Ari's Planet

wetsuit temp ratings http://wetsuitgear.com/temp_chart.html

Travel medicine alliance of australia http://www.travelmedicine.com.au
travel clinics australia http://www.travelclinic.com.au/find-a-clinic.asp

Noxious Weeds of Australia By W. T. Parsons, E. G. Cuthbertson
http://books.google.com/books?id=sRCrNAQQrpwC&pg=PA409&lpg=PA409&dq=padd...

Cucumis myriocarpus (Paddy Melon),
http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com/photos/3715-24.htm
Hikes in the NT http://en.travelnt.com
Jatbula hike http://en.travelnt.com/experience/walking-trekking/jatbula-trail.aspx

http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/northern-territory-aus-nt...
Tourist Attractions in Northern Territory

Overview of transport options
http://www.worldsurface.com/browse/static.asp?staticpageid=3422

WEATHER

Lots of links for Tasmania. There's some very good climate information.
BANKING

http://www.bugaustralia.com/essentials/money.html
The four main banks:
ANZ www.anz.com
Commonwealth Bank www.commbank.com.au
National Australia Bank (NAB) website www.nab.com.au
Westpac website www.westpac.com.au

GST 10% refund: >= $300 per item purchased no more than 30 days before leaving AU brought as carry-on luggage with tax invoice.

http://www.australia-migration.com/page/Opening_a_Bank_Account_in_Austra...
Gives the 100-point system for identification: passport 70, credit card 25 (each), so a passport and two credit cards. Or open the account with 6 weeks (up to 3 months for some banks) and you only need a passport. A lot simpler than the US. In Japan I asked and you have to have proof of residency permit (or something like that), a tourist visa is insufficient.

Overland track info
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/recreation/tracknotes/overland.html

Accommodation at the start and end of the track
Cradle Mountain
Cabin accommodation is available at Waldheim inside the national park. These rustic bush huts are very popular and advance bookings are advised. Bookings can be made at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre (03) 6492 1110.

Due to the delicate nature of the environment and the large number of visitors to Cradle Mountain, camping is not permitted inside the day visitor area. Overland Track walkers cannot camp until they reach either Waterfall Valley Hut or the Scott-Kilvert Hut.

A serviced camping area has been established three kilometres outside the park boundary. This site is operated by a private leaseholder and camping, bunkhouse and cabin accommodation are available. Phone (03) 6492 1395.

Hotel and additional cabin accommodation are also available outside the national park boundary. Contact the Tasmanian Travel Centre for further details or use the Tourism Tasmania web site.

Lake St Clair
Cabin, backpacker, powered site and camping accommodation with shower and toilet facilities are operated by a private leaseholder. For bookings and enquiries contact Lakeside St Clair (03) 6289 1137.

Hotel, backpacker and cabin accommodation is also available at Derwent Bridge at the entrance to the national park.

Getting started
From Cradle Valley:
Public buses will drop you off at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, or at the accomodation nearby if you request.

During the peak walking season (1 November - 30 April), you must check in at the Visitor Centre to collect your Overland Track Pass.

A frequent free shuttle bus service goes from the Information Centre and the Visitor Centre 7 days a week, to the start of the walking track at Ronny Creek, 5kms into the Park.

Allow at least 3-5 hours to reach Waterfall Valley. You should start on the track by 2.00pm in the summer months with good weather conditions. However, earlier starting times are advised in times of poor weather and in the months April to November. In winter, daylight hours are reduced to between 7.30am and 4.45pm and snow can make the track impassable.

Walkers leaving from Cradle have three options for starting the track. The views differ and all involve an uphill climb.
• From Ronny Creek via Crater Falls and Crater Lake to Marions Lookout - a moderate grade climb to Marions Lookout, with spectacular views from the lookout.
• From Dove Lake via Lake Lilla and Wombat Pool to Marions Lookout - includes the uphill section to Marions Lookout.
• From Ronny Creek via Horse Track to Crater Peak - this is a more gentle uphill climb, but is very exposed.

Other tracks in the area are rough, muddy and steep and are not recommended for accessing the Overland Track.

Side tracks on the way
A variety of opportunities are created by the side tracks that branch off the Overland Track. Some of these tracks have become very worn and walkers can expect to wade through wet and muddy sections. The tracks described below have mostly had track improvement works undertaken which has made walking more pleasant and repaired environmental degradation.
1. Cradle Valley
Three days could be spent here exploring a variety of environs that include the summit peak, glacial lakes, historic buildings and lichen-clad forests. Take some time to view the interpretive displays in the Visitor Centre.
2. Cradle Mountain summit
A sign posted track leaves from the main track just south of Kitchen Hut. Walkers should allow two hours from this point including the return. Warm clothing and your raincoat should always be taken with you when leaving your pack behind. Regardless of how fine the weather might seem, conditions can change dramatically in the time that you are away from your pack.
3. Lake Will
The track is boardwalked to the shore of the alpine lake - one hour return from the main track. The lake is fringed with Pencil Pines and in calm weather may provide a mirror image of Barn Bluff.
4. Mt Ossa
At 1617 metres this is Tasmania's highest mountain. About three-and-half hours is a good time to allow for the return trip from Pelion Gap to the summit. This includes time to take photographs and soak in the inspiring views from the top. In hot conditions walkers are advised to carry water. This should be collected before reaching Pelion Gap.
5. Hartnett Falls
These are the highest of several falls on the Mersey River. An easy 20 minute walk reaches the falls from the Overland Track. Unlike views from the peaks, even solid rain cannot spoil the view of a waterfall.
6. Mt Rufus
A day walk can be made to this peak from Cynthia Bay. Mt Rufus can be climbed as part of a circuit track that includes Shadow Lake. The view from the summit gives views into the upper Franklin River.
7. Lake St Clair
Save some time to view the interpretive displays at the visitor centre. These include presentations about the ice ages, the Tasmanian tiger and early bushwalking days.

HUTS
Waterfall Valley
Windermere
Pelion
Kia Ora
Windy Ridge
Narcissus

Kitchen Hut, Ranger Hut, Old Pelion Hut and Du Cane Hut are strictly emergency shelters only and overnight stays are only permitted in the case of a genuine emergency.

Pine Valley
This very popular area is suffering from the wear and tear of too many pairs of human feet. Think about selecting another destination to help ease the pressure. If you have an extra day, consider walking the Lakeside Track or Mt Rufus as alternatives to Pine Valley.

Tasmania weather info (Fagus color ~25/4).
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/recreation/planning/was.html
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/recreation/tracknotes/index.html

Things to do in Australia.

http://tourtasmania.com/
Port Arthur, Hobart

http://bushwalk-tasmania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=538&p=3468#p3468
forum reply overland track in may
by slick41st on Wed 19 Mar, 2008 6:34 pm
If you are worried about the $150 then do a trip through the Walls, then to L.Meston, then Junction Lake, then through the never never, then back through Lees paddocks. I reckon that is just as spectacular a walk (if not more speccy) and wont cost you an arm and a leg. There are some terrific side tracks to do too like Cathedral.

Melbourne
http://www.melbourneaustralia.org/attractions.html
Don't miss "the first structure to break the 132 foot building height limit in Melbourne". Ooh!
See Nature Parks: VICTORIAS OPEN RANGE ZOO, HEALSVILLE SANCTUARY, etc.