The proposed Puffer Pod camps will be located within areas zoned ‘recreation’ near existing public campsites on the Overland Track and at Wild Dog Camp in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park and will draw on amenities such as toilets provided by existing National Parks facilities.
According to our CEO, Sue Badyari, “sustainability sits at the core of World Expeditions’ adventure operations and the Pods have been designed for minimal impact on the environment while delivering greater comforts for trekkers on these two world class walks.
The planned Pod camps are stylish, communal cold weather tents made from state of the art down inner fabric providing comfortable, environmentally sensitive amenities for trekkers,” Ms Badyari said. “They will be demounted at the conclusion of the walking season to allow for the ground to regenerate.”
LOWER PACK WEIGHTS WHILE WALKING
As well as providing a greater level of camping comfort, the pods will allow trekkers to reduce the weight they carry from around 17-18kg typical of self sufficient trekking in this environment, down to around only 10kg.
“Reducing the amount trekkers have to carry is key to making the trails more accessible to a wider walking market and allowing more people to enjoy our national parks and the trekking experience,” says Ms Badyari.
EXCLUSIVE COMFORT IN THE WORLD HERITAGE WILDERNESS
Another important element is that the Pod camps will allow trekkers to enjoy upgraded sleeping arrangements with standing camps that include camp beds, mattress and pillows, and a more spacious sleeping environment than a lightweight tent.
“While our applications do require further assessment, this initial approval is very welcome,” Ms Badyari said. “The Puffer Pods are a great example of a tourism model within Australian National Parks that meets strict sustainability criteria, is non permanent infrastructure and that delivers on the demand for comfort trekking without any reliance on helicopter client transportation”, says Badyari.