Travel to Tasmania’s Cradle mountain with insider tips

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So many places, so little time. A good first-world problem, really. In this travel series, Yahoo Shopping brings you around the world with snippets of our friends and families’ fondest travel memories. We hope to nudge your wanderlust, pick up yet-to-try experiences and learn how people from other parts of the world eat, live, sleep and play. After all, we are all made up of memories and will only regret the actions we never took and the places we never tread. Now, go set that travel bug free!

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Sue Tham lives and breathes travel. In 2018, she quit her graphic design job to join a working holiday in New Zealand for 10 months. She worked as an apple picker, cafe manager cum barista, and hostel receptionist. Sue spent her days living her dreams, sketching during downtime, and exploring South and North New Zealand. Thereafter, she spent one and a half months travelling around Australia, The Big Outback. Counting fond memories such as hitchhiking, getting lost in the Cradle Mountains alone, staying overnight in a beat-up second-hand car to stretch her money further, and making wonderful friends worldwide. Sue is pursuing her next dream of opening a cafe in Johor Bahru.

Travel to Tasmania’s Cradle mountain with insider tips — The Overland Track, Australia. This is by far, one of the easier, paved route towards the mountains (in the background). PHOTO: Sue Tham

Fondest overseas hiking trip: The Overland Track, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

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Top 7 experiences and things to do in Tasmania

Bruny Island Food, Sightseeing & Lighthouse Tour, Tasmania. PHOTO: KKday

Lady looking close-up at Tasmania Devil behind an enclosed glass. — Port Arthur & Tassie Devils Tour, Tasmania. PHOTO: KKday

Lady holding a cup of lavender ice cream at the lavender day tour — Port Arthur & Lavender Day Tour from Hobart, Tasmania. PHOTO: KKday

Pilot showing the learner navigation buttons. — Learn to Fly Experience, Hobart. PHOTO: KKday

Two animals huddled together in Hobart. — Bruny Island Traveller Gourmet Tour from Hobart, Tasmania. PHOTO: KKday

Tasmania East Coast Wildlife Tour: Maria Island & Wineglass Bay. PHOTO: KKday

The coastal view of Tasman Island with boats cruising in the deep blue seas. — Tasman Island 3-Hour Cruise, Tasmania. PHOTO: KKday

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Sue en route to the peak of Cradle Mountain, Tasmania. PHOTO: Sue Tham

Highlight 1: Glorious nature

Glacial lakes, cirques, dolerite peaks, waterfalls, and lush greenery combine with an array of flora and fauna. It is an impressive hike from start to finish.

Highlight 2: Unusual animals

One of the best places to see rare animals of Tasmania, such as wombats, pademelons and black currawongs. High chance to see them along the trail.

Highlight 3: Numerous worthwhile hiking routes

These include the summits of Cradle Mountain and Mt. Ossa and the return trip to the Acropolis.

Tips for a hiking trip to Tasmania & countering its weather

Tip 1: Be prepared. Plan the trekking/hiking route properly, depending on your physical capability and mental state. Get in early to finish your trip before the day turns dark. The terrain to the summit is very rocky and steep, so be prepared for a strenuous hike. Always factor in additional time for getting lost, photo taking, and simply taking in the majestic nature.

Tip 2: Always check in at the visitor centre, especially if you need trail clarification. One of my greatest mistakes was not checking in with the authorities beforehand, finding out about that day’s hiking conditions, and getting first-hand information from the locals.

Tip 3: Trust your gut instincts and stay calm. Adapt to the conditions you are facing. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is not always accurate, so be prepared for cold and wet conditions and all kinds of weather.

Tip 4: Always follow marked paths, especially when hiking solo. The usual paths may not be apparent during the low season as the fall leaves, or snow, could cover the tracks. I almost got lost on a deserted path and applaud myself for trusting my instinct to backtrack and find an alternative marked trail.