Overland Track Self Guided Walk

Launceston to Cradle Mountain National Park, walk to Waterfall Valley Hut

We pick you up from Launceston accommodation between 7-7:30am and drive 2.5 hours to Cradle Valley, Ronny Creek; the official start of the Overland Track. From here your self guided adventure on the Overland Track begins. Spend the morning walking up past lakes and tarns to the top of the Cradle Plateau where you are rewarded with views of Dove Lake and an endless horizon of impressive mountain ranges. After lunch, weather and time permitting, you may opt for a side trip to the craggy summit of Cradle Mountain before making your way to Waterfall Valley Hut for your first night in the Great Outdoors.Walking Distance: 10Km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 Hours + side trips

Trek to Lake Windermere Hut

After breakfast at your campsite you continue south to Lake Windermere. A leisurely day that offers time for a side trip to Lake Will – named after a coal prospector in the 1800s. There is opportunity to have a relaxing lunch and swim from the sandy shores of Lake Will. Returning to your pack, you head across rolling button grass plains to the beautiful hut and campsites at Lake Windermere. You may like to spend the afternoon kicking back with a hot drink taking in the fabulous views, and perhaps having another refreshing swim.Walking Distance: 8km + side trips | Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips

Trek to Pelion Plains

Today is a wild day of moorlands and mountain views. Your morning takes you across Pine Forest Moor offering spectacular views across the Forth River Valley to the heights of Mount Oakleigh and to today’s destination, Pelion Plains, at its base. Descend around Mount Pelion West to a popular lunch spot at Frog Flats. Your afternoon takes you up onto Pelion Plains with marvellous views of fluted Mount Oakleigh and some of the biggest wombats our guides have seen in the park!Walking Distance: Up to 17km | Walking Time: 7 Hours

Trek to Mount Ossa and Kia Ora Hut

From camp you continue walking south through Myrtle forest, past tufted Pandani trees, then up to the saddle (1113m) between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa. This is the perfect place for a well deserved rest. In fine weather climbing Mount Ossa – Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617m – is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Overland Track. With magnificent views in all directions you continue south into Pinestone Valley to Kia Ora Hut, overlooking the grand spires of Cathedral Mountain. Walking Distance: 9km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Trek to Bert Nichols hut

Today you walk through towering rainforests of Leatherwood and Sassafrass trees, heading towards three of Tasmania’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. You can choose to visit any or all of these three waterfalls. There is Dalton Falls and Fergusson Falls, named after a former ranger at Lake St Clair. The third of these enchanting falls is the spectacular Hartnett Falls, named after Paddy Hartnett, an eccentric Irish bushman who was rarely seen without his bowler hat. After the falls, you walk up through Du Cane Gap then descend to the Bert Nichols Hut. Walking Distance: 10km + side trips | Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips

Trek to Lake St. Clair. Ferry transfer to visitors centre, return to Launceston

Today you pack your backpack for the final day on the track, which takes you through mixed eucalyptus and stands of temperate rainforest to the shore of Lake St Clair, the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere. As you near Lake St Clair you can gaze up to the peaks of Mt Ida and majestic Mount Olympus. You enjoy a 30 minute ferry trip across the lake, providing spectacular views back upon the mountains you have walked past, and a wonderful conclusion to your Overland Track trek.At the visitor centre you will be met by your Tasmanian Expeditions transfer bus and driver. Congratulations on completing your self-guided Overland adventure! We will drive across the scenic Central Plateau and drop you at your Launceston accommodation at approximately 5pm. Walking Distance: 9km | Walking Time: 3 hours