Getting from Hobart to Cradle Mountain, and when?

[fishboy]

I've tried searching the forums but can't find anything that deals with this question specifically.

We are starting and finishing in Hobart and wondering what the best way to get to the start of the OT is? We have a party of four so we're thinking about chartering a mini bus to take us straight there from Hobart. My question is - should we leave first thing in the morning from Hobart and walk the first leg of the OT that day, or should we arrive in the afternoon, spend a night at the start of the track and then set off the next morning? I've heard that I should take the latter option, but I can't see why. Can anyone tell me what the usual suggestion is for people coming from Hobart?

[tasadam]

My answer to this can be found in this post.
In short, leave early enough and don't muck about on the 1st day and you should be ok at getting to Waterfall Valley on the 1st day. But, if something holds you up, eg slow trip, traffic, weather etc... Then you might like to take advantage of the campground at Cradle & start the next day, utilizing the shuttle bus which is just down the road from the campground, short walk.

Oh, as for transport, you think Tassie would have it figured out by now. Alas, I think transport to & from Cradle & Cynthia Bay are the biggest hurdles of so many!

[Steve73]

Also depends on how tight your schedule is. Personally I'd prefer to camp at the start overnight and begin the next day early. That way you're not rushed and will have plenty of time to climb Cradle Mountain/Barn Bluff if you want.

[fishboy]

Not a tight schedule. That being the case, would most people agree it would be better stay night before than bus it out from Hobart early in the morning?

[Steve73]

Others may disgagree but that's what I would do, and is exactly what my wife and I did. Then again we like to take our time whilst hiking, we're always getting passed by people

[Erica]

Also depends on how tight your schedule is. Personally I'd prefer to camp at the start overnight and begin the next day early. That way you're not rushed and will have plenty of time to climb Cradle Mountain/Barn Bluff if you want.

remember, that whatever you decide, if the weather's nice when you stay at Waterfall Valley, you can always backtrack and climb Barny (really really recommend going up there, lovely walk) also, if you're going to be pushed for time on the first day/want to start that day, you could go to Scott Kilvert Hut, only a few hours walk.

[fishboy]

If we stay at Cradle Mountain for a night first and then start walking the next morning as suggested, will we need to book our OT departure date for the evening we arrive, or the following day when we set off?

Also - would we be staying in paying "camping ground", or just a camping spot like any other along the trail?

Thanks!

[fishboy]

^Does anyone know the answer to this??

[tas-man]

You book for the day you depart, and if you get there the day before, will need to book into one of the camping grounds or accommodation facilities, as there is no NP camping permitted in the Cradle Mt Day walk areas - first camping area is at Waterfall Valley. You will find plenty of links by googling, but here's one to start you off. http://www.discovertasmania.com/accommodation

[Florelei]

Hi,
I'm a French student currently living in Sydney, and I would like to take advantage of the summer break coming soon to enjoy as many places as possible in Australia!
My first wish is to do the Overland Track in December and it seems that I have the same question concerning the way to get to the start!
Sorry if the answer is already within this topic, but I couldn't find it (probably because of my English skills...).
The thing is I can get really cheap flight from Melbourne to Hobart or more expensive one from Melbourne to Devonport.
As Hobart doesn't seem too far from Cradle Mountain, I would like to know if there is any bus going there or train and how much could they cost ??

Also, I agree to pay enter fee to protect the environment and to limit the number of hikers (as I'll do with the National park fee), but $160 is more expensive than the flight return and the food during the whole walk... I've heard that it's possible to do most of the OT without paying this fee if we use other ways/paths. Does anyone already did this kind of walk ?

Thanks for your help.

Florian

[tastrekker]

G'day Florian,

It is great to hear you want to do the Overland Track!

Bushwalker transport is often discussed on these forums. It is difficult as Tasmania's population is small and car ownership/convenience is high. We have little public transport outside the main cities.

Two companies do the main road from Hobart to Devonport:
http://www.redlinecoaches.com.au/pdf/mainroad.pdf
http://www.tassielink.com.au/timetables ... 202010.pdf

One of those companies also goes Cradle Mt and Lake St Clair:
http://www.tassielink.com.au/timetables ... 202010.pdf

They also have Overland Track walking prices. E.g. Hobart to Cradle then Lake St Clair to Hobart is $72.80 for a student:
http://www.tassielink.com.au/walking-track-fares.htm

If you want to avoid doing the whole thing, the alternative is to use the Arm River Track and just do the northern or southern half of the track. In the topic below, a number of companies are listed who do charter trips to virtually any destination you like but there's obviously a high price if you are on your own. A good option could be to contact them and see if someone else is already paying for a trip. You could then share the cost and save money:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5112#p61542

All the best!