Overland Track

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Summary

2011

November
December


8, 22
6


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2012

January
February
March
April

3, 17, 31
14, 28
13, 27
10, 24

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The average distance you walk per day is 10km. The average pack weight is 14-16kgs. 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. See the detailed trip grading by opening up the itinerary PDF below.

See above for breakdown of days and activities. Also refer to the Tarkine Explorer Itinerary PDF by using the link below.

We utilise custom made tent platforms that were built by Parks & Wildlife. The group platforms are separate from the public tent platforms which allows for greater privacy. We use large roomy tents from Mountain Equipment Co-op from Canada, one of the few ethical bushwalking gear manufacturers. Single tents are used when we have uneven group numbers.

2010/ 11

$1,699 per person

Seasons run from Oct to May

Use the headings to the left to view additional details on this tour.

Enquire nowItinerary PDF

Day one

Highlights

  • Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake & Marion’s Lookout

  • Barn Bluff

  • Unique alpine vegetation, alpine plateaus

  • Waterfall Valley. The welcome dinner

The Overland Track departs from Ronny Creek car park and ascends the moderately steep track to Crater Lake where we stop for lunch. After lunch the ascent continues until we reach Marion’s Lookout and then on to the Cradle Plateau towards the base of Cradle Mountain. We traverse around the base of Cradle Mountain exploring the unique alpine vegetation including king billy pines and the ground hugging cushion plant communities. On our descent to the campsite we encounter a stand of the unique richea pandanafolia, the world’s largest heath plant, found only in alpine Tasmania. The final descent into Waterfall Valley also provides views of the track heading south, a taste of the days to come.

Day two

Highlights

  • Mountain vistas

  • Unique alpine moor

  • Optional side trip to Lake Will

  • Lake Windermere and a swim for those who are keen

We depart Waterfall Valley Hut and continue our journey south. Located close to Waterfall Valley are a number of spectacular waterfalls surrounded by alpine rain forest 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. The track continues across undulating alpine plains before climbing to an open alpine moor where there is an optional side trip to Lake Will. We continue across the alpine moor to the camp which 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 three

Highlights

  • Ancient myrtle rainforest

  • Views of Mt Ossa, Pelion West and Mount Oakleigh

  • Forth Valley lookout

  • Button grass plains

This day’s walk is the longest for the trip so we depart Windermere Hut for New Pelion Hut at around 8:30am. 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. During this section of the track we encounter varying vegetation including both short rain forest and tall rainforest comprised of Leatherwood, Sassafras and Myrtle. We continue walking down to the lowest point on the track at Frog Flats before climbing up to Pelion Plains and the campsite at New Pelion Hut.

Day four

Highlights

  • Unique alpine vegetation

  • Views of Cathedral Mountain and the Du Cane Range

  • Pelion Gap

  • Climbing Mt Ossa

We depart camp at around 9.00am and head towards Pelion Gap. Today, we have the chance to ascend Mt Ossa, the highest mountain in Tasmania at 1617m. The walk to the turnoff is a gentle 2 hour climb. The side trip to Mt Ossa is completed 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. The alpine vegetation includes Cushion Plants, ancient pines and Scoparia. As we descend down into Pinestone Valley, on the way to Kia Ora Hut, there are great views of Cathedral Mountain and the Du Cane Range.

Day five

Highlights

  • The historic Du Cane Hut

  • Fergusson, Hartnett and D’Alton Falls

  • Du Cane Gap

  • Ancient Myrtle rain forest.

We depart Kia Ora Hut at 9.00am and continue walking south. After one hour of walking, we pass Du Cane Hut as we enter the rainforest. Another ½ hour of walking and we reach the first of the two side trips for the day. The first is a short walk to D’Alton & Hartnett Falls. Depending on recent rainfall, the Mersey River can be literally thumping through these waterfalls. Lunch is further down the at our second side trip to Fergusson Falls. After lunch we climb over Du Cane Gap, descending through tall Eucalypt forests before arriving at Bert Nicholls Hut (formally Windy Ridge).

Day six

Highlights

  • Traveller Range

  • Lake St Clair

  • Great views of Mt Geryon, Mt Olympus and the Acropolis

Today is a flat 3 hour walk from Burt Nicholls Hut to Narcissus Hut and Lake St Clair. You will be following the path of a huge glacier that filled the valley about 20,000 years ago. You will get great views of surrounding mountains as you walk through patches of shady rainforest and stands of tall eucalypts. We depart around 1pm for a 25min boat ride across Australia’s deepest lake before a BBQ lunch next to the Lake St Clair visitor centre. We depart for Hobart at approx 3pm

Jump to day 123456

View information about our Tarkine Explorer walking tour here
View information about our Tarkine Rainforest Track walking tour here
View information about our Wild Tarkine Coast walking tour here
View information about our Specialist walking tours here
View information about our Devil Project here

Read testimonials from Tarkine Trails customers here


Our passion for an integrated approach to sustainability..

The environmental policy of all our eco tours fall out of our love and respect for the natural world and that we look beyond what is simply “good for us” when making decisions that impact the environment. That we give voice to environmental injustice when we see it and work creatively toward win-win solutions that protect the environment for the benefit of people today and future generations. Specific outcomes of this environmental policy for our eco tours include:

• A policy of “Maximum Respect Bush walking ” which embraces and develops upon the philosophy of minimal impact walking. This idea encourages us to recognise that we are a part of the natural environment and as such damage to “it” is damage ultimately to us.
• Offering organic food (where possible) with minimal and reusable packaging.
• Each year we offset the emissions (fuel, travel and electricity) our business creates by paying climate friendly to invest in the renewable energy industry. Rather than try to offset the carbon emissions from food we have a policy of buying as much of our food & wine from local suppliers and growers as well as buying organic where possible.
• Use 100%, post consumer waste recycled paper for all our office paper needs.

Great tasting, high quality food is an essential part of a memorable walking experience

Once you are out there, there’s no going back, so it’s important that the food tastes great, is good for you and provides all of your energy requirements for the duration of the walk. Over many years of walking, we have honed our meals to a precise art and they are very scrumptious.
We spare no expense with food ensuring that you have the tastiest and healthiest options available. All three tours provide you with the opportunity to experience a variety of Tasmanian cheeses, wines and seafood. On arrival at camp your guides will create tasty meals ranging from Indian Curries to Asian Stir Fry followed up with cleverly prepared desserts.

We take great care in sourcing all the ingredients from the highest quality suppliers (local where possible) and attempt to buy organically grown ingredients wherever possible. We believe organically grown food tastes better, is better for you and the planet. Please let us know if you have any particular wants / needs / desires in regards to food, such as allergies to particular foods, coeliac disease, vegan or diabetic dietary requirements. We are happy to assist in any way we can.

During the course of a walking day, tasty snacks are an essential companion. We provide the following items on all of our trips.
• Museli bars. Tasmanian made by the famous Bunji with the goodness of oats, honey and tahini, mmm. simply very tasty.
• A selection of high quality chocolate
• Packets of Natural lollies
• Our delicious trail mix made up of organic nuts, fruit and yummy things.

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Whats included on the trip

• All meals including snacks from lunch on day one to lunch on day six.
• All group camping equipment including all first aid and safety gear (rental gear available for some personal items – see detailed itinerary for more information).
• 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 day 6

Hear from those people who’ve experienced it.

These quotes have been takes from clients feedback forms and are generally the answer to the question “what did you like best about this trip?”

Food was amazing! Great healthy, filling meals.
Great equipment. Everything I hired was excellent. Loved the pack.
Excellent organisiation for transport etc, so much easier than organising it yourself. BBQ at the end was soooo good!
The breathtaking landscape, encounters with wildlife and info about history of the track.