Visit to Devils @ Cradle (at own expense)
Private cabin upgrade (subject to availability – additional cost)

Accommodation
• 3 nights at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain – comfortable two-bedroom cabin-style accommodation set on the edge of the World Heritage national park and surrounded by native bush
• Each cabin has one or two bedrooms with a mix of single, twin and queen beds, a small lounge with kitchenette, cosy gas log heating, TV and private outdoor balcony
• Shared bathroom facilities within your cabin; all towels and linen provided; laundry available on site

Meals
• Full meal service every day – breakfasts, lunches, two-course dinners plus heaps of snacks, fruit and non-alcoholic beverages on and off the trail
• Fresh regional Tasmanian produce prepared by your guides; communal dining in the guide’s cabin creates a warm, social atmosphere each evening
• Day 1: lunch and dinner; Days 2 & 3: breakfast, lunch and dinner; Day 4: breakfast and lunch

✅ What’s Included
• Two experienced, accredited guides who drive, cook and share local knowledge
• Return transfers from and to Launceston in a comfortable minibus
• 3 nights accommodation in two-bedroom cabins at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain
• All meals: breakfasts, lunches, two-course dinners plus daily snacks, fruit and non-alcoholic drinks
• All National Park entry fees
• Carbon offset program

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Alcoholic beverages
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Visit to Devils @ Cradle (optional at own expense)
• Private cabin upgrade (subject to availability)

Cradle Mountain weather is famously changeable year-round, even in summer.
• Spring (Sep–Nov) • Daytime 8–16 °C • Wildflowers and fewer crowds
• Summer (Dec–Feb) • Daytime 12–20 °C • Longer days but possible rain or snow
• Autumn (Mar–May) • Daytime 8–17 °C • Beautiful fagus colour changes
• Winter (Jun–Aug) • Daytime 2–10 °C • Snow possible on peaks

Practical note: Quality layered clothing and a reliable waterproof jacket are essential every day.

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Reusable water bottle (2-litre capacity)

Clothing (layered for alpine conditions)
• Worn-in walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Quick-dry walking pants and long-sleeve shirts
• Warm fleece or insulated layer plus waterproof rain jacket and pants
• Wide-brimmed hat, beanie, gloves and spare socks

Toiletries & First Aid
• Personal toiletries, sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent
• Basic first-aid kit, blister plasters and any personal medication

Electronics
• Charged phone with camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Lightweight camp shoes for evenings
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting
• Small daypack and walking poles if you use them

Luggage note: Soft bag only – main luggage stays at the cabins each day.

Key Local Insights
Cradle Mountain forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, one of the last great intact temperate rainforests on Earth.
King billy pine and myrtle beech forests you’ll walk through can be over 1,000 years old.
Wombats are commonly seen grazing on the buttongrass plains around Ronny Creek in the late afternoon.
Fagus (deciduous beech) turns brilliant colours in autumn, one of the few native deciduous trees in Australia.
Marion’s Lookout offers the classic postcard view of Cradle Mountain across Dove Lake.
Gustav Weindorfer built Waldheim Chalet in 1912 and helped establish the area as a tourist destination.
Glacial lakes like Twisted Lakes and Crater Lake were carved by ice during the last ice age.
Guides constantly monitor weather because conditions can change rapidly in the alpine zone.

Cradle Mountain is the traditional Country of the Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people, who have lived in this landscape for over 40,000 years.

The distinctive cradle-shaped peak was carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age, leaving behind dramatic U-shaped valleys and glacial lakes.

Dove Lake is a classic glacial lake with mirror-like reflections of Cradle Mountain — one of Tasmania’s most photographed scenes.

The area contains some of the world’s oldest King Billy pines, with individual trees estimated to be over 2,000 years old.

Cradle Mountain forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, recognised for its outstanding natural and cultural values.

The park supports unique wildlife including Tasmanian devils, wombats, platypus, and the tiny eastern quoll.

The famous Overland Track (which this tour samples) is one of Australia’s premier multi-day walks, stretching 65 km to Lake St Clair.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Cradle Mountain Explorer 4-Day Hike: Tasmania Wilderness Trek

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 680 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average travel to/from Launceston)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 1,360 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 4 days / 3 nights
• Max 10–12 guests
• Starts and ends in Launceston, Tasmania
• Private transfers Launceston ↔ Cradle Mountain + shuttle bus pass + 4WD mini-coach
• 3 nights deluxe twin-share ensuite cabins at Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain (heating, Wi-Fi)
• Meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners + daily snacks & hot drinks (dietary needs catered)
• Highlights: ~40 km guided walking (Dove Lake Circuit, Crater Lake, King Billy Track, Enchanted Walk), wombat spotting, ancient rainforest and alpine views

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
• Key locations: Launceston start/end, Cradle Mountain National Park (Dove Lake, Crater Lake, Marion’s Lookout, King Billy Track)
• Travel style: Moderate guided wilderness walking tour with lodge base
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Travel to/from Launceston is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for shuttle/mini-coach and lodge operations in a World Heritage area.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or optional single supplements).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 180 kg CO₂e

• Average travel to/from Launceston (higher-end domestic flights): 120 kg
• All on-tour private transfers + shuttles (~300 km shared): 60 kg – higher-end diesel factor

Accommodation – 105 kg CO₂e

• 3 nights deluxe ensuite cabins (heating, facilities): 35 kg per night – higher-end for remote lodge energy

Meals & Food – 80 kg CO₂e

• 4 full days of meals + snacks (Tasmanian produce): 20 kg per day – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 315 kg CO₂e

• ~40 km guided walks, park fees, interpretation and wildlife viewing

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 680 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 680 kg = 1,360 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices; our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

How far do we walk each day?
Daily distances range from 6 km to 10 km. Total walking is about 33 km with only a daypack.

What fitness level is required?
Moderate fitness is recommended. Grades range from easy (Grade 2) to moderate-more difficult (Grade 3–4). Guides adjust the pace.

Is the accommodation private?
Two-bedroom cabins with shared bathroom within the cabin. Single supplement gives you a bedroom to yourself but you may share the cabin. Private cabin upgrades available on request.

Are meals suitable for dietary needs?
Yes – most dietary requirements can be accommodated if you advise at booking. Menus use fresh regional produce.

Do I need to carry my main luggage?
No. Your main bag stays at the cabins each day. You only carry a daypack.

What is the group size?
Maximum 10 guests with two guides for a personal small-group experience.

Can I swim during the tour?
There may be short opportunities at lakes or streams depending on conditions and time.

What happens if the weather is bad?
Guides may adjust the itinerary for safety while still delivering the best possible experience. Good wet-weather gear is essential.

Is travel insurance required?
Strongly recommended. Please check your policy covers walking in alpine areas and cancellation.

When is the best time to go?
The walk runs year-round and each season has its own beauty – summer for longer days, autumn for colour, spring for wildflowers.