Bushwalking Supplies in Sheffield

[Drifting]

I have a mate who operates a store in Sheffield that opens at 7:30 am. He was discussing carrying a range of food supplies and gas bottles for people who were going to the Overland Track or Walls. Do you all think that would be a good idea, as in profitable, and if so what supplies should he stock? He's keen to get advice from the bushwalking community.

[Son of a Beach]

Is his shop before or after the Cradle Mtn turn off? If before, then a large sign out the front (eg, "Bushwalkers: Forgotten Something?") would certainly attract the attention of every bushwalker driving through Sheffield. Even if it is after the turn off, there are a quite few bushwalkers who drive right into the town centre for a break before heading back to the turn off.

[tasadam]

Not only that, but if he were to advertise properly and arrange items specifically for people coming thru, they could get them on the way and save running around in Launceston or whatever.
Like, people phone (or internet order) ahead, confirm the supplies they need are there and set aside, the customer flies into Launceston, buses to Cradle with a stop at this store to get their supplies, then carries on.

Whilst to some the concept of getting supplies this late (like, actually on the way to the walk) can seem a bit too "last minute", if it's organised properly and reliable, then I can see it really working.
A good internet site with pictures of what he stocks would be a big plus for this idea to work properly.

[Son of a Beach]

Good point, Adam. It could be really handy for mainlanders or tourists just getting off the Spirit of Tasmania, or an Aeroplane, and wanting to drive straight to the start of their walk from there (or start out very early from their hotel). Especially since they're not allowed to bring gas or metho on the planes or the ferry.

[Drifting]

Before the turn Nik- good point!

I'll print off all suggestions and pass them on- he's very dedicated to customer service, and will be appreciative.

[norts]

How many ppl go through Sheffield to go to Walls, Arm River etc. I always go through Deloraine for that area and Sheffield for Cradle. I like the idea, always getting questions on here about getting gas etc , just worried about the amount of customers.

Roger

[ninjapuppet]

Especially since they're not allowed to bring gas or metho on the planes or the ferry.

thats right, and same goes with food! I had my food taken away the first time I landed in tassie, so I'm sure many overseas wouldnt know about their quarantine restrictions either.

Things I would suggest your mate to stock are
cereals
powdered milk
lebo bread/ mountain bread
tuna packs
dehydrated meals

I think all of these items can be kept for long. I remember thinking oh crap, I forgot something as we passed shefflield and asking our bus driver if we could stop by to pick a few things up. He told us to forget it, nothing here to buy.

[Nuts]

Gas cylinders Can be taken on the ferry.

[Azza]

thats right, and same goes with food! I had my food taken away the first time I landed in tassie, so I'm sure many overseas wouldnt know about their quarantine restrictions either.

Its only fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood.

As they say certain plants, food etc. are restricted entry. Its just to keep out a few nasties that we have got here.

[abmacus]

Way out there, but how cool if this guy could promote himself to get "Overland Packs" ready and delivered to Cradle Mountain or ready to pick up from the shop or elsewhere. I am not sure of the logistics on getting stuff to the start point but with information sources such as this site and people asking about things like food, gas cylinders, and other gear it might be a possibility to set up some sort of online system where he can offer to get in various bits and peices so that guys like me wouldnt have to spend the day in Launceston shopping but could rip straight down there and start walking. I suspect from what some forums have touched on that the Cradle Mountain Visitors centre can provide bits n pieces but if the price of their pies is any indication of what they sell this stuff for ( I was there in Jan 2010 and got lunch for the family)then it would have to be a possibility.

[Drifting]

Way out there, but how cool if this guy could promote himself to get "Overland Packs" ready and delivered to Cradle Mountain or ready to pick up from the shop or elsewhere. I am not sure of the logistics on getting stuff to the start point but with information sources such as this site and people asking about things like food, gas cylinders, and other gear it might be a possibility to set up some sort of online system where he can offer to get in various bits and peices so that guys like me wouldnt have to spend the day in Launceston shopping but could rip straight down there and start walking. I suspect from what some forums have touched on that the Cradle Mountain Visitors centre can provide bits n pieces but if the price of their pies is any indication of what they sell this stuff for ( I was there in Jan 2010 and got lunch for the family)then it would have to be a possibility.

That's a blooming good idea!

[walkinTas]

How many ppl go through Sheffield to go to Walls, Arm River etc. I always go through Deloraine for that area and Sheffield for Cradle. I like the idea, always getting questions on here about getting gas etc , just worried about the amount of customers. Roger

There really isn't much difference in time either way. I sometimes go via Paradise Rd / Union Bridge Rd and sometime via Olivers Rd when the mode strikes.

thats right, and same goes with food! I had my food taken away the first time I landed in tassie, so I'm sure many overseas wouldn't know about their quarantine restrictions either.

You can check the rules for yourself and the DPIPWE - Quarantine site. Anyway coming to Tassie should know about quarantine. Read the fine print on your ticket.

[tasadam]

That's a blooming good idea!

Yes, a good idea. But for the same (claimed) reasons why they charge $51 for a bottle of Ninth Island Pinot Noir (real wort habout $20) at the Cradle Chalet, I doubt it would be feasible to have these packs available from the Cradle Mountain area.
Transport costs.
I think the idea is good, but that it would need to be a "collect from store" thing rather than trying to get them to Cradle.

[taswegian]

Drifting - that bloke would have to be in mid town. Ie between both roads that lead to Cradle etc.
(for the 'out of towners' - we have 2 roads to Cradle. One each end of town centre)

Walkin Tas - wouldn't people coming from L'ton to Walls go through Deloraine? I know I would.
Coming from the west then Sheffield/Paradise Rd or over Mt Claude via Olivers Road would be similar.

I reckon it would be a good idea, but would need promoting.

[Drifting]

Taswegian/Walkin- I think his target market would be more ferry passengers than folks coming from Launceston.

[tasadam]

Taswegian/Walkin- I think his target market would be more ferry passengers than folks coming from Launceston.

Why? If you were flying into Launceston and had your transport to Cradle organised, you can also pre-arrange your supplies form Sheffield and not have to worry about even going in to Launceston if you didn't actually want to.
By stocking standard items that can't travel, as well as popular items that people would need to purchase for a walk anyway, it makes sense to me that if you were flying in and needed these things, why not get them all at the one place?
As for the Walls etc, if he wanted to liaise with a reliable business in Deloraine and had the means to get the required goods to that location in time for pre-arranged packages, that could work.
Otherwise, well, which is worse - going into Launceston from the airport to get supplies, or going into Sheffield instead of Deloraine to get them, knowing in advance (perhaps by phone or internet order) that your selected items are there waiting, possibly even paid for in advance.

[Drifting]

Taswegian/Walkin- I think his target market would be more ferry passengers than folks coming from Launceston.

Why? If you were flying into Launceston and had your transport to Cradle organised, you can also pre-arrange your supplies form Sheffield and not have to worry about even going in to Launceston if you didn't actually want to.
By stocking standard items that can't travel, as well as popular items that people would need to purchase for a walk anyway, it makes sense to me that if you were flying in and needed these things, why not get them all at the one place?
As for the Walls etc, if he wanted to liaise with a reliable business in Deloraine and had the means to get the required goods to that location in time for pre-arranged packages, that could work.
Otherwise, well, which is worse - going into Launceston from the airport to get supplies, or going into Sheffield instead of Deloraine to get them, knowing in advance (perhaps by phone or internet order) that your selected items are there waiting, possibly even paid for in advance.

Good point!

I'll print this off and take it to Lloyd on Thursday or Friday- he's been out of town.

[abmacus]

I think that some creative planning could make the whole pre arranged parcel thing a goer. Chat to a couple of accomodation places, I think there is a YHA backpackers at Cradle Mountain, tie in booking the first night at cradle mountain with a "would you like to order any Overland Track goodies with your accomodation sir? I have just the contact for you".
If a list of available services/items was made clear online it would be easier. Transport costs are an inevitable problem as they are in the South West of WA ( I still cant work out why I can buy a bottle of Marg River wine cheaper in Geraldton than from the Winery that brews it) But sometimes the opportunity might come up if working with another interested party eg local accomodation place.
It might be worth a look at

Cheers

[walkinTas]

Walkin Tas - wouldn't people coming from L'ton to Walls go through Deloraine? I know I would.
Coming from the west then Sheffield/Paradise Rd or over Mt Claude via Olivers Road would be similar.

Of course they would. My point was from Devonport (as in get off the boat) there isn't much difference going through Sheffield or Deloraine. For the record, from William St. overpass to the start of the Lee's Paddock walk is 105Km via Olivers Rd, and 128Km via Deloraine & Mole Creek. The travel time is about the same.