Hiking Tasmania's Overland Track
The Overland Track Is A Unique Hike In Australian World Heritage
Sep 25, 2008
The Tasmanian government states that “The Overland Track is Tasmania's premier bushwalking experience.”
When to Hike
The main hiking season is 1 November to 30 April. During this time a booking arrangement is in place. Walkers pay a fee and only walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair (north to south).
Logistics
Most hikers start at Launceston on the north coast of Tasmania. A bus then takes them to the start of the track near Waldheim Chalet at Cradle Mountain.
At the end of the hike at Narcissus, there is a 30 minute ferry ride on Lake St Clair to the Cynthia Bay tourist area. A bus can then be taken to Tasmania’s capital Hobart, about three hours away.
How To Hike The Track
Hikers can either travel with a commercial guiding service that provides comfortable cabins with meals cooked at the end of each day’s walk. The alternative is for a hiker to make their own arrangements and travel independent.
Overland Track Huts
Each campsite has a cabin, which is a first-in, first-served basis. Bush toilets are provided at each hut.
During the hiking season, 60 walkers start each day from Cradle Mountain. The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service says “walkers can spend as many days as they like on the track which can result in a varying number of people at each overnight point, so overnight hut spaces cannot be guaranteed.” A tent must be carried in case the cabins are full, or bad weather prevents a hiker reaching a hut.
The huts are easy to locate, however for techo hikers, the following are useful GPS coordinates (Australian Geocentric 1994 (GDA94)).
Waterfall Valley -41.714730, 145.946870
Windermere -41.771590, 145.956270
Pelion -41.829540, 146.046360
Kia Ora -41.892190, 146.081500
Windy Ridge (Bert Nichols Hut) -41.932090, 146.088990
Narcissus -42.012530, 146.101620
What to Carry
Full overnight hiking gear must be carried. This includes food, cooking utensils and a fuel stove. The huts have sleeping areas and communal cooking and eating areas.
Water
Water is available from streams, but should be boiled or chemically treated before drinking. Rain water tanks are located at each hut.
How Hard Is the Track?
The Overland Track is a challenging hike and hikers must carry a full pack for six or more days. The first day is the hardest with steep climbs up to Crater Lake, beside Cradle Mountain. The remainder is a generally undulating track with many boardwalks.
The following are distances and times between huts suggested by the Tasmania government.
Start (near Waldheim Chalet) to Waterfall Valley, 6 hours, 10 kilometres
Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere, 3 hours, 7.75 kilometres
Windermere to Pelion, 7 hours, 16.75 kilometres
Pelion to Kia Ora, 3 hours, 9 kilometres
Kia Ora to Windy Ridge, 4 hours, 10 kilometres
Windy Ridge to Narcissus Bay, 3 hours, 9 kilometres
Weather
Tasmania is renowned for rapidly changing weather. A hiker on the Overland Track should be prepared for four seasons in one day; from blazing sun to sleet and even snow in the middle of summer.
Things to Do
At the end of the track, it is possible to walk from Narcissus Bay to Cynthia Bay along Lake St Clair, rather than catching the ferry. Allow another day for this walk.
Tasmania's tallest mountain, Mount Ossa is a four hour side trip on the track between Pelion and Kia Ora.
The Overland Track is a unique walk of international reputation through some of the world’s true wilderness areas.
For other hiking destinations in Australasia, refer to:
Hiking New Zealand’s Milford Track
Tips For Hiking The Kokoda Track
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