Map Sheet Tasmap Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair NP Map 1:100000
‘The Overland Track’ – Frank & Sue Wall (ebook)
‘The Overland Track’ – Warwick Sprawson
‘Overland Track’ – John & Monica Chapman

First Day

We pick up from Hobart (11:00 am) and or Launceston (2.00pm) and drive to our accommodation at Cradle Mountain. Travel takes around 2 1/2hrs and the briefing and equipment outfitting takes an hour or so. Guides will prepare a hearty meal along with a sample of local wines. You’ll have the entire evening to fine tune your packing as any extra luggage can be left on the bus (to be stored securely and reunited with you at the end of your walk).

Walking Days:

Day 1: Start- Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley (11klm)
Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere (9klm)
Day 3: Windermere to Pelion (17klm)
Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora (9klm)
Day 5: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge (10klm)
Day 6: Windy Ridge to End- Narcissus (9klm)

DAY ONE

Distance: 11 km
Estimated Time: 5-6 hours walking + optional side tracks

After breakfast you’ll have time to complete your packing, then we will set off for the steady climb up onto the Cradle plateau via Marion’s Lookout. Steep in parts, though well contoured, the track passes waterfalls, glacial lakes and meanders through open buttongrass and alpine heath with occasional forested groves. Once on the plateau you will be surrounded (in good weather) by grand views of near and distant mountain ranges. Shimmering lakes below and craggy peaks ahead, especially the crags of Cradle Mountain dominating the foreground. Kitchen Hut, near the Cradle Mountain summit turnoff, is a great setting for a longer break, perhaps lunch if the timing is right. If conditions allow, those who are interested will have the option to climb to the summit of Cradle Mountain with day packs (3-4 hours return). From here, The Overland Track traverses the western flanks of Cradle Mountain to Benson’s Peak and around the rim of an impressive carved glacial valley head (‘cirque’) below Mt. Emmet. The walking from here, on timber tracks, allows a chance to take in the views, the scenery opens to reveal distant ranges and the route to be taken over the next few days. Barn Bluff looms closer as we near the descent to Waterfall Valley. Down through Fagus and Pandani groves and to our first overnight stop on the forested edge of the valley floor.

Day Two

Distance: 9 km
Estimated Time: 2.5 – 3 hours + optional side tracks

Today we start with a short diversion to take in the waterfalls in the valley before we head off across ridges and undulating button grass plains that will be with us for the rest of the day. This is shorter day, a more leisurely ramble in which we shake out the strains of the first day and take our time over lunch in a sheltered setting near the main track.. In the afternoon we cross further open country with expansive views of mountain ranges to come. Mid afternoon usually has us descending to our campsite among the Eucalypts near Lake Windermere (another welcome swimming opportunity on warmer afternoons). There are often a range of resident Wombats, Wallabies and other wildlife to be seen around the lake and campsite.

Side Track: Given good weather, we can take a detour here to the shores of Lake Will at the southern base of Barn Bluff. The (relatively) warm shallows of the lake provide a great place for a swim in fine summer weather.

Day Three

Distance: 17 km
Estimated Time: 6 – 7 hours

Out on to open plains again crossing creeks and tracts of temperate forest, we’ll catch glimpses of the day’s journey ahead, the Forth River valley and the mountains surrounding the valley and over to Pelion Plains opposite. We make our way across Buttongrass moors and around Mt Pelion West as the track heads down through the forests on the mountainside. We will normally stop for lunch at ‘Frog Flats’ near the headwaters of the Forth River. From here (the lowest point on the track), we have an hour or two further; back up again, and across the plains to our Pelion campsite near Douglas Creek.

Day Four

Distance: 9 km
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours + optional side tracks

Our day will start with a gradual climb up through the eucalypt forests above our camp, which steepens through patches of rainforest until we reach the exposed but stunningly scenic Pelion Gap. From here, those who are keen can take the 4-5 hour side trip (with day packs) to Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest point. The climb up is very steep, and will involve plenty of scrambling but is highly recommended for those looking for a challenge. From Pelion Gap the track descends gently down through the beautiful Pinestone Valley, before a steep pinch  into the dry sclerophyll forests where the evening’s camp (Kia Ora) is located.

Day Five

Distance: 10 km
Estimated Time: 4-5 hours + optional side tracks

Today, in contrast to previous days, we enter a world of rainforests and waterfalls. An hour or so after setting out we emerge from the forest briefly at historic Ducane Hut under the impressive spires of Falling Mountain. After a break at the hut we step back into the rainforest and travel parallel to the Mersey River. From here to Windy Ridge campsite, involves a climb through ‘Ducane Gap’ and takes a further hour and a half- two hours. Not far, and on nice afternoons we can take our time among the rainforest giants.

Side Track: We drop packs for a longer exploration and to visit some picture perfect and often spectacular waterfalls along the Mersey River.

Day Six

Distance: 9 km
Estimated Time: 3 hours

You will have noticed another change in the terrain the previous afternoon. From Windy Ridge down onto Lake St. Clair the country is drier with more eucalypts, wattles, banksia and hakea, and a plethora of understory flowering plants, often with a corresponding increase in birdlife. We catch views of the spires of Mt. Geryon, The Acropolis and back to The Ducane Range, usually reaching the lake around 11am and the end of the walk, on the jetty . From here a ferry takes us to Cynthia Bay, where we will meet the bus (and your luggage). After a well earned burger at a nearby cafe, we will jump on the bus and drive for 2.5/3 hours back to your drop-off location.