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This adventure takes place on palawa and pakana Country. We acknowledge their enduring connection with this Country, as they are the traditional custodians of this land, and we journey in respect of their Country.
The Overland Track holds legendary status as the finest alpine walk in Australia.
Walking from north to south, the Overland Track covers the highest area of Tasmania, from the base of wulinantikala/Cradle Mountain to the rainforest-clad shores of the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere, liyawulina/Lake St Clair. The World Heritage listed landscape is truly breathtaking and will leave you enchanted, inspired and feeling completely connected.
With each day and every step, the scenery on the trail varies dramatically taking you through ancient Myrtle forest, glaciated dolerite landscapes, past plateaus covered in sparkling tarns and lakes and to Tasmania’s highest peak Mt Ossa. You will have up close encounters with the unique and endemic animals that call the Overland Track area home.
The Overland Track trek is suitable for first time bushwalkers who are able to trek with a fully loaded pack. If you don’t have a backpack don’t worry, our trip includes the use of a trek pack that supplies essential equipment suited for the conditions. We’ll keep you well fed along the trail thanks to the inclusion of food drops, which will also help keep your pack as light as possible.
Then there’s your Overland Track guides – the best in the business. Your professional guides will ensure your adventure is immensely memorable and enjoyable, providing support and care, creating delicious meals, and bringing the track to life with their local knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tasmanian wilderness.
7kg of CO2-e PP per day
(37kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
Day 1
Launceston to Cradle Mountain: Waldheim to Waterfall Valley (10.7km / 6.6mi)
We collect you in Launceston early — 6:45am from the Grand Chancellor, 7:00am from the Penny Royal. and drive two and a half hours to Waldheim, "forest home", where the Overland Track begins. The morning climbs past lakes and tarns to the Cradle Plateau, opening onto Dove Lake and range after range of mountains beyond it. Cradle Mountain stays in view for hours as you cross the plateau. You drop into Waterfall Valley for the first night on the track. Walking Distance: 10.7km | Walking Time: 6 hours. **You need to arrive in Launceston the day before to attend the compulsory 2:00pm pre-trip briefing, where your gear is issued and packed.**
Meals: L,D
Day 2
Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere (7.8km / 4.8mi plus side trips)
The shortest walking day on the track, and deliberately so. The route runs south across rolling buttongrass plains with time to spare. The side trip to Lake Will is the reason for the easy day: a sandy-shored lake named after a coal prospector who worked here in the 1800s, and a good place for lunch and a swim. Back at camp there is a hot drink, the view, and the option of another swim if you have the nerve. Walking Distance: 7.8km + side trips | Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Lake Windermere to Pelion Plains (16.8km / 10.4mi)
The longest day on the track, across moorland and under mountains. You cross Pine Forest Moor with the Forth River Valley falling away below and Mount Oakleigh rising ahead, the day's destination sits at its base. The trail descends around Mount Pelion West to Frog Flats, the lowest point of the whole Overland Track and the usual lunch stop, then climbs through tall wet forest onto the open expanse of Pelion Plains. A short side trip to Old Pelion Hut is worth taking for the park's history. Walking Distance: 16.8km | Walking Time: 7 hours
Day 4
Pelion Plains to Kia Ora (8.6km / 5.3 mi plus side trips)
This is Mount Ossa day. You walk south through myrtle forest and tufted pandani to Pelion Gap, the saddle at 1,113 m / 3,652 ft between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa, a natural place to drop packs and rest. In fine weather the climb to Mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak at 1,617 m / 5,305 ft, is the highlight of the entire track. Your guides make the call on the day based on conditions. From the gap the trail continues south into Pinestone Valley to a creek-side campsite beneath the spires of Cathedral Mountain. Walking Distance: 8.6km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips
Day 5
Kia Ora to Bert Nichols (9.6km / 6.0mi plus side trips)
A day of waterfalls, walked through towering leatherwood and sassafras rainforest. Three of Tasmania's largest falls sit within a few hours of each other: Fergusson Falls, named after a former Lake St Clair ranger; Dalton Falls; and Hartnett Falls, named for Paddy Hartnett, an eccentric Irish bushman rarely seen without his bowler hat. From the falls the trail climbs through Du Cane Gap before descending to the campsite at Bert Nichols. Walking Distance: 9.6km + side trips | Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips
Day 6
Bert Nichols to Lake St Clair (9km / 5.6mi), return to Launceston
The final walking day runs through mixed eucalypt and pockets of temperate rainforest to the shore of Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest natural lake. Mount Ida and Mount Olympus rise as you approach the water. A 30-minute ferry crosses the lake, looking back at the mountains you have spent six days walking through - a better finish than a road. After time at the visitor centre and a celebratory lunch, the bus returns across the Central Plateau, reaching Launceston about 5pm (we could be late, so please do not plan a flight to depart tonight). Drop-offs are at the Grand Chancellor and the Penny Royal. Walking Distance: 9km | Walking Time: 4 hours
Meals: B,L
What's included
What's not included
There is no other shelter and no seating. Evenings are spent on the platform or in the tent depending on the weather, which is what wilderness camping on this track actually is. Tents, sleeping bag, inner sheet and inflatable mat are all provided in the trek pack, and accommodation is twin share.
Every night on the Overland Track is spent camping at designated commercial campsites along the trail. These are separate from the public campsites, so our groups are never competing for space with independent walkers arriving at the end of a long day.
Tents are pitched on timber platforms rather than on the ground — drier for you, and the reason the vegetation underneath survives thousands of walkers a season. Each campsite has a rainwater tank and composting toilets nearby, plus a basic kitchen preparation area where your guides cook.
Away from the boardwalk, much of the Overland Track is natural forest floor, and that means tree roots. Long sections through myrtle and rainforest cross exposed roots polished smooth by boot traffic, and they become slippery whenever it is wet, which on this track is often.
Roots are hardest work on the climbs and descents, where you step up and down onto them rather than along them. This is where most turned ankles happen.
Two pieces of gear make the difference here. High-cut boots, for ankle support on uneven ground, and walking poles — strongly recommended rather than optional on this trek, because they give you two more points of contact exactly where the footing is least predictable.
Much of the Overland Track is boardwalked, and the boardwalk is there to protect what lies beneath it: alpine vegetation and buttongrass moorland that erodes badly once it is walked on. It does not run the whole way.
Boardwalk is most frequent and best maintained at the northern end near Cradle Mountain, and becomes less common the further south you walk. Some stretches are the original boardwalk, laid without the wire mesh that gives grip on newer sections. These are genuinely slippery when wet, and on this track it rains often. Width varies along the route.
Walking poles are recommended, and boots with good tread and ankle support matter more here than on most Australian walks.
The Overland Track is a full-pack trek of six to seven hours a day on the longest days, carrying 15 to 17 kg / 33 to 37 lb. The terrain is rugged and remote, and it changes constantly — boardwalk, timber steps, rock, exposed tree roots, and mud that can be shin-deep after rain, with sections that are long, rough and steep. There is no road access along the track, so once you set out each morning you finish the day on foot. None of that makes this a technical walk; it makes it a sustained one, and it should not be underestimated. You will need a good level of fitness, good health, and ideally some experience of carrying a loaded pack rather than just of walking. To prepare, start around three months out: an hour of strenuous exercise three to four times a week - cycling, running or fast walking - plus a bushwalk most weekends carrying a full pack at trek weight, building up to 15 to 17 kg / 33 to 37 lb rather than starting there. Choose hills, and rough tracks over smooth ones; descending under load is what catches most people out, and it is the one thing you cannot fake on the day. The best preparation of all is a multi-day bushwalk with a full pack. Please note that in adverse weather, or on departures outside daylight saving time, this trek may be graded Moderate to Challenging rather than Moderate — shorter days leave less margin if the group is slowed, and shoulder-season conditions are less forgiving.
Per Person, Twin Share
Yes, if you are currently reasonably fit and you train for it. This trek is specifically built for first-time multi-day walkers. The food drop on day three keeps pack weights down and means fresh food every night, and the trek pack supplies the expensive gear most first-timers do not own. What you must do is train carrying a loaded pack, not just walk.
You’d be surprised how much food you’ll eat after a day’s trekking along the Overland Track. Our guides are experienced when it comes to preparing meals along the Overland Track. Thanks to a food drop on day 3, we are able to have fresh produce every night along the trail. Lunches usually consist of vegetable wraps with hams, chicken or salami, while evening meals can vary from curries, stroganoff and pastas. Desserts include improvised apple pie, and even a chocolate mousse if you’re lucky. Start your day with a hearty porridge or muesli, with snacks throughout the day including fruit and nuts, muesli bars and some fruit.
As this is a full pack adventure, each trekker is required to carry a portion of the group’s food, whether it be a couple of cucumbers, lettuce heads or a bag of pasta. All types of dietary requirements are catered for (provided we are advised in advance), including vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free, nut free etc.
The groups walk each day, regardless of the weather. Tasmania’s weather changes fast and rain, wind and even snow are possible in any month, so the trek is planned around walking in whatever arrives rather than waiting it out. Your guides adjust the day, and side trips are the first thing dropped when conditions close in. As the old saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! It is crucial to pack the right gear for any potential weather.
Our Trek Pack includes essential equipment, rated for the alpine conditions, which will save you a lot of money if you do not have suitable equipment. You can also hire rain jackets, rain overpants and other gear locally. Once you have booked we will provide you with details of our preferred gear hire providers. Hired gear can be collected at your pre-tour briefing.
We highly recommend that you have high cut hiking boots for this trail. There are lots of slippery tree roots in the rainforest areas, so ankle support will be beneficial. Also, you may encounter mud along the way, so if they are waterproof, you will hopefully have nice dry feet at the end of the day.
The terrain is rugged and remote. Tracks may be rough and steep in sections. Over the trip you will walk along boardwalks, up and down steps, through overgrown forests, through muddy sections and if you choose some of the side trips you will scramble over rocks.
The Overland Track has several well-known side trips off the main route, including Mount Ossa. Which ones your group takes depends on the weather, the daylight and how everyone is travelling - your guides decide on the day rather than committing in advance, which is the safest way to run a trip in Tasmania's alpine region. There are also shorter side trips, including a visit to Lake Will and to several waterfalls.
The trip runs between October and April when we have the best chance for warmer temperatures, but you are likely to experience all sorts of weather while in Tasmania. Tasmania is known for it's rapidly changing weather. You will need to be prepared to walk in all weather conditions as winds, steady rain, and even snow in elevated areas, can occur at any time of year.
In Spring (October and November) you will enjoy fewer crowds and the wildflowers are in bloom. Spring marks the return of longer, warmer days while still being cool at night.
In Summer (December to February) you can experience ideal weather conditions. This is the most popular time to walk in Tasmania so you may encounter more people on the trail.
In Autumn you can experience calm, sunny days, and cool crisp nights. You can also witness some of the leaves and trees begin to change colours.
A limited number of walkers can start the track each day in the walking season. We hold permits for our departures, so booking with us secures your place on the track as well as your trip. Our groups are limited to 10 clients so we recommend booking early so you don't miss out on your preferred travel date.
You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. You will be carrying a full pack of around 15-17kg and should be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. The terrain is rugged and remote. This trek should not be underestimated as it can be tough and challenging.
Hiking poles are considered essential and they will assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability in mud or slippery tree roots. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them before you head out on the hike.
As the Overland Track is renowned as being a true wilderness walk, you cannot expect phone reception while on the trail. For trekkers who summit Mount Ossa there is sometimes sporadic phone reception. However, this cannot be relied upon. Our guides carry emergency satellite phones which allow them to communicate with our base in Launceston if any emergencies arise. Rest assured you are not completely alone in the wilderness.
Unfortunately there are no charging facilities at any of the huts along the Overland Track. We recommend bringing extra batteries or solar chargers for your phones. To conserve battery power on your mobile devices, turn your phones into flight mode.
This trek commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing at 2pm on the day before departure. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing and that you bring along all of the gear/clothing required for your expedition with you.
We suggest asking your pre/post tour accommodation about car parking or there are secure carparks in Launceston where you can pre-book a spot.
Yes! You will be provided with all of your gear for the trek at the briefing and pack your backpack and leave it with the guides for Day 1 of the trip.
You can either leave your excess luggage at the hotel that you stay at the night prior to the trip beginning, or alternatively, we can store it for you at our office in Launceston.
You will be returned to your accommodation at approximately 5pm on the final day of the trek. In case we are late, we do not advise to book flights to return home this evening.
The day pack that we recommend for the Overland Track should be a small compressible day pack that folds down to as small as your hand if not smaller. This is only to be used when you do side trips, as you will leave your 70-90L backpack at the trail head and return to it after the side trip. It is not mandatory that you have the day pack, but we find that it is convenient to have one. An example of what we suggest for a daypack is the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack
Unfortunately there are no shower facilities on the camping expeditions along the Overland Track. For those who are concerned about washing, the closest you’ll come to a bath are the alpine lakes that are accessible each day, where you can have a quick refreshing dip. However, for a real cleanse we recommend you bring baby wipes (remember to take them out with you as well!).
Tasmania prides itself on clean pure water and most of the water along the track is safe to drink without purifying. Fresh rainwater tanks supplied by Parks and Wildlife can be found at each of the campsites, and you can also fill up your water bottle at many of the springs along the way. Water purification tablets are not required but you can bring them if you prefer.
It’s not uncommon to encounter leeches on the Overland Track, particularly in areas with a lot of leaf foliage and tree coverage. Leeches tend to breed in warm moist areas, so can be spotted during the summer months in marshy areas. Leech bites do not hurt, however if they bother you, we suggest bringing a salt solution to remove them from your skin if you come into contact with them.
Mount Ossa is Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617 m / 5305 ft, and the summit is included as a side trip on our itinerary, weather permitting and depending on group fitness. It is a genuine climb rather than a stroll, and your guides make the call on the day based on conditions and how the group is travelling.
You will camp each night of the trip in twin share tents at Waterfall Valley, Lake Windermere, Pelion Plains, Kia Ora and Bert Nichols. These are the established campsites along the track, each with a Parks rainwater tank and toilet facilities. Tents, sleeping bag, inner sheet and inflatable mat are all part of the trek pack we provide.
The Overland Track crosses the Country of the Big River and North nations, in lutruwita / Tasmania. Tasmanian Aboriginal people have cared for these lands, waters and culture for more than 60,000 years, and that custodianship continues today. We acknowledge them as the traditional owners of this Country and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.
They are the palawa kani names for Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. We use them alongside the English names throughout this trip because these places carried names long before the track did. Like all palawa kani words they are written in lower case.
The Overland Track runs 65km / 40 mi through the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, walked north to south from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Our guided trek covers the full length over six days of walking, with the Lake St Clair ferry crossing included at the southern end.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.
Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.
Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
6Days
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