Looking for information from the locals

[budric]

Hi,
I'm a Canadian and would like to visit Tasmania. I've started researching my trip and would really like to go bush-walking for several days to see the wilderness. Just from the basic google search I stumbled on the overland track and it offers varied terrain and lots of things to see. I was wondering:
1. Any other famous really good several day tracks you can recommend?
2. Is there any site or book you can recommend that has details to plan a trip? Details such as up to date, accurate maps, best ways to get to the start of the track etc. I've been to the site where you register for the overland track and they sell the map package for 50$. But that's just one map. I'll probably need that, but at this point I'd like to see several options available before deciding.
3. What's a good time to go bush-walking when the weather is not extremely cold? Is November too early?
4. What nuisance insects can I expect? Mosquitoes? Black flies (Canadian thing possibly).

Thanks for any input.

[budric]

Oops, I just stumbled on this site that provides almost all the information I requested: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=7827

I'd still like to know how cold November, what time of year there are most insects and any other links/suggestions to more information.

[stu]

You can buy John Chapmans book on the Overland Track here budric:

http://shop.parks.tas.gov.au/ProductSearch.aspx?cat=6

It should give you all the info you need.
November is a great time of year in Tasmania with the approach of summer.
Bear in mind that Tasmania regularly suffers from '4 seasons in 1 day' syndrome, so pack / be prepared accordingly.

You will also find heaps of info on this site - go to the Overland Track & Cradle Mountain section for everything you could possibly want to know about the park:

http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=25

Cheers.
Stu.

[Son of a Beach]

You can get a waterproof version of the Cradle Mtn - Lake St Clair (Overland Track) map from the Parks shop HERE for $14.95.

There's also a LOT of related links on our Wiki HERE, including a link to the Cradle Mtn - Lake St Clair (Overland Track) map for $9.95 direct from Tasmap (non-waterproof version).

(Our Wiki also has an unfinished track notes page for the Overland Track here, but there's not much on it at the moment, apart from a Google map.)

[Clownfish]

Just watch out for the dropbears!