American doing the Overland Track

[mpp]

I'm from the states and an avid hiker. I have the opportunity to go to Australia at no cost and, as I've been a few times before, I'd like to do something new. My plan is to hike the Overland track in February 2013. I've never been to Tasmania. I have several questions I hope I could get answered here.

1. Permit. If I apply for a permit on the first days available in July for a hike in February 2013 is it always available or is it so competitive that there is a chance of not getting one?

2. Timing. Unfortunately I am limited in time away from my job. My current flight plans would have me leaving the states Saturday evening, arriving in Launceston on a Monday evening. My plan is to stay in Launceston Monday night, get to Cradle Mountain on Tuesday morning to start the hike. I could then hike Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; but need to catch an early morning flight on Sunday from Hobart (or Launceston....whichever is easier) back to the States. Therefore I would leave Launceston on a Monday and hope to be back in town on a Saturday. From what I've read this should be feasible. I wish I had more time for the many side trips and so forth but I don't. Is this timing reasonable? Am I being too ambitious for first time on the track? I regularly hike 15 to 20 miles a day in mountainous terrain in the states (Rocky Mountains, Cascade range, etc.).

3. Transport. I've contacted a couple of companies in regards to providing transport from Launceston to Cradle Mountain; and then from Lake St. Clair to Hobart (or Launceston). They have quoted me prices in the range of $500-$600 which just seems kind of crazy to me. They say it would be cheaper if more people need transport those days but no guarantees. Is this really the typical cost? Or am I being taking advantage of as a dumb American? Are there cheaper alternatives?

4. Food and fuel (stove). Bringing stove fuel from the States is not possible of course. Is it very easy to buy fuel in Launceston? It seems some of the transport companies will sell fuel cannisters. If so, what are the typical Aussie stoves? I don't want to buy a stove in the states that is not compatible with the easiest fuel cannisters to get in Tasmania.

In regards to food, I plan to bring pre-packaged dehydrated meals from the states as I will not have time to buy in Australia. From what I gather from the Aussie customs website, this shouldn't be a problem. I just wanted to check here ensure that others have brought pre-packaged food from the states without difficulty. Is this Ok?

That's it for now. I would appreciate any help with my questions. I'm sure I will have more questions as the date comes closer. I'm really looking forward to this trip if I can make it happen.

[Nuts]

I dont have a lot of time to answer, ive just dropped a few comments on each paragraph:

I'm from the states and an avid hiker.

We wont hold that against you but prefer you call it what it is: bushwalking

I have the opportunity to go to Australia at no cost and, as I've been a few times before, I'd like to do something new. My plan is to hike the Overland track in February 2013. I've never been to Tasmania. I have several questions I hope I could get answered here.

1. Permit. If I apply for a permit on the first days available in July for a hike in February 2013 is it always available or is it so competitive that there is a chance of not getting one?

It is competitive, moreso for around the xmas/new year period, february should be ok but if you do need that specific day i would book asap.

2. Timing. Unfortunately I am limited in time away from my job. My current flight plans would have me leaving the states Saturday evening, arriving in Launceston on a Monday evening. My plan is to stay in Launceston Monday night, get to Cradle Mountain on Tuesday morning to start the hike. I could then hike Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; but need to catch an early morning flight on Sunday from Hobart (or Launceston....whichever is easier) back to the States. Therefore I would leave Launceston on a Monday and hope to be back in town on a Saturday. From what I've read this should be feasible. I wish I had more time for the many side trips and so forth but I don't. Is this timing reasonable? Am I being too ambitious for first time on the track? I regularly hike 15 to 20 miles a day in mountainous terrain in the states (Rocky Mountains, Cascade range, etc.).

Doable walking wise so long as transport doesn't let you down. There is a ferry on Lake St Clair (booked from the resort there) that will cut some 4/5hrs walking from the last day.

3. Transport. I've contacted a couple of companies in regards to providing transport from Launceston to Cradle Mountain; and then from Lake St. Clair to Hobart (or Launceston). They have quoted me prices in the range of $500-$600 which just seems kind of crazy to me. They say it would be cheaper if more people need transport those days but no guarantees. Is this really the typical cost? Or am I being taking advantage of as a dumb American? Are there cheaper alternatives?

They mostly book on a charter basis, the only way theuy can guarantee you a seat is if you cover the cost for the tim e taken. To Cradle/ back, to LSC and back is pretty much a full days work. They seem mostly pretty good about reducing the cost (for you) as others join for that day. There just aren't the numers for this to be guaranteed though. There are public services though you would be very lucky to make that timeframe.

4. Food and fuel (stove). Bringing stove fuel from the States is not possible of course. Is it very easy to buy fuel in Launceston? It seems some of the transport companies will sell fuel cannisters. If so, what are the typical Aussie stoves? I don't want to buy a stove in the states that is not compatible with the easiest fuel cannisters to get in Tasmania.

Butane/mix is common (ie MSR windpro/pocket rocket as examples) getting it organised on the day (in time) can be a bit of a problem unless someone has arranged it for you or you can be in a town during business hours. They do sell it from the Park visitors centre though I would ring the day prior to check supplies. Metho (spirits?) is also common

In regards to food, I plan to bring pre-packaged dehydrated meals from the states as I will not have time to buy in Australia. From what I gather from the Aussie customs website, this shouldn't be a problem. I just wanted to check here ensure that others have brought pre-packaged food from the states without difficulty. Is this Ok?

Oreos are banned, those things are horrible

That's it for now. I would appreciate any help with my questions. I'm sure I will have more questions as the date comes closer. I'm really looking forward to this trip if I can make it happen.

[Turfa]

I have brought freeze-dried foods back from the US to Australia several times with no problems. It seems to be a good idea to declare them on the customs form when you are entering the country. When you get to the quaratine inspection point they ask what you have, & when you tell them it is freeze-dried hiking food they just wave you through.....

[frank_in_oz]

As regards transport, contact Ian via here: http://www.mountainbiketasmania.com.au/. He is a good bloke and very experienced. He is just starting to promote transfers.

He might also be able to help with food , most of it is imported from the States anyway and available in Tasmania.

You might like this article by a fellow American, Alan.http://ourhikingblog.com.au/2008/05/bac ... -from.html walked with him a couple of years back.

Have a great trip, you will have a blast.

Frank

[mpp]

Thanks everybody for the info and links. I'll let you know how it goes getting the permit. Very much looking forward to my bushwalk!

[walking4charity]

I have brought freeze-dried foods back from the US to Australia several times with no problems. It seems to be a good idea to declare them on the customs form when you are entering the country. When you get to the quaratine inspection point they ask what you have, & when you tell them it is freeze-dried hiking food they just wave you through.....

It all depends on the customs official; I declared my freeze dried Expedition Food meals and all those containing meat were refused. I had to arrange to pick them up when I left Australia, three weeks later.
My advice would be to order some Backcountry Cuisine meals (they're some of the best I've tasted) online, and see if you can have them delivered to where you will be staying.

[mpp]

It all depends on the customs official; .

You are right about that. I once came into Australia after 2 years living in Zimbabwe. I was bringing with me a sack of dried caterpillars (meant for eating) which I declared. They let me pass through with that without problem. What was a problem to them was a wooden musical instrument which was from the USA. They "treated" it and let me through. Their treatment was to put a wire into each small hole they could find on the instrument to be sure there were no larvae inside.

Thanks for the tip. By the way was it only the "beef" meals or anything with any type of meat, i.e., chicken, etc. If so, I could I suppose go only with vegetarian type meals? I guess I can try to find an Australian distributor and have them shipped to the hotel in Launceston.

Anyways thanks for the tips.

[walking4charity]

It was all the meat options. An hour later my friend arrived on another flight and walked straight through!
Mind you, it was Sydney, maybe Tassie are more understanding of a bushwalkers needs.

Have fun. Its a great walk!

[Drifting]

Watch out for drop bears!

[biggbird]

particularly the mammoth variety!

[corvus]

What you intend doing is feasible only if you can guarantee your Transport and factoring your arrival/departure flights so the $500/$600 quote for two trips is not unreasonable as you are in reality looking at a Taxi service to ensure you dont miss your connection flights
corvus

[corvus]

By the way we dont have Koalas in Tas any more our ferocious Bandicoots pissed in their nests co-habited with their offspring and the babies were eaten by rabid Brush Tailed Possums and or Butcher Birds
corvus

[dazintaz]

Back in may I met a Canadian @pelion who walked that day from narcissus to Pelion hut with no sleeping bag,cooking equipment, spare clothes etc that night he slept In front of heater and woke every 30 mins to start heater !!!!!! Crazy!!!!!!! We all thought he was a psycho killer!!! Freaked us out I must say

[north-north-west]

Someone should have turned the gas off.