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Overland Track - 6 Day Walk
The Overland Track is a world famous alpine trek. This trip includes breathtaking alpine scenery, rugged mountain ranges, unique alpine vegetation, ancient rainforest and vast sweeping plains of button grass and cushion plants. We utilise customised tent platforms for erecting tents and there are toilets at each of our campsites. Day One involves the steepest climb of the walk with a full pack. The remainder of the walk is undulating. The optional side trip to the top of Mt Ossa is effectively pack free.
Scheduled Departures for 2011
January - 14, 28
February - 11, 25
March - 11, 25
April - 8
November - 8, 22
December - 6
Scheduled Departures for 2012
January - 3, 17, 31
February - 14, 28
March - 13, 27
April - 10, 24
Overland Track Itinerary
Day 1: Cradle Mountain - 10kms (5 to 6 Hours)
Drive to Cradle Mountain and walk from Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley
Highlights: Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff, unique alpine vegetation, Dove Lake, Crater Lake and Waterfall Valley.
We arrive at the Cradle Mountain Visitor’s Centre at around 1:00pm. The Centre provides a wealth of information about the Cradle Mountain World Heritage Area. Lunch can be taken here. The Overland Track begins at Ronny Creek car park. From there, we ascend the spectacular and steep track to Crater Lake. Skirting Crater Lake, we walk through the first of the deciduous myrtle forests and the glacial formed landscape. The ascent continues until we reach the plateau surrounding the base of Cradle Mountain. From here the views are breathtaking.
We traverse around the base of Cradle Mountain exploring the unique alpine vegetation including king billy pines and the ground hugging cushion plant communities. These vegetation communities are unique to Tasmania and only grow on the highest parts of the walk including the slopes of Cradle Mountain and Pelion Gap. From here, the rest of the day’s walk is reasonably gentle across an alpine plateau to our campsite at Waterfall Valley. On the way we encounter a stand of the unique Richea pandanafolia, the world’s largest heath plant, which is only found in alpine Tasmania. The final descent into Waterfall Valley provides views of the track heading south, a preview of the days to come.
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Day 2: Waterfalls, Mountains and Lakes - 8 kms (3-4 hours)
Waterfall Valley to Windermere Hut
Highlights: Waterfalls, mountain vistas, unique alpine moor, Lake Windermere.
We depart Waterfall Valley Hut at around 9am. Located close to Waterfall Valley are a number of spectacular waterfalls. The waterfalls are surrounded by alpine rainforest including the rare pencil pine. These ancient trees are up to one thousand years old and are remnants of the ancient forests that covered Gondwana, over 60 million years ago. After a short exploration of the water falls, we begin crossing undulating alpine plains before climbing to an open alpine moor.
On this section of the walk, you will become familiar with the alpine button grass and eucalypt communities. The track is expertly maintained allowing you to take in the landscape. As camp approaches, Lake Windermere becomes visible in the distance. The camp is located on the southern side of Lake Windermere providing an opportunity for those who wish to refresh themselves with an invigorating dip in the lake.
Day 3: Rainforest to Mountain Ranges - 16kms (7-8 hours)
Windermere Hut to New Pelion Hut (Mt Pelion West, Frog Flats)
Highlights: Ancient myrtle rainforest, mountain vistas.
This day’s walk is the longest for the trip so we depart Windermere Hut for New Pelion Hut at around 8:30am. After departing Lake Windermere, we walk across a button grass covered plateau. After approximately one hour, we arrive at the Forth River Lookout. The glacial valley of the Forth River is cloaked in giant eucalypt forest. After a short break we continue onto Pine Forest Moor. The vegetation changes into short myrtle rainforest. These gnarled, moss covered forests resemble scenes from the Lord of the Rings.
We stop for lunch on the banks of Pelion Creek near the base of Mt Pelion West. After lunch, we continue walking through Frog Flats and on to New Pelion Hut. This section of the track follows the old pack horse trail constructed in 1898 to get miners from the eastern population centres to the mining fields of the West Coast. The forest changes once again to tall rainforest dominated by myrtle, sassafras and leatherwood trees.
The track begins to level out and the alpine grasslands appear on our left hand side as we near the end of the day’s walk. The camp is located on the edge of alpine grasslands with views across to Mt Oakleigh. If you wish to go for another refreshing swim, the guides will explain the location of a perfect swimming hole.
Day 4: Pelion Gap and Mt Ossa - 9kms (4 hours) - Side Trip up Mt Ossa (additional 4 hours) - Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut
Highlights: Unique alpine vegetation, mountain views, Pelion Gap, climbing Mt Ossa.
We depart camp and begin the climb towards Pelion Gap. Today, we have the chance to ascend Mt Ossa, the highest mountain in Tasmania at 1613m. The side trip to Mt Ossa is competed without a back pack. On a clear day, Mt Ossa is an amazing platform for viewing the southern section of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair World Heritage Area. Mountain range after mountain range spread out to the horizon. There is a definite sense of being at the edge of the world. The alpine vegetation includes cushion plants, ancient pines and scoparia. Views of the Du Cane range and Cathedral Mountain are a feature as we descend through Pinestone Valley on our way to Kia Ora Hut.
Day 5: Waterfalls, Huts and Mountain Ranges - 8kms + 2.5km of side trips (7 hours)
Kia Ora Hut to Burt Nicholls Hut
Highlights: the historic Du Cane Hut, Fergusson, Hartnett and D’Alton Falls, Du Cane Gap, ancient myrtle rain forest.
We depart Kia Ora Hut and continue walking south towards Du Cane Hut. The turn off for the first of the two side trips for the day is reached after about 1 1/2 hours of walking, the last half an hour through temperate rainforest before descending to D'Alton and Fergusson Falls. Depending on recent rainfall, the Mersey River can be literally thumping through these waterfalls. We return to the main track and continue walking through the rain forest to the next side trip, Hartnett Falls where we stop for lunch and a swim. After lunch we climb to Du Cane Gap, before descending through tall eucalypt forests and arriving at Burt Nicholls hut.
Day 6: Lake St Clair - 9kms (3 hours) - Burt Nicholls Hut to Narcissus Hut, boat cruise across Lake St. Clair and return to Hobart.
Highlights: Lake St Clair, Traveller Range, Pine Valley, Ancient King Billy Pine Forest.
We depart at 8:30am to allow time to reach the ferry pick up point for lunch. This day is a nine km stroll alongside the Traveller Range, down the Narcissus River to Lake St Clair, the deepest lake in Australia at 167m. There is time to explore Narcissus Hut and surrounding area before boarding the ferry. The ferry takes around 25 minutes before reaching Cynthia Bay. The trip provides excellent view of the rainforest-flanked banks of the lake as well as Mt Olympus and Mt Ida. On arrival at the National Parks and Wildlife Service Visitors Centre, we have lunch before departing for Hobart. The drive to Hobart takes around three hours arriving at approximately 6:30pm to take you to your accommodation or transport i.e. bus or airport.
Courtesy Pickup - available from city hotel locations only in Hobart or Launceston.
Notes:
Arrival/Departure Flights - You must plan to arrive in your destination the day prior to the walk. On departure - the return point is only Hobart.
From Hobart - no flights before 8.30pm on the final day- or overnight stay required
Transport - 12 seater Hiace or equivalent
Trip Inclusions
• All meals including snacks from lunch on day one to lunch on day eight.
• All group camping equipment including all first aid and safety gear.
• Experienced and professional guides with a passion for Tasmania’s wild places.
• Transport from and back to your accommodation (refer notes on pick up points and drop off points above to ensure you are within range).
• Entry fees to National Parks/reserves/tours/ferries.
Not Included
• Accommodation prior to the start or at the end of the tour
• Flights
• Breakfast on morning 1 and dinner on last day
• Travel Insurance
Accommodation - Twin share quality bushwalking tent - on tent platforms (single tents are used when there are uneven group numbers).
Single travelers - There are no single supplements on this tour. Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
The Overland Track
The trail is a world famous walking route. The trail meanders through an alpine wonderland traversing around the base of numerous spectacular mountain ranges. The gradient is undulating but relatively flat considering the surrounding terrain, except for day one where we encounter a very steep climb to Crater Lake and Kitchen Hut. Day Four involves a day walk without a pack to the summit of Mt Ossa. The track is steep but well formed. The longest section of the track is on day three and is 17km in length. The track consists of highly maintained walking routes including extensive duck boards and stairs. Depending on the weather, there are muddy sections on the track, however with the appropriate shoes, you can generally maintain dry feet.
Overland Track Grading - We grade this walk according to an individual’s experience and fitness level. For someone who has never gone on an overnight bush walk carrying a similar weight to what we require, this walk will be moderate- challenging for you. For regular bush walkers you will find the Walk easy to moderate. It is recommended everyone participates in our pre-trip training program.
The Tarkine Explorer is a tour that we've developed for people who don't feel confident to embark on this walk.
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