this morning. With lots of options we will choose a walk based on the weather conditions. We then say goodbye to the wild mountain country and head to our departure city of Launceston, arriving mid-late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
Meals
-
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
-
All transport in a private mini bus
Accommodation
-
During our time in Tasmania we’ll stay in variety of accommodation from comfortable, self contained cottages and cabins to motel style rooms. Accommodation is on a double or twin share basis. A limited number of single supplements are available – please let us know if you would like this option when booking.
1 night: Travelodge Hotel Hobart
Located in the heart of Hobart, we will stay here for the first night before an early departure for Mt Field National Park the next day. To celebrate our journey ahead we will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Rooms are standard Twin share/Queen rooms with ensuites.
1 night: Giants Table Cottages
Basic but comfortable self-contained cottages and houses in the little mountain town of Maydena, situated in the beautiful Derwent Valley region of South West Tasmania. We will spread out over two or three cottages, and enjoy dinner at the accommodation’s restaurant.
2 nights: Lake St Clair Cabins
Staying within a few hundred metres of the lake itself, this is a real gem! Rimmed by mountains and forest, Lake St Clair is a real highlight of Tasmania. We will spread out across a number of cabins in park grounds and enjoy dinner together in the lodge’s restaurant one night and the next at a local restaurant.
2 nights: Cradle Mountain Discovery Holiday Park – cabins
Located on the perimeter of the World-Heritage listed Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park, home of the famous Cradle Mountain in Tasmania’s Western Wilderness. We’ll spread out over a number of basic but comfortable self contained cabins. We’ll enjoy our evening meals at the Cradle Mountain Lodge tavern bar and bistro.
At all of the locations we will come together in one of the houses/cabins for breakfast and to make our packed lunches for the days walk. Dinner will enjoyed at a variety of local restaurants for the the tour.
Included activities
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Professional guiding and support each day
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Emergency support: guides carry satellite phones and a full first aid kit
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Ferry tickets and National Park entrance fees
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Excellent itinerary and planning drawn from 20 yrs experience
Dates & Availability
Important Notes
- Single Supplement: A single supplement is bookable, subject to availability at the time of booking. Single supplement provides you with your own room but with shared bathroom facilities.
- Start & End Times: This trip begins at the Lobby of the Travelodge Hobart at 6pm on Day 1 for a Welcome Meeting and group dinner, as the first night accommodation and dinner is included in the tour. We will pick you up from outside reception in the morning at 8am. At the end of the tour, we generally get into Launceston mid-late afternoon and will drop you off at the accommodation, generally the Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston (conveniently located in the CBD of Launceston).
- 2024 Itinerary changes: If you are travelling with us in 2024 please note that there is one change to the current itinerary. Accommodation will be Giants Table Cottages on Day 2.
- In the event of unforeseeable circumstances that require a modification to the itinerary or accommodation, we will make every effort to provide a suitable alternative.
FAQs
Tasmania Walks FAQs
How should I prepare for the walks in Tasmania?
Most of the walks on this tour are moderate to challenging – and are more challenging without adequate preparation. Tasmania seems to be made of hills, and we’re set to climb a lot of them, which can be hard on the knees, thighs and glutes. However, the walks are achievable to those of good fitness. Training prior to the tour will ensure you enjoy it and reduce your chance of injury.
The best way to prepare physically for the trip is to walk up and down hills or stairs, over a variety of surfaces. Try to walk frequently. By the start of our tour you should be able to comfortably walk 15 km and be confident up and down hills.
One great tip to prepare for the rocky surfaces is to step over a series of milk crates. The key with rocky terrain is to lift up your leg nice and high.
Posted in: Tasmania Walks FAQs
How hard are the walks in Tasmania?
By our estimation, most of our guests will find the tour roughly;
30% easy, 55% moderate and about 15% challenging.
For those who choose to do the summit of Mt Rufus (optional walk on the Central Highlands Tour), the percentage of challenge, would be slightly higher.
Posted in: Tasmania Walks FAQs
About Walking Tours In General
How hard are the walks?
The difficulty of the walks ranges from tour to tour, from easy to challenging. We design all of our walking tours to be achievable for those with a moderate level of fitness. We do recommend doing some training before most tours, because physical activity is always more enjoyable if you are physically prepared. We will send you information about how to train when you book.
When on tour we find that a positive mental attitude is most important and that if you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, and not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. You can always have a day or sometimes an afternoon off to relax if you feel like it. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete a walk, give us a call or send us an email and we can talk you through it.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Do I have to twin-share accommodation? Can I have my own room?
Our tour prices are based on rooms being twin share (two single beds in one room) or double (one double/queen bed in a room, shared by a couple). If you are travelling alone, we will place you in a room with someone of the same gender. If you have opted for a single supplement, this means you will have your own room but we won’t always be able to guarantee your own bathroom and king/queen bed due to the types of accommodation we use for group bookings. Often we stay at 2 or 3 bedroom chalets so that we can cook and have a common area for the group to relax and mingle at the end of your days walk. If having your own bathroom is important, give us a ring and we will see if it is possible.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Will I hold up the group if I’m a slow walker?
We find a lot of people who haven’t been on a walking tour before worry about this, but it’s rarely an issue. We keep a comfortable steady pace with plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the scenery along the way. Usually the group will spread out over a couple of hundred metres as we walk.
Normal walking pace on a formed surface like a road or footpath is around 4.5 – 6 km per hour and we tend to average just over 3 km per hour on bush tracks. It’s not a stroll but it’s not a brisk walk either. If you feel you may be slower than this, try some longer training walks to increase your walking fitness.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What is the average age of Inspiration Outdoors’ guests?
About 80% of our walkers are aged between 45 – 75, but we welcome all adults on our tours. We get a roughly 60/40 female to male split.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
What’s the food like? Can you cater for my dietary needs?
We serve simple, nutritious and delicious food on tour prepared by our guides, using fresh and local ingredients as much as possible. Sometimes we also eat out at restaurants. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles and a two course evening meal are all included. We are happy to adapt our menu to suit many dietary needs including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets – please ask when you book.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Are your walking tours just for “bushwalkers”?
Our walks are for anyone who enjoys walking and nature – bushwalkers or not. Our walks are conducted in safe, supportive and fun environments and you don’t need specialised equipment or experience to undertake them. We give you information about what you will need to bring and how you should prepare for each tour and we’re always here to answer any questions or concerns.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
Do I have to walk every day on tour?
Of course not – it’s your holiday and you should do what you feel! Relax at the accommodation, come for a drive, get dropped off in town or go for a stroll of your own. On some days there is also the opportunity to walk for part of the day. This last option depends on whether there is vehicle access to the track.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What do I have to carry when I walk?
Very little. A water bladder or bottles, lunch/snacks/fruit for the day. a rain jacket, some personal first aid supplies and, on some days, lunch. You will probably want a camera as well. We return to accommodation each evening so there is no need to carry a large backpack.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Not sure if this is the right tour for you?
At Inspiration Outdoors, we understand that choosing the right tour can be a difficult decision. That’s why we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible. If you still have questions, give us a call or drop us a line. Whether it’s a question about the tour itinerary or your fitness level, our customer care team is ready to answer it. We have product specialists for every tour who are eager to share their knowledge and help you plan your next adventure.
What our customers say
Our Booking Process
What happens after I book?
After you have filled in a registration form, we will send you all extra information you may need, including a list of what to bring and how best to prepare for the tour.
Payment in full is required at least six weeks prior to the tour (bookings can still be made within six weeks of tour start date if there are places available). We will email or call you to remind you when this is due.
Finally, we will contact you prior to your tour to confirm pick-up times and locations. If you have any questions or concerns at all before or after you have booked, please don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can go through them with you.
What are my payment options?
Payment can be made by:
- Direct deposit
- Cheque
- Credit card
Can I cancel my booking?
If you need to cancel your tour;
(a) 84 days or more prior to departure, we will refund your deposit minus $50 administration fee;(b) 30 and 84 days prior to departure, loss of deposit
(c) between 24 and 29 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 25% of the total booking cost;
(d) between 15 and 23 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the total booking cost;
(e) 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost.
If you have any concerns about cancelling, please take out travel insurance covering this contingency. This policy will be adhered to despite the most compelling and compassionate circumstances.
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