AlanJG

Not much good on sensitive parts of the body though using heat including naked flames. I carry a small plastic container of normal saline solution bought from the chemist. This is wonderful for places like the eye where you would not be wise to pull the leech off.

dottyp, two pairs a jeans, one dress, five tops, five day's worth of undies, two coats, a pair of boots and a pair of shoes ... The rest of the space can be duty free booze!

lovingretirement

Speaking of leeches, are they typically found in Tassie all times of the year (especially in Cradle Mountain region) or are they typical of specific times only. Will be traveling in and around Tassie for 12 days, arriving on March 15. Some of our overnights include Hobart (been before), Tarraleah, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Launceton, and FREYCINET NP. Just curious if we should expect these little critters and typically what the weather will be in these locations (I know it's forever changing) but does it generally get really cold??? We're from South Florida, USA where it's warm, warm, and warmer.

dottyp

What a good idea, Alan, but sadly my DH doesn't think so. We don't drink much these days. But I'll bear it in mind - maybe lots of presents and clothes for our little grandson instead!

Melnq8

lovingretirement -

In our two visits to TAS, both of which were hiking-centric, we only ran into leeches once, on a track on the side of Mt Wellington - and that was only after tromping through some wet, dense rainforest, where we brushed up against the bushes.

Here's some info you might find interesting:

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=17016

peterSale

We have never seen any in 11 weeks of visiting Tasmania, so you should be safe.

There is one track on Cradle Mountain that has them but it is not one of the popular. It is out on the Heath past Wwladhiem.

lovingretirement

Melng8/peterSale

Thanks to you both so much for all the invaluable information you have provided me over the years with our travels to Australia. Melnq: you've been a great help to us when we visited WA a couple years back with your recommendations on accommodations, activities, etc. PeterSale: Love reading your trip reports and have incorporated much of them in our upcoming trip to Tasmania and Victoria.

Just wondering if we should expect the weather to get "very" cold in TAS, especially up in Cradle in mid to late March..

peterSale

Take everything everywhere is my motto.

It snowed on Chritsmas day a few years back on Cradle. It was zero at least on Mt Rufus.

Our Christmas it was mid 20s C

It is is that bad it will be obvious and in the forecast. The forecast is pinned up at the info centre and all the staff will know what to expect. As most of the walks are about 6km and 2-3 hours you would have to be very poorly planned to get "caught out". Fair enough if you were out trekking alone but not for day walks.

If the wether looks foul you can shorten most of the walks.

victorbritts

Many thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with useful information. Really nice to go through it and suggest people who are looking to visit Tasmania will go through your post.

peterSale

No worries.

Topping this as there are some who are thinking about Tas.