Hiking Guide: A few great Australian trails
Two that involve a tent, another that is fully luxe!
OK, let’s continue this series of my favourite hikes, most of which are featured in my book This One Wild and Precious Life. You can catch up on the My Best Adventures in Europe here. And My Favourite UK hikes here:
Today’s batch details The Cradle Mountain Hike in Tasmania, and two multi-day hikes outside of Sydney that can be done over a weekend and are accessible by train. If you want to see more of the hikes I’ve done in Australia check out my Highlights on Instagram or type #sarahwilsonhikes into search.
The Cradle Mountain Hike, Tasmania, Australia
This hike in Central-West Tasmania, also called The Overland Track, is one of the most famous in the world, and it would have to be in part for its pristineness. The air in this part of Tasmania is said to be the purest in the world (Chinese companies, literally, bottle it) and the region is one of only two national parks on the World Heritage List to tick off all the heritage criteria.
Cradle Mountain can be done in two ways
Self-guided: Camping or staying in basic public cabins (with bunk beds in a large communal room, communal stoves and running water).
Guided: Staying in private huts, packs, wet-weather gear, passes, bedding and all meals and snacks provided. Glamping at its best!
I did this hike guided, but provide details for both options below, and explain how to turn the hike into a 10-day foodie and exploration getaway.
Hike Details
Distance: 65km + Add 20km for side trips (recommended).
Add an additional 17.5 km if on the final day, instead of taking the ferry you decide to walk the length of Lake St Clair to the Lake St Clair Visitors Centre.
Difficulty: After a steep climb to Marion’s Lookout on Day 1, the main track then remains on alpine plateaus at around 1000m elevation and is gently undulating.