Request for info regarding inexperienced hikers!

[ActusReus]

Howdy

My brother (18) and I (22) will be in Tasmania during early July - for around a week.

We are both interested in doing some bushwalking...

We are both fairly fit (squad swimmers) - but have limited bushwalking experience (nothing more than a few multi hour treks).

We won't have access to a car, so will be relying on public transport/buses. We haven't decided whether to fly into Launceston or Hobart yet, whichever is more interesting and convenient..

I've been looking at lots of websites, but a bit confused and overwhelmed with the options. We would like to try maybe a 3 or 4 day hike, but we are aware that we are unexperienced and are probably lacking suitable equipment (we have standard tents/sleeping bags - but these have only been used for Victorian summer trips!).

Any suggestions on what we should attempt that would be within our capacity but still provide nice scenery and is accessible via public transport?

Thanks so much

[johnw]

[snip]Tasmania during early July - for around a week.
both fairly fit (squad swimmers) - but have limited bushwalking experience (nothing more than a few multi hour treks).
try maybe a 3 or 4 day hike, but we are aware that we are unexperienced and are probably lacking suitable equipment (we have standard tents/sleeping bags - but these have only been used for Victorian summer trips!).

Any suggestions on what we should attempt that would be within our capacity but still provide nice scenery and is accessible via public transport?[/snip]

This is one of the coldest periods in Tasmania and you are likely to get snow at higher altitudes (at least).
Can you could post the specific details of the gear you already have? This would help determine how appropriate it might be for Tassie conditions.
My initial thoughts are east coast destinations, such as Freycinet, Bay of Fires or the Tasman Peninsula, as the winter weather conditions are generally milder than the highland areas. Transport is always problematic in my experience. Most destinations can be reached, but it can be expensive.

[frenchy_84]

We haven't decided whether to fly into Launceston or Hobart yet, whichever is more interesting

Pretty straight forward then

[Son of a Beach]

Public transport in Tasmania is really only for the major towns, and not of much use for bushwalking destinations. However, there are a few private companies that you can book for transport to most bushwalking locations. Some of these have posted in the adverts forum here.

PS. hmm... they've since been pruned by the auto-pruning in that forum (was set to idle 60 days, I've now changed it to 2 idle years). From memory, one of them was forum member "tigerlee", or something like that. There were one or two others as well.

[ActusReus]

[snip]Tasmania during early July - for around a week.
both fairly fit (squad swimmers) - but have limited bushwalking experience (nothing more than a few multi hour treks).
try maybe a 3 or 4 day hike, but we are aware that we are unexperienced and are probably lacking suitable equipment (we have standard tents/sleeping bags - but these have only been used for Victorian summer trips!).

Any suggestions on what we should attempt that would be within our capacity but still provide nice scenery and is accessible via public transport?[/snip]

This is one of the coldest periods in Tasmania and you are likely to get snow at higher altitudes (at least).
Can you could post the specific details of the gear you already have? This would help determine how appropriate it might be for Tassie conditions.
My initial thoughts are east coast destinations, such as Freycinet, Bay of Fires or the Tasman Peninsula, as the winter weather conditions are generally milder than the highland areas. Transport is always problematic in my experience. Most destinations can be reached, but it can be expensive.

Hi John, thanks for the reply...

I had a look at our sleeping bags and I am thinking they probably won't be up for the task. We have about 5 different ones stowed away...Some are my parents (circa 1970s) - not sure how suitable they would be as the labels didn't seem to indicate what their rating was, but the newer ones I was thinking of taking said they were suitable for a mild climate! As for the tents I'm not sure of the brand but they are something a bit like this http://media.supercheapauto.com.au/rays ... 167577.jpg - I'm guessing they may be similarly inappropriate! We'd prefer not to outlay lots of money on new equipment etc, so do you think with a combination of warm clothing etc we could manage for a couple of days? This is the only time of the year that we are both available to do this trip, so although it may be wise to postpone until a warmer time, its the only time we have!

We haven't decided whether to fly into Launceston or Hobart yet, whichever is more interesting

Pretty straight forward then

Haha I know nothing about Tasmania - which would you recommend?

Public transport in Tasmania is really only for the major towns, and not of much use for bushwalking destinations. However, there are a few private companies that you can book for transport to most bushwalking locations. Some of these have posted in the adverts forum here.

Thanks for that, I'll take a look!

[frenchy_84]

We haven't decided whether to fly into Launceston or Hobart yet, whichever is more interesting

Pretty straight forward then

Haha I know nothing about Tasmania - which would you recommend?

I would recommend Hobart, it is a nice place to visit, especially in Winter, it might be cold, but having a beer down in Salamanca with snow on the mountain in the background is pretty good. While Launceston has ummm....

There are nicer mountains nearby as well but they probably require better gear and your own transport.

Have you thought of doing the overland track? In winter is about the only time to do it these days as your not sharing it will hundreds of other people. Would require more days than what you were planning though.

[ActusReus]

Hi Frenchy, thanks for the advice.

Hobart sounds nice!

I have thought about doing the Overland track - it sounds amazing. But, considering our lack of experience and lack of good gear I thought it might be foolish to attempt it? What do you think? I think we could physically manage, but without snow gear or extensive hiking experience is it advisable?? I'd be happy to add a few days to the itinerary if it was...

[taswegian]

I'd second the east coast.
July can see some of our most miserable weather and expect anything in that including bucketloads of rain and wet and more wet.
I don't mean to dampen the enthusiasm but you do need reality.

I also second Hobart.
I'm a northerner and in case you haven't guessed there is a north south attitude like Sydney-Melbourne here in Tassie. Nothing serious just that it exists.

(funnee though many southerners make it to the north to see our magnificent mountains )

(Just Joking)

Admin we need a 'joke only' emoticon Funny you should mention that. - mod applied (like it?)

But jokes aside- the other matter you mention and I'd suggest most important is transport. We may be a small place but its a long way if Shank's pony is the only way to get somewhere.
You do need to check that out.

Also if you intend flying cheap, then check what is available as that can affect where you fly into.

Its a great place and much to see and you won't see much in as short a time as that but enjoy and come back later.

I removed a post here earlier to try to limit (stop) another north/south debate. Please tread carefully everyone.

[ActusReus]

Thanks for the reply taswegian... A dose of reality is what I'm after!

So looks like Hobart is the place to visit - and I can see some cheap flights, so that should work out alright. I was thinking of spending maybe a day looking around Hobart, a couple of day trips (maybe a day hike and a trip to Port Athur??) and a 3 or 4 day hike if we were up for it...

I guess what I'd like is advice on whether we would be suitably resourced/experienced to do any overnight++ hikes in Tas during winter, considering our limited gear and expertise!

[frenchy_84]

I have thought about doing the Overland track - it sounds amazing. But, considering our lack of experience and lack of good gear I thought it might be foolish to attempt it? What do you think? I think we could physically manage, but without snow gear or extensive hiking experience is it advisable?? I'd be happy to add a few days to the itinerary if it was...

The overland track is the best place to get experience of overnight walks in a tassie winter because the track is so well marked and the hut facilities are great as well. The weather has to get pretty extreme if you cant follow that track. You Just need to be aware that the weather can change at anytime. You could get 5 days of rain/snow or 5 days of sun, you just never know. You will need to ensure you have proper gear but for 18 and 22 year old fit blokes it wont be to physically chalenging. So you would have to invest in better equipment but atleast in winter you dont have to pay the track fee

[Chris]

Have you thought of hiring sleeping bags? Cost not quite peanuts. but maybe worth investigating.

If you plan to do the overland track, flying into Launceston and out of Hobart (or vice versa if you want to go against the flow) would be the practical option. Transport at beginning and end of the overland are OK. The weather there could do absolutely anything at any time of year, just a bit more so in winter.

[JamesMc]

Freycinet Peninsula.
There's a really nice walk you can do that will take 3 days or so at a leasurely pace.
Sheltered, dry, and low altitude.

There's bus to Coles Bay
http://www.freycinetconnections.com.au/

JamesMc

[walkinTas]

I'd second that if you wanted to ease into Tasmania with a 'potentially warmer' overnight walk. You can search this forum for more information about this walk.

[tigerlee]

I agree with Frenchy, the Overland Track around Cradle Mt would be an interesting and safer bet in the cooler months. 3 to 4 days in the northern end of the Park. A round trip of Cradle Mt, stay at Lake Rodway, Scott Kilvert Hut, Waterfall Valley Huts, options to climb Cradle Mt, Barn Bluff and some snow up high. Gof for it, but please prepare, get the correct gear and have the best of times in any weather! Cheers Leethal

[walkinTas]

Depends on what you mean be "standard" tents. If your gear is three season - below the snow line (from your description it probably is), then you will need to be careful. If your sleeping bag is not rated for sub-zero and you don't have a good pad (r3 or higher) stay away from snow. Cradle in July will be cold - very cold if you are caught short of a hut - snow is possible. From what I can see you are not equipped for walking or sleeping in snow country.

[flyfisher]

East coast somewhere, even Douglas Apsley N.P. near Bicheno or Frecinet or a coastal walk near Bay of Fires.
By the sound of your gear I wouldn't be going to an alpine area.
Have you got really good waterproofs as they are not optional but a necessity.
Enjoy your stay.

FF

[photohiker]

If you've never been to Tassie, never done any overnight hikes, then just take it easy. There is always next year.

Go to Hobart, do Frecinet and maybe pick an easy overnight trip into more challenging country.

Come back next year and storm the OT.

[flyfisher]

Yep, good plan.

[ActusReus]

Thanks for the responses....I'm leaning towards what photohiker has suggested. Whilst the overland track sounds amazing maybe it should wait for another time. From what you guys have said and from what I've read our novice gear won't suffice! I'll take a closer look at some of your suggestions. Thanks very much for the replies, much appreciated!