Bookings for Three Capes Track now open

[aloftas]

oh its the "Taste" and "Festivale" fascination with exorbitant costs. Makes the punter think they are special if it costs an arm and a leg, keeps the riff raff away.

We wouldn't want the paying guests experience to be sullied with bogans.

I would have thought the bushwalking fraternity would be the first to jump in and say "Enough!"

This is beaurocratic madness and typical pandering to the fruit and veggie leftie element.

I think a Toll road just away from the OLT would increase visitor numbers.

No one would even see it.


?sarcasm.

this whole notion of "tourism" needs a rethink.

[Azza]

I don't have a problem with there being a $500 option.. but I would have though that price would have better fitted the actual full 3 capes experience that they originally planned.

But elsewhere in the world I have visited places that offer a much better system.
I liked the way things were run in Torres del Paine, where the Huts were run by independent businesses.
You had the choice of paying for camping or a bunk, showers included, you could buy dinner in the Refugio or cook yourself.. paying for the services you used.
You could book the huts like a hotel. Extras like glacier walking, guided tours and boat cruises could easily be arranged.
All spectrums where covered from the person who just wanted to camp it, all the way to the fully guided hold my hand experience.
I don't see why this sort of model wouldn't have worked here.

Truth be told they'd probably get closer to $500 out of me if they gave options, rather than thou shalt only walk 4km per day on a super well formed and hardened track. Thats an hour or so's walk for any regular hiker.

[DanShell]

I think the issue here is not the price. $500 is probably close to being ok considering the boat trip, bus transfers and fancy hut facilities. I wouldn't pay it but many will.

I think the problem so far is the way they are marketing it. Ok so they are have started at the top end of $500. Now how about the self drive tour for the average punter that includes boat and bus but no use of the huts for $200?? Id do that one. The thought of sleeping in public huts with 47 other people is not something Id subject myself to anyway.

Or perhaps even a no boat or bus transfers and no use of huts etc for $50

They need more options or we need more info. Perhaps it will come.

[kestert]

Yep. I'd be happy to $500 for what you get, but I don't want that. I want to be able to choose how far I walk in a day. It's a cattle run, not bushwalking.

[scrub boy]

you will not see anything anywhere that says you can't simply walk with a tent as you have always been able to do but you can't camp at the huts and bludge off the nice new facilities. the guy with the pack is superimposed on the hut (also why gaiters?), strangely this doesn't look like a real hut site (or a real hut even), i reckon if you look closely it is tunnel bay, one of the sites from the original concept.....

[pazzar]

I have no real issue with the price. I have no desire to walk the track anyway. I've been to the capes.

The only concern I have is this:

Can I stay more than one night at one cabin site?

The 4 day/3 night walk has been designed with comfort in mind. Tempted to move permanently into Munro cabin or hightail the 46 kilometres in record speed? Neither are possible – we’ve crafted your journey across four days to be safe, un-crowded and above all, a joy. You’ll spend the first night at Surveyors Cove, the second at Munro and the third at Retakunna Creek. Beds are allocated by a Host Ranger, ready to answer any questions you might have.

The Peninsula is know for variable weather conditions, and winds can get very high. Are they saying that having a rest day due to bad weather is not possible because they have a pre-set itinerary for you? This is a safety issue, and it may also detract from the experience if punters are forced to walk in foul conditions. If I have just paid $500, I would want to be able to walk the track at whatever pace I feel like.

[wayno]

I have no real issue with the price. I have no desire to walk the track anyway. I've been to the capes.

The only concern I have is this:

Can I stay more than one night at one cabin site?

The 4 day/3 night walk has been designed with comfort in mind. Tempted to move permanently into Munro cabin or hightail the 46 kilometres in record speed? Neither are possible – we’ve crafted your journey across four days to be safe, un-crowded and above all, a joy. You’ll spend the first night at Surveyors Cove, the second at Munro and the third at Retakunna Creek. Beds are allocated by a Host Ranger, ready to answer any questions you might have.

The Peninsula is know for variable weather conditions, and winds can get very high. Are they saying that having a rest day due to bad weather is not possible because they have a pre-set itinerary for you? This is a safety issue, and it may also detract from the experience if punters are forced to walk in foul conditions. If I have just paid $500, I would want to be able to walk the track at whatever pace I feel like.

same as the milford track, where you stay is preset when you book. if the weather gets too bad then DOC will hold people over at the hut they are at or send people back the other way if that is a practical option, if that happens anyone with bookings to come onto the track has their booking cancelled and if the walk is popular theres usually no way of rescheduling if its fully booked.

[walkon]

Rang parks, only can stay in the huts. Other campsites being/are re-vegetated. I was keen to do this walk with my lovely but when I priced it against a trip to Milford track we save over $600 by going to NZ. That's air/transfers/track...

Hey Bro I'm coming over Wayno

[wayno]

should see if DOC will do a bulk concession for Aussies

[MrWalker]

Rang parks, only can stay in the huts. Other campsites being/are re-vegetated.

Well I suppose that will keep the riff-raff out (i.e. most people here ), so the $500 walkers won't have to put up with the lowlife who are prepared to live in a tent.

It seems absurd that the only way to see Cape Pillar is a very long day-walk or combine it with a boat trip, bus trip, visit to Port Arthur and exactly 3 nights in fancy huts.

[nitro]

Wow, that is ridiculous. They don't seem to be aiming at the type of walkers most of us are. The tourists may be able to afford it with our low dollar, and cashed up grey nomads, but the average punter is out of luck on this one.
$1000 for my partner and myself? Tell em he's dreaming!

[Paul]

Cheaper than a weekend trip to Melbourne or Sydney!
I can also guantee the cruise at the start of the trip will be many times better than the Lake St Clair one at the end of the OLT. You also get bussed back to your start point. Neither of these two are included in an OLT track fee. The rangers on the track are 'host rangers' therefore I'd expect them to treat the walkers more as guests. $500 is a lot of money but when paying for alternative experiences it compares quite well in my opinion.

Just wondering if you are employed by Parks Dept ???

Paul.

[doogs]

Cheaper than a weekend trip to Melbourne or Sydney!
I can also guantee the cruise at the start of the trip will be many times better than the Lake St Clair one at the end of the OLT. You also get bussed back to your start point. Neither of these two are included in an OLT track fee. The rangers on the track are 'host rangers' therefore I'd expect them to treat the walkers more as guests. $500 is a lot of money but when paying for alternative experiences it compares quite well in my opinion.

Just wondering if you are employed by Parks Dept ???

Paul.

Nope. However I do work on Bruny island and have friends who work for Pennicott Wilderness Voyages. I also come into contact with a lot of tourists in my job and I am frequently told how good their boat trip was.
I also like playing devils advocate as everyone was bagging the walk out when noone has officially walked it yet. Surely it's best to check out the TripAdviser reviews after it's up and running? You wouldn't dismiss a restaurants pricing of their food before it opened.
.I would expect eventually there will be winter special on the walk too

[Hallu]

Here's Tasparks answer to the "what about camping ?" question :

The Cape Pillar Track is currently closed for public safety while construction of the Three Capes Track and cabins is completed. When the Three Capes Track opens for walkers in December, the Cape Pillar Track from Fortescue Bay will be open. Once Three Capes is operating, the Cape Pillar Track from Fortescue Bay will only receive minimal maintenance.
The entire Three Capes Track will be designated ‘no camping’ except where camping is specifically provided for and managed by PWS. The Three Capes experience is a cabin-based experience only, this has been designed to minimise impacts on the environment.
Prior to Three Capes, there were two recognised and three informal camping sites in the Cape Pillar area. A number of these were by-passed by the new track and all of them have been closed and are being rehabilitated. PWS is planning the location of one new formal campsite and the most suitable site will be negotiated with Tasmanian bushwalking clubs. There will be one campsite with capacity for about six tents.

It's so vague I can't tell if you CAN camp for free and they just talk crap so you won't know it's possible, or if it's banned altogether but they're too ashamed to admit it ? Also it sounds like they're only doing one campsite for six ? Is that all ?

[wayno]

take a hammock

[MrWalker]

I suggest the local bushwalking clubs start negotiating now, or it will be months after the Track opens before a site for the 6 tents is set aside, prepared with platforms, toilets, etc.

[Nuts]

I'd suggest that local bushwalking clubs and nature loving citizens at large take a closer look at the incursion of infrastructure and development state-wide.
The Devil is in the details..

Personally, i'd be positive (to middling) if this track was the only project underway. Money and access are not the key issue.

[vicrev]

That Big Greed Bird has really come home to roost.hasn't it Tassie.... ....You wanted the Tourist Dollar at any cost........Well,youvé got it....... .....

[beardless]

I have no real issue with the price. I have no desire to walk the track anyway. I've been to the capes.

The only concern I have is this:

Can I stay more than one night at one cabin site?

The 4 day/3 night walk has been designed with comfort in mind. Tempted to move permanently into Munro cabin or hightail the 46 kilometres in record speed? Neither are possible – we’ve crafted your journey across four days to be safe, un-crowded and above all, a joy.

If I have just paid $500, I would want to be able to walk the track at whatever pace I feel like.

Well it is what the Tasman Peninsula is famous for: imprisonment.

[walkon]

Cheaper than a weekend trip to Melbourne or Sydney!
I can also guantee the cruise at the start of the trip will be many times better than the Lake St Clair one at the end of the OLT. You also get bussed back to your start point. Neither of these two are included in an OLT track fee. The rangers on the track are 'host rangers' therefore I'd expect them to treat the walkers more as guests. $500 is a lot of money but when paying for alternative experiences it compares quite well in my opinion.

Just wondering if you are employed by Parks Dept ???

Paul.

Nope. However I do work on Bruny island and have friends who work for Pennicott Wilderness Voyages. I also come into contact with a lot of tourists in my job and I am frequently told how good their boat trip was.
I also like playing devils advocate as everyone was bagging the walk out when noone has officially walked it yet. Surely it's best to check out the TripAdviser reviews after it's up and running? You wouldn't dismiss a restaurants pricing of their food before it opened.
.I would expect eventually there will be winter special on the walk too

I know your being devils advocate but no-one was running down the walk. It looks fabulous but the cost to stay on track isn't flash. Like for like what you can get elsewhere its an expensive option by any means of the definition that you use.

Parks were pushing for me to ask questions in an email as they would prefer it that way as we all would have my questions in writing. A friend has had the same asked of him as well. I assume they'd want my concerns about the price as well. The Milford track doesn't have competition accommodation wise like the Three Capes walk so more people will stay elsewhere if given a much cheaper option. This is all new and will have teething problems though is the grand plan to have it sold off like overland/frec bay, so they can value add and make it pay?

[Hallu]

We all know the area is fantastic, we all love it, and that's why we're so tough on Tasparks, it just feels wrong when you have the NZ great walks to compare it to. I mean 500 $ for 4 days, isn't it the price of a fully guided walk, like in the Tarkine ? And let's not stop at NZ, anyone done a GR in France before ? Huts are 30-50 € a night and the walk in itself is FREE... So by international standards, it's just insane. I respect the Aussie track builders immensely, I think they're the best track builders in the world, but it should be funded by donations or by park fees. I think everyone would have been ok with a 200 $ price we're just gobsmacked by the 500 they came up with, and that's without Cape Raoul.

[b_goat]

The answer to any uncertainty about access to Cape Pillar can be found in this post on Facebook by National Parks [url]https://www.facebook.com/147512044296/photos/a.421476944296.180665.147512044296/10153684114479297/?type=1&theater[url]
Specifically.
There will be no camping access until further notice in the park area. The existing campsites at Picnic Creek or Hurricane Heath are being shut down permanently. There will be, at a future date, at an unspecified location, a campsite which will be large enough for six tents. There is no set date for the establishment of this campsite.
Until then. Cape Pillar will only be therefore accessible if you walk (assuming the back track) in one day return from Fortescue Bay.

[Nuts]

That Big Greed Bird has really come home to roost.hasn't it Tassie.... ....You wanted the Tourist Dollar at any cost........Well,youvé got it....... .....

Well there is that, in this case it was federal money with a specific purpose. In terms of collateral damage (landscaping and developing wild areas) the cost/return should obviously be 'as much as possible'. Unfortunately the cost will be collateral on visitors (and speaking from experience) at that sort of price, while it's not 'ridiculous', start to count out most family groups and backpackers. P&W, I can imagine, they'll very much want to price it as best as possible, would have though starting 'cheap' a very wize move, fingernails intact.

[weetbix456]

Having recently walked out to Cape Pillar as an overnight trip and seen most of the track work first hand, I'll firstly mention how impressive it really is. Should stand the test of time, and they have eliminated many sections which would see future erosion with greater visitor numbers. It also gives accessibility to a broad audience of people from different fitness/experience levels. In its entirety, I feel it would be a fulfilling worthwhile group outing. But that brings me to another point - as Cape Pillar is one of those go to over-nighters nearby Hobart which can be used as training ground for newbies or a spot to take visiting friends in a less intimidating environment.

I'm quite disappointed there will be no options for camping (tent platforms nearby the huts would have been fine), or the possibility of different itineraries. As Pazzar mentioned, weather could hamper continuation on any day any time of year - and especially in winter when it's wet and windy on the exposed capes - hypothermia is still a real issue (ill prepared cashed up croonies in jeans & cotton clothing - there's bound to be some). They're promoting it like a safe and cushy walk - and I worry this could lead people to underestimate the elements.

At present - it is a "Two Capes Walk" and (at $500 a pop) leaves no room to move for when the Third cape is eventually included (surely the price wont go up?? If not - will the previous punters get a $100 refund?? BONUS CAPE..at no extra charge!! Lucky we waited hun ). There should be greater options for the paying visitor. A lower price for a camping option would lure the backpackers, families & school groups - and allow people to spend more time in their favourite areas. Some like to linger. Some might be cooked after the climb over Mt Fortescue. As a rock-climber, it's quite common for mates of mine to spend nights at a time on the capes waiting out for good weather windows (otherwise you're talking about 14 hour single day missions!!). As a local walker, I very much still want to be able to enjoy these areas how we always have - and I want the future generations to have those same options. I'm not opposed to the infrastructure/facility developments, just the limited scope for variations & yes...I must say - the outlandishly ridiculous price.

[gayet]

From ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-19/fears-families-priced-out-of-tasmanias-three-capes-track/6788146

[Nuts]

Ok, outlandish, perhaps. Obviously outrageous. What then? $400, a shower and fresh muffin? Exceedingly difficult to manage, how to allow a random amount of nights? (emergency hut? tent overflow?). Surely they wont stop you and your mates weetbix456.. and would think, with permanent staff, there'd be a contingency for those not suitably equipped or coping?

One for you and mates:

Screen Shot 2015-09-19 at 1.16.42 AM.png (85.04 KiB) Viewed 15751 times

I do think it's dismal the enforced changing use, bombshells to local users, haven't been down since the track upgrade, seen pleanty of piccies, nice work.

[Mechanic-AL]

I'm just wondering how everyone would feel if it somehow turns out to be a raging success story? If 300 bookings( ) in the first 24 hours is to be believed then thats pretty impressive.
On one hand it's a good omen for the Tassie bush and the fortunes of the state as a whole but at the same time the success of a $500.00 price tag could create some dire concerns for plenty of other areas if they are managed in the same fashion.

AL

[bumpingbill]

For what it's worth, 300 bookings in 24 hours is amazing. Though it'd be interesting to see what happens after the excitement dies down.

I've been collecting numbers on Overland Bookings for 2015-16 since late July, and the best day was 45 spots booked.

Here's the bookings by day.



And here are the bookings over time. The number is how many spots remain for the 2015-16 season.



(Note: the Y-axis does not start at zero. I did this just to show more detail with the day-to-day booking movements)

[Doonish]

You'd expect a rush at the start with the launch and all the marketing, though - it's not really comparable to the steady nature of Overland bookings. As has been said, it will be interesting to see what happens over time - 300 sounds like a lot, but it's less than a week's worth of walkers fully booked.

Some consolation that it sounds like we will still have free access to Cape Pillar.

[doogs]

If you look at it from an interstate visitor point of view at the costs, with return flights into Hobart for 3 Capes, and into Launceston and out of Hobart for the OLT.

3 Capes Walk $495
Return bus to Hobart $48.40
Total $543.40

Overland Track Walk $200
Bus from Launceston to Cradle $61.50
Bus from Lake St Clair to Hobart $53.60
Lake St Clair Ferry $40
Total $354.10

$190 difference between the 2 options, which does make the OLT sound like a better option. On the 3 Capes walk you don't need to organise most of the transport, which is a problem with the OLT as you often need to overnight at Cradle and/or Derwent Bridge to catch buses. There's also a cruise rather than a ferry trip included in the price on the 3 Capes.
Personally I'd still prefer the OLT as I would like time to explore, doing side trips etc. However, some people just love to have their lives organise and scheduled for them so the 3 Capes would be perfect for them!!