How much will the Pilgrimage cost and how do I register?
The cost for an adult pilgrim is $120 ($90 early bird), for a young adult 16-21yrs $55 ($45 early bird) and a child 10-15yrs $35 ($25 early bird). NB children must be accompanied by an older family member or someone designated by the family. Early bird registration closes 30th October 2023.
Way to St James Global Camino 2024
The Way to St James Global Camino 2024 will cost nothing, however pilgrims can make a donation to cover administration costs via our website. Details of the Way to St James Global Camino 2024 will be announced via our Facebook Page.
Has my health and safety been taken into account?
Health and safety on the Pilgrimage is a priority for The Way to St James and we are committed to your wellbeing (including COVID-19 safety.)
If you are unwell please do not participate in the pilgrimage
We will be accompanied by a GP with medical kit and an ambulance
Our registration procedures will enable contact tracing in the event it should be necessary
Sanitation stations will be available for indoor venues
We will adhere to appropriate venue capacity limits
For the Global Pilgrimage your health and safety will be your own responsibility.
How far is the walk?
The Way To St James pilgrimage in the Huon Valley, Tasmania (Australia) is around 15km per day over a range of walking environments. Some hills are involved and the walking is sometimes across paddocks, sometimes on gravel roads as well as tarmac. You will need to be comfortable with a moderate level of difficulty walk.
For the Global Camino 2024 we invite you to walk approximately the same distance over the two days, if you are able. We hope you will choose a somewhat challenging route that you can walk solo, or in a group safely distanced. It would be good if it were through natural surroundings and undertaken in a meditative way.
Am I covered for illness or injury on the pilgrimage?
Pilgrims walking in Tasmania are covered under the Archdiocesan insurance policy. Essentially, should you be injured or your property damaged due to proven negligence on our part, then the policy will cover you.
The pilgrimage officially begins at registration at 9am on Saturday 14 January, and concludes at approximately 4.30pm on Sunday 15 January. This is the period covered by our insurance policy.
For the Global Pilgrimage this is your own responsibility.
Should I carry water?
Yes, always.
What if there is a weather event which threatens the pilgrimage?
In the event of a major disaster such as bushfire, or flooding rains we will contact every registered pilgrim via their nominated email in addition to informing media stations and emergency authorities.
What about accommodation?
Free accommodation
Pilgrims are welcome to pitch a tent in the level grounds surrounding St Mary of the Cross in Ranelagh. Free indoor accommodation is available in the Ranelagh Soldiers Memorial Hall (basic), St James Anglican Church Hall all quite close to St Mary's, and Mission 21 in Huonville. For these covered accommodation options pilgrims will need their own bedroll for sleeping on the floor. Please let us know whether you will be tenting or seeking free covered accommodation when you register.
Other accommodation options (paid)
The Huon Valley Caravan Park is situated very close to the church property and there are excellent B&B's in the Huon Valley. Accommodation is always at a premium during the Cygnet Folk Festival and our Pilgrimage so you are urged to book as soon as possible — please visit https://www.huonvalleytas.com/southern-tasmania/accommodation/ for more options.
Will there be a support vehicle to carry my tent and/or sleeping gear?
Yes.
Are there refreshments on the pilgrimage?
You may purchase a lunch pack (vegetarian) for Saturday and Sunday. These are provided locally by Summer Kitchen Bakery at a cost of $14.00 per lunch. Lunches must be pre-ordered and paid when you register.
Tea and coffee will be available at St. Mary's church at both mealtimes (dinner on day one and breakfast on day 2) These meals are covered by your registration fee.
There will be a mobile coffee van at the start of the pilgrimage on Saturday morning at Mountain River (with a slice of cake) and on Sunday at the bottom of Silver Hill Rd.(with your lunch ) You will need to pay for these with cash or card.
Please carry water with you, but additional water will also be available on both days during the walk.
On Saturday evening, we will be serving a barbeque feast for dinner (with vegetarian options). We will also be selling wine, beer and soft drinks.
How do I get to and from the Pilgrimage?
The pilgrimage starts from the Mountain River Memorial Hall on Saturday 13th January at approximately 10.00am with registration and collection of lunches from 9.00am. It concludes at about 4.30pm at St James Church Cygnet on Sunday 14th January.
Transport will be provided by Roberts Coaches from Hobart to Mountain River departing at 8.45am on Saturday 13th January from alongside the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Campbell St. You must register for this service on the website with a payment of $18.
You may park your car at St Mary's Ranelagh on day one and there will be a shuttle bus to take you to Mountain River for a gold coin donation.
At the conclusion of the pilgrimage on Sunday 14th January, transport will leave Cygnet behind the Town Hall for Hobart via Ranelagh at 5.00pm with Roberts Coaches. You must register for this service on the website with a payment of $18. This bus will also be able to drop pilgrims to their cars at Ranelagh for a $10 fee.
What happens at the end?
Pilgrims will congregate at the Cygnet Sport Centre (Louisa St.) at the end of the walk on Sunday. We will leave in procession at approximately 3.00pm to walk to St James (800m) singing and accompanied by a band. The icon of St James (constructed by staff and students or the UTAS School of Art) will be carried during the procession.
Pilgrims may then move into St James Church for the final festive ritual and singing.
What about before and after?
The Way to St James pilgrimage officially begins on Saturday 13 January 2024 with a blessing from Father Michael Tate at 9.30am. For the Global Way to St James Camino this will be available as a video link from the Facebook event and our website..
There will also be a video link to a final festive ritual and singing at St James Church, Cygnet, Tasmania on Sunday 14 January also accessible through Facebook and our website.
Fr Tate's talk on St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology will also be available on video link.
What are the religious elements or events in the pilgrimage?
Our pilgrimage is modelled on El Camino de Santiago in Spain and any person of any religious denomination or none is welcome to walk in company with other pilgrims.
At the beginning there is a blessing with holy water of the scallop shell and pebble carried by pilgrims. On Saturday afternoon there will be a talk by Father Tate on St Francis of Assisi, the patron Saint of Ecology on themes relating to spirituality and the environment. On Sunday morning Mass is celebrated in St Mary's church at Ranelagh at 7.30am.
Attendance at the talk or Mass is of course optional.
The concluding Festive Ritual in the Spanish style church of St James Cygnet includes sacred songs from the Spanish and English traditions and we all sing our motif song "To Be A Pilgrim".
What is the link between the Way to St James Cygnet and the famous El Camino de Santiago de Compostela?
We are very happy to announce that we have now been officially recognised by the Spanish Camino community and integrated into their register of Jacobean associations, due to the values of solidarity, peace, knowledge and harmony between people that we share with the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela!
In the physical Way to St James Cygnet we walk as pilgrims in a meditative way with various stops, where a Pilgrim Passport can be stamped. Pilgrims wear a scallop shell as on the traditional route across Northern Spain and follow yellow arrows along the Way. Pilgrims also carry a rock or a river pebble which, at the conclusion or the walk, is laid at the foot of the icon of St James as a symbol of the lightening of the burdens we may have been carrying.
How can I pay for memorabilia and other items?
You will be able to purchase patches t-shirts, hats and caps through our website. For coffees, wine, beer and soft drink you will need card or cash.
If I can’t make it to Tasmania in person, can I still be a part of the Way to St James Cygnet?
Yes! Following on from the very successful Global Way To St James in 2023, pilgrims from across the world are invited to join in our 2024 Global Pilgrimage and connect to our community via our online event. Details on how to register will be released via our Facebook page.
Can I share my Global Camino journey?
We would welcome you photos on Instagram #waytostjamescygnet2024 and share to our Facebook event page. To help us picture your environment, please indicate where your picture is from. People from all over the world will be participating with you.
Can I get a Passport for the Global Way to St James Camino?
Your passport will be a memento of your Way to St James Global Camino and will be available for you to download, personalise and print after you have completed your walk. Details will be made available via our website and the Facebook event page.