Overland Track – 5 Nights/ 6 Days 85kms Tasmania Australia 2020

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The Overland Track is Australia’s premier alpine walk. This challenging journey attracts hikers from all corners of the globe. Beginning at Ronny Creek, Cradle Mountain and ending at Australia’s deepest lake – Lake St Clair, Cynthia Bay

 

This six day trek will take you through Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National park, part of the World Heritage Area.

 

length 65 km – Or option to walk around lake St Clair for another 18kms 

Highest Point: Alpine plateau between Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut, 1,250m –

Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania Australia.

 

The Overland Track is often peoples first serious multiple day trek. It is a serious challenge and good preparation is key to your enjoyment and survival. Hazards that may include are Hypothermia, Snake bites (tiger snakes) Cliffs and uneven ground from tree roots and large rocks.

 

The Overland Track is about you connecting with this amazing wilderness, so while six days is the average time taken to walk the track. you can create your own itinerary depending on how many rest days or side-trips you wish to do.

Most trekkers finish their journey at Narcissus Hut at the head of Lake St Clair where they board private ferry (booking required) to arrive at  at Cynthia Bay. Or you might choose to walk the 18 km length of the lake through rainforest to the visitor centre, extending your journey by a day. And this is what I have done, made it a full accomplishment of doing the whole trail.

Almost half of the track is above 1000 metres in elevation on exposed plateaus in a remote areas. then the last half is in Forrests and lower elevations to Lake St Clair.

 

 

One walk – Many Journeys

 

REMEMBER TO – LEAVE NO TRACE

 

 

 

Day One – 15/2/20 – Transfer from Launceston to Cradle Mountain

 

Some of us stayed in Launceston on Friday the 14th before meting the rest of the group on the 15th. It was a relaxing morning in town having breakfast, visiting a local farmers market and the Monkey’s in Royal Park.

3pm was our departure time but I got the whole group together around 2pm so we were there ready and waiting for our transfer out to Cradle Mountain.

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Day Two – 16/2/20 – Ronny Creek to Scott Kilvert Hut 12km (side trip to Cradle Mountain 2km) Total 14km – 8.5hrs

 

It was a sluggish start for the majority of the group as we had to take the return 2km back up to the track head. And about 1hr later we reached Water Valley

It was a early start of a 8am departure for our walk to the newly developed visitors centre. And being the first group there, we were the first to check in. The briefing process has changed from recent years, now you have to complete a 15 minute visual or verbal briefing. I then issued everyones their Overland track pass to be attached on the outside of the pack at all times.

It was then off to the shuttle bus for a 15 minute ride to Ronny Creek – The offical start of the Overland track. Once we did our final preparations and gaiters ON –

It was time for final photos before we started with our first steps on the duck board and the alpine grass in our surroundings. Our first bridge / creek crossing was just to the left and not before too long there was our first water fall.

Our first Challenge was already met – As one of our fellow hikers was concerned that they were not up to the task. I made it blunt that you have come all this way to this point. You will be coming with us to the first nights hut.

Worst case you can walk out back to Cradle Mountain the next day. And you will not worry about being at the back of the group. “We as a group are friends here ” They ended up walking on with us for the rest of the journey and had a awesome time.

We completed a rise and then a undulating period before we reached Crater Lake for a short photo stop. Wow –

 

We then continued for the rise up to Marions Lookout and the fun little chain climb. Marions lookout is your first look at Cradle Mountain. And a chance for a photo stop.

The track then undulates to Kitchen Hut and is the point where you will down your pack for your day pack to Summit Cradle Mountain.

 

SIDE Trip –

Cradle Mountain

Its only about a 2km return hike though seems a little more than that. The track starts as your typical rise up a mountain until you hit rocks and before you know it you are clambering over large boulders. It becomes rather technical if you are not use to this type of climbing.

Once you go over two saddles, above the second you then reach the summit. You then reach a large rock cain and a trig / survey point. Congrats on a sunny day the views are absolutely 360 degreee and just gorgeous.

 

 

We all meet back at Kitchen Hut for the final 6km walk to Scott Kilvert Hut. We walk past the western face of Cradle Mountain and to the start of the ridge thats open and exposed. Here is the intersection and the 2km descent down to our hut for the night.

Scott Kilvert hut is a temporary hut for the Overland track while Waterfall valley gets a make over. Its unfortunate because its not actually part of the trail and can be accessed via Dove lake on the Lake Rodway trail . This is a beautiful part of the park down on lake Rodway, a swim in the lake or take in relaxing views of Cradle Mountain.

 

 

Day Three – 17/2/20 – Scott Kilvert Hut to Lake Windermere 12km (Side Trip to Lake Will 3km) Total 15km –

 

It was a sluggish start for the majority of the group as we had to take the return 2km back up to the track head.

Once back up at the track head, It is a less strenuous section over alpine heath, lakes and tarns. Its all exposed and above 1000m. Quite a scenic part of the walk, however be prepared for wind and rain. We had lunch a little south of Water Fall Valley off track in some shade –

We make Lake Windermere mid afternoon and in such a magic day the lake was saying “COME IN”. So our first “port of call” was to pitch our tents as there was no room for the whole group as the hut only sleeps 16.

Once pitched, myself and 6 others were off back down to Lake Windermere which is about 500m north for a swim. Absolutely gorgeous blue skies and the water was not as cold as I thought it might be.

 

 

Wow what a beauty The Overland Track is –

 

​Side trip –

Lake Will

After lunch we headed off to Lake Will, here in the 1890’s coal mining was conducted by Joseph Wills. A 3km return walk on Duck Board leads you to a gorgeous alpine lake with Bahn Bluff as a dramatic backdrop. Time is easily spent here for either lunch or relaxing break.

 

 

 

Day Four – 18/2/20 – Lake Windermere to Pelion Hut 17km (Side Trip Old Pelion Hut 1km return)

 

We woke this morning for it to be a foggy morning and our departure time of 8:30 is starting to improve as we get used to the process of waking up, breakfast and packing up ready to leave. We depart with the fog and we walk out of the pine forest moor, its cloudy with threatening rain north in the distance.

Side Trip –

Fourth Valley Lookout – A short walk off the track to a amazing lookout down into fourth Valley. A great group photo opportunity.

 

 

In the distance you can see: Pelion East, Mt Ossa, Pelion West and the Du Cane Range. The day consist of walking though button grass and myrtle beech forest and with a mix of Eucalyptus forest too.

We reach Pelion hut right as it started raining, So Timed It Well and went straight into the hut to claim a bunk inside. We arrived early enough to have most of the group together in one room. While everyone sort shelter in the hut for the night as it sleeps 36 people.

 

 

The Overland Track – One Walk Many Journey’s

 

Day Five – 19/2/20 – Pelion Hut to Windy Ridge Hut (Bert Nichols) 18km (Side trips to D’Alton and Ferguson Falls 1.5km) Total 19.5km –

 

Day four is all about rainforests and the surrounding peaks – After Douglas Creek you will ascend to Pelion Gap, where often the weather is very unpredictable here and can be cooler. Pelion Gap presents side trips to Pelion East and Mt Osa. Weather permitting, often there is one peak on the overland that you may not be able to climb due to inclement weather.

Good luck – I have done Mt Osa Before, so it was no biggie for me – Next time? yes I would like to do it again.

As that was the case with us, most of the group was not going to climb up Mt Osa. So due to inclement weather in the morning, I pretty much made the decision for all of us to walk on past Ki Ora hut to Windy Ridge.

Lunch was perfectly timed to reach Ki Ora Hut – A beautiful little hut situated near Ki Ora Creek where you can have a wash and replenish your water. This hut sleeps 20, however there is a Tiger snake issue there around the toilets at Ki Ora. Be mindful make a little noise with your feet when walking and remain calm.

After convincing one of our walking buddies to continue walking with us. they were experiencing tightness in the side of the knee, which in no doubt was also tightness up his leg and into his lower buttock. After some help and advice he was then good to go and we are all glad he mentally saw it through – Well done mate.

 

 

Ki Ora To Bert Nicholls (Windy Ridge)

 

From Kia Ora Creek, the track continues through ancient rainforest to the historic Du Cane Hut. This hut was built in 1910, it provides a great location for a break and should only be used as a emergency shelter.

It’s then through Sassafras and Myrtle forrest, then you will reach the intersection for D’ Alton and Ferguson Falls.

 

Side Trips –

D’ Alton and Fergusson Falls – 1.5km and 1hr return, Both are impressive water falls though you cannot reach the base of them. Fantastic side trip from the trail.

Another 20 minutes up the trail you will reach the intersection to Harnett Falls. This waterfall you can walk down to the base and possibly enjoy a swim.

The final 4kms into Windy Ridge Felt like a eternity walking through the forrest with tree root after tree root and if it wasn’t roots you had to negotiate large rocks before the decent down to Windy Ridge and Bert Nicholls Hut.

Situated at the top of the valley which once would have been part of glacial moraine wall from the surrounding mountains. This hut sleep 24 and it has a rather large dining area that looks out to the Acropolis and the Du Cane Range as an amazing backdrop.

 

 

Day Six – 20/2/20 – Windy Ridge to Narcissus Hut / Then Echo Point (Total 15km)

For many this marks the end of the overland trail with as fairly easy 9km walk through Narcissus valley through eucalyptus and button grass. You will need to cross the river via a suspension bridge. Narcissus Hut is on the banks of narcissus river at the northern end of lake St Clair. We were to have lunch here for 1hr.

Narcissus Hut is the end of the trail for many as the ferry is just a short 10 minute walk. If you are catching it to Cynthia Bay you should have already pre booked and paid the $50 fee. This hut sleeps up to 18 people.

For us it was a onward journey to Echo Point on Lake St Claire through beech forrest, we arrived at the hut around 4pm after 5kms and 3 hours of hiking.

Echo Point is a small rustic hut and its normally a very quite camp site as many decide to get the ferry to Cynthia Bay. Well not tonight as with the 12 of us and at least 6 more, I’am sure it was one of its busiest nights.

A rather cool night and pending rain around 9pm meant I lit the coal heater for the hut.

 

 

 

 

Day Seven – 21/2/20 Echo Point to Cynthia Bay (Lake St Clair Visitors Centre) Total 11km 4hrs

We woke with wet tents but no rain, a quick break and a departure at 8:30 for our 4 hour walk out through the same beech forrest that never seems to end. It did eventually change to eucalypt forrest. And Just north of watersmeet we saw signs for local attractions and only 2km till the visitors centre. Probably 1km out it started raining but to be done with the rain gear we are almost there.

 

WAHOOOO – we made it –

 

Its a shame that the rain came at the time it did, because I bit of time around the jetty or a swim would have been great.

It was straight to the visitors centre for a bite to eat and the souvenir shop. Food and beer – what more could someone want?

The weather was generally fine – With the first half of our adventure in warm sunny skies and the back end from Pelion Hut to Cynthia Bay some rain and a bit gloomy.

I officially signed everyone off the track.

The Overland Track – Book now for a unforgettable experience

And our 2pm departure with our driver Ian for Hobart got us to the Montecute Hostel at Battery point at 5pm. And here we were to spend the next two nights.

Montecute is 5 stars for hostel – Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse is a multi-award winning boutique hostel in Hobart Tasmania.

The next day myself and 7 of the group did a tour with Bruny Island Sarfari’s. On the Sunday Myself and 5 others from the group went on a 3 night road trip to experience more of what Tasmania has to offer.

 

 

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All images are from (C) Indigo Photography

Norman Herfurth Indigo Photography Yours In Adventure 

“This Blog is of the Opinion of my own Personal Experiences and are not necessarily Fact.. and is written to the best of my knowledge, but there may be omissions, errors or mistakes. This blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as any kind of advice.”