Overland Track - Tasmania

Trail/Location

The Overland Track is a 65km track running north to south from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. I walked around 87km over 6 days, which included several optional side trips. Mt Ossa (the highest mountain in Tasmania) was one of these side trips and is a must for the more adventurous person.

This part of Tasmania is best accessed from Launceston, about 2.5 hours drive from Cradle Mountain.

Best Time to Walk

The Track is open all year but hiking options are more limited during the winter season (June-Sept) and for the hard core only. As with any mountainous area, the weather can change quickly, and it can snow on the track at any time of the year. I completed the walk in April and apart from a wet Day 1, the weather was beautiful – brisk mornings under cloudless blue skies. December to April is the best time to hike this track.

Trail and Terrain

The track is a well marked, moderately difficult walk, through sub-alpine country. A lot of the track is covered with raised boardwalk, so terrain is not an issue.
The highest point in the area is Mt Ossa (Tasmania’s highest mountain at 1,617m), which is a half day side trip off the main track. Most of the track undulates between about 800m-1200m of altitude.

Amenities and Facilities

Permits are required for all walkers. For self-catered walkers, there is basic hut accommodation along the trail and every hut site has platforms for setting up tents.
If you are going self-guided, the huts have communal bunks and kitchen, composting toilets, and untreated water. Space is based on a first come/first served basis. Carrying a tent is recommended in case there is no space left in huts.
I went the guided option with the Tasmanian Walking company. They have their own private huts. These huts include twin share rooms, dry room, toilets, showers, and a communal dining room where you are served a hot breakfast and dinner.

Level of Difficulty

Going the guided option, I only had to carry a day pack with clothing, water, and lunch/snacks (which were provided each day).
Other than some climbing on Day 1 and the side trip to Mount Ossa, the track was gently undulating and not difficult.
The region does get a lot of rain, so you need to be prepared for wet weather. We got rain on Day 1, but then sunny the rest of the walk. Having said this, 2021/22 period has been one of Tasmania’s driest on record! I would rate difficulty at about 4/10.

Hike Summary

Pristine/untouched sub-alpine wilderness. Very rugged and unique terrain.
The walk starts from Cradle Mountain, approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Launceston.
Day 1 – We commenced our hike late morning from Waldheim Lodge near Cradle Mountain. We hiked in the rain to Marions Lookout where we were rewarded with views (through heavy mist) over Crater Lake, the larger Dove Lake and the summits of Cradle Mountain and Little Horn. From here we had a short hike to Kitchen Hut for lunch. The afternoon was a very pleasant hike in the sunshine with great views towards Barns Bluff. We stayed at Barn Bluff Hut for our first night where we were treated to some Tasmanian pepper berry cheese, Atlantic Salmon and chocolate fudge accompanied by some great Tasmanian wines. A total of 14.3km walked.
Day 2 – A cloudless blue sky to commence the day before the mist came in mid-morning. Lovely undulating plains as we hiked to Lake Will then Lake Windermere for lunch and a very fresh swim. The afternoon’s landscape changed to dense forests and then open tussock areas before arriving at Pine Forest Moor Hut. Lovely views from the hut of Mt Oakleigh and Mt Pelion West. With side trips a total of 17.7km. If you are using public huts this day is much shorter.
Day 3 – A cruisy day through flattish countryside to Pelion Plains Hut. A total of 14.7km with side trips to The Old Pelion Hut and a fossil site near Pelion Public Hut. Mt Oakleigh (1,386m) was a dominating presence on the skyline for the entire day. This can be climbed as a side trip as time permits. A relaxing evening with a great group of people.
Day 4 - The day starts with a 4km walk to Pelion Gap (1,126m). An opportunity to refuel and drop our bags before we commence the climb of Mt Ossa (for those of us that took the Mt Ossa option). The first part of the climb was on raised boardwalk to Mount Doris. From here the track got steeper with a large amount of rock scrambling. The climb eventually levelled out to a mountain top plateau with picture postcard views in all directions. We were extremely lucky to have no clouds or wind at the summit! Back down to Pelion Gap to pick up our bags and then on to Kia Ora Hut. A total of 15.3km. Kia Ora Hut would be my pick of the private huts on the track, with stunning views of Cathedral Mountain.
Day 5 – After the rigours of the previous day, it was a flat walk to Du Cane Hut in brilliant sunshine. The track then moved through a dark myrtle forest before arriving at a junction where we dropped our packs and did a small side trip to the Fergusson and D’Alton Falls. After some lunch, we had a gentle climb to Du Cane Gap before descending to Windy Ridge hut for the evening. A total of 13.4km for the day.
Day 6 – This was the last day of the Overland Track. A short 11.1km of easy walking to Narcissus Hut on Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. We all had a quick swim in the frigid water before a 30min ferry ride to Cynthia Bay. For the purists, the walk to Cynthia Bay via the Overland Track adds another 16km of walking. After a browse of the gift shop and a quick refreshment at the pub, we were picked up by a Tasmanian Walking Company bus for the 3.5-hour journey back to Entally Lodge (Tasmanian Walking Company base).

Conclusions

With everything taken care of this was a very relaxing hike. I ate extremely well, was able to relax/sleep in comfortable and warm huts and got to know a great bunch of people (group of 12).
Tasmanian Walking Company do an excellent job. Guiding, food and huts were all first class.
I would recommend you do as many side trips as you can fit in. I only go to sample a few and wished I had done more.
Highly recommended walk. Unique, pristine and ever-changing scenery.

OVERLAND TRACK - TASMANIA