Hike for Youth Homelessness 2023
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Hike for Youth Homelessness 2023

Need to know

  • Dates: 9–13 October 2023
  • Tour duration: 5 days
  • Group size: 10–18 travellers
  • Challenge grade: 3/5
  • Registration fee: $495
  • Fundraising target: $3,000 (excludes travel)
  • Single supplement: $556
  • Accommodation: Twin-share rooms in cabins and 4-star hotels
  • Minimum age: 18 (younger ages considered on application)

Tour from AUD: $2,950

*Subject to change. Refer to Soulful Concepts Terms and Conditons. Book now

    Find out more

    Enter your details below and receive the in-depth information pack and booking details via email

    Subscribe to Soulful e-newsletter

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      Enter your details below and receive the in-depth information pack and booking details via email

      Trip at a glance

      Join Kids Under Cover in Tasmania for this unique experience, as you trek to support young people at risk of homelessness.

       

      This is your chance to leave everything behind and immerse yourself in the spectacular surrounds of Cradle Mountain National Park. 

       

      Over four days, expert guides will lead you across this ancient landscape, seeking out some of the park’s hidden highlights. Experience the rare beauty and diversity of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area as we traverse sections of the iconic Overland Track. This stunning wilderness region features a huge diversity of ecosystems, from glacially-carved lakes, ancient rainforests and fragrant eucalypt forests to golden buttongrass moorlands and beautiful alpine meadows. With an abundance of wildlife, you’re likely to encounter Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats and the highly inquisitive black currawong, as you explore mountainous terrain and marvel at magnificent vistas. 

       

      Most importantly, the funds you raise as part of the Hike for Youth Homelessness 2023 could help Kids Under Cover build a one or two-bedroom studio for young people at risk of homelessness. With your support, we can strengthen their connection to family, community and education, and make a lasting difference in their lives. 

       

      A truly soulful experience, you will reminisce on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure for years to come. 



      Give back

      On the Hike for Youth Homelessness 2023, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to participate in a physically challenging hike in our own beautiful backyard, while fundraising to help Kids Under Cover support young people at risk of homelessness.

       

      Did you know that 26% of people experiencing homelessness in Victoria are aged between 12 and 24 and on any night at least 6,000 young people are homeless?

       

      Kids Under Cover’s Studio Program has been preventing vulnerable Victorian young people from spiralling into homelessness for over 30 years. You may not know that every night there are over 900 young people in Kids Under Cover studios. Studios are a proven early intervention and prevention approach that continues to reach highly vulnerable and at-risk families and young people.

       

      The funds you raise as part of the Hike for Youth Homelessness 2023 can help Kids Under Cover to build a one or two-bedroom studio for young people at risk of homelessness. With your support, we can strengthen their connection to family, community and education, and make a lasting difference in their lives. 

       



      Fundraising

      There are many creative and fun ways in which you can fundraise. To help get you started we have created an Online Fundraising Resource Hub containing an A–Z guide of fundraising ideas, “how-to” guides for certain events, sample press releases and corporate sponsorship letters. You will also have regular support from the Soulful Concepts team, who will help you develop a fundraising plan tailored to your network. In addition, you will be supported by Kids Under Cover and guided in setting up an online fundraising page. 



      Itinerary

      Day 1: Monday 9 October 2023 – Welcome to Launceston
      Welcome to Launceston, Tasmania! After landing make your way to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day you are free to relax or explore the city’s historic streetscapes and heritage estates. Launceston is a vibrant hub for food, wine and culture. There's also a touch of wilderness with Cataract Gorge just a few minutes walk from the city centre. 

      Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor



      Day 2: Tuesday 10 October 2023 – Cradle Valley Boardwalk – Weindorfers Forest – Waldheim
      After breakfast, meet your guide for an 8am departure. We will depart Launceston, stopping for morning tea along the way, and then continue into Cradle Mountain village. 

      Upon arrival, you’ll have a chance to gear up before heading out on our main walk for the day – the Cradle Valley Boardwalk. 

      A nice introduction to your trekking challenge, we’ll head into the park along the Cradle Valley Boardwalk, following the course of the Dove River which features a vast assortment of native flora. From there we will head up to Ronny Creek car park where you are likely to see wombats grazing on the flat grassy plains. We then continue onto the historic Waldheim Chalet, where we enjoy a short walk through an ancient forest of myrtle beach and King Billy pine, before making our way back to the bus for afternoon tea.

      If time permits in the afternoon we will undertake a series of short walks that will showcase the unique rainforest, waterfalls and magnificent King Billy pines that Cradle Mountain National Park has to offer. 

      Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Discovery Holiday Park

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

      Trekking distance: 9km (4 hours, easy)



      Day 3: Wednesday 11 October 2023 – Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut via the Overland Track
      Today’s walk takes in some of the most breathtaking alpine scenery in all of Australia. It involves a circuit hike to the base of Cradle Mountain – taking in Marions Lookout, Kitchen Hut and returning via the Horse Track.

      This section of the iconic Overland Track will have you traversing across buttongrass plains and deciduous native forests, steadily climbing to the glacially formed Crater Lake. From Crater Lake the ascent becomes steeper and the views become grander as we continue onto Marions Lookout. In fine weather, the views are magnificent and far reaching – with Cradle Mountain itself dominating the panorama.

      The track’s gradient eases as we continue across the alpine landscape to Kitchen Hut – our intended lunch and turn around point. After lunch, we wave goodbye to the towering dolerite cliff lines of Cradle Mountain, and return via the Horse Track. This unique aspect affords us views deep into some of the even more remote areas of the park, and is often less frequented than other tracks.

      There is an excellent rocky outcrop which gives an elevated view straight down to Crater Lake far below. From here we descend back to Ronny Creek where our bus awaits. 

      After a long day of trekking, we return to our accommodation for another delicious dinner prepared by our guides.

      Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Discovery Holiday Park

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

      Trekking distance: 10km (6–7 hours, hard)



      Day 4: Thursday 12 October 2023 – Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes
      This morning after breakfast we depart for another fantastic walk, taking in the park's eastern highlights.

      We begin today’s trek at Dove Lake, taking the Lake Rodway track up and over Hansons Peak – which provides us with a completely different view of Cradle Mountain and the surrounding lakes.

       

      The climb to the top of the peak is at times steep and uneven underfoot, and a chain is provided on nearing the summit to assist walkers. Once over the other side, we pick up our return route via the Twisted Lakes and Lake Hanson – remnants of glacial scouring from previous ice ages. These pools are very tranquil and are encompassed by endemic pencil pines and fagus. This section is normally very peaceful, a bit of a hidden gem, and we will find ourselves a nice rocky outcrop for lunch while we soak up the views.

      If energy and time permit – an hour and a half extension can be made to visit the eastern face of Cradle Mountain, and the reflective waters of Artists Pool. We loop back to the Lake Rodway Track, completing the circuit before reversing our inward journey and returning to Dove Lake to meet the bus.

      Tonight, we enjoy a delicious team dinner together.

      Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Discovery Holiday Park

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

      Trekking distance: 10km (5–6 hours, hard)



      Day 5: Friday 13 October 2023 – Dove Lake Circuit – Return to Launceston
      Today we will wander through a typical Tasmanian rainforest around Dove Lake. The flat, gravel and duckboard track is very easy-going, leaving you to focus entirely on the jagged peak of Cradle Mountain, which looms above the track. 

      Along the way, there is a great mix of terrain including scrubby button grass, sandy beaches, cascading streams and a very special rainforest known as the Ballroom Forest. We finish our loop atop the impressive formation of Glacier Rock, which provides us with a final vista across the landscapes we have explored for the past four days.

      After lunch, we jump back on the bus and start our return journey back to Launceston. En route, we will stop in the lovely little town of Sheffield, where we will have time for a break and a chance to wander around the muralled streets.  Returning to Laucestion at approximately 4–4.30pm. Please make sure you book flights that depart after 6:30pm. 

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch

      Trekking distance: 6km (2 hours, easy)

      *Please speak with the Soulful Travel team if you would like to extend your stay in Tasmania.



      • What's included:
      • Two trek guides, who will drive, cook and care for you
      • Transport as indicated in itinerary, including collection and return to Launceston. We use a comfortable mini coach with a trailer attached for luggage. We also use the coach to drop off and pick up during the course of the day
      • Meals as indicated in itinerary
      • We always carry a thermos with plenty of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, plus biscuits and/or cake
      • Accommodation on a twin-share basis (single supplement available at additional cost)
      • National park entry fees as indicated in itinerary
      • What's not included:
      • Airport transfers
      • Airfares
      • Single supplement ($556)
      • Optional tours and excursions
      • Tips and gratuities (optional)
      • Personal travel insurance and ambulance cover
      • Items of a personal nature
      • Other services not listed in the inclusions column

      * Travellers are responsible for valid visas throughout the duration of the trip

      View full itinerary  
      Book now  Download the info pack  

      Unique experiences

      • Soak in the extraordinary landscapes of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area
      • Spot native wildlife, including wombats, echidnas, wallabies and Tasmanian devils
      • Forge lifelong friendships as you explore ancient rainforest, spectacular glacial cirques and pristine valleys
      • Witness the incredible dominance of magnificent Cradle Mountain from Marions Lookout
      • Raise vital funds to help Kids Under Cover prevent youth homelessness

      Need to know

      • Dates: 9–13 October 2023
      • Tour duration: 5 days
      • Group size: 10–18 travellers
      • Challenge grade: 3/5
      • Registration fee: $495
      • Fundraising target: $3,000 (excludes travel)
      • Single supplement: $556
      • Accommodation: Twin-share rooms in cabins and 4-star hotels
      • Minimum age: 18 (younger ages considered on application)

      Tour from AUD: $2,950

      *Subject to change. Refer to Soulful Concepts Terms and Conditons. Book now

        Find out more

        Enter your details below and receive the in-depth information pack and booking details via email

        Subscribe to Soulful e-newsletter

          Find out more

          Enter your details below and receive the in-depth information pack and booking details via email

          Unique experiences

          • Soak in the extraordinary landscapes of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area
          • Spot native wildlife, including wombats, echidnas, wallabies and Tasmanian devils
          • Forge lifelong friendships as you explore ancient rainforest, spectacular glacial cirques and pristine valleys
          • Witness the incredible dominance of magnificent Cradle Mountain from Marions Lookout
          • Raise vital funds to help Kids Under Cover prevent youth homelessness

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