The Overland Track is a 6 Day, 65 kilometre, moderately difficult hike from Tasmania’s stunning World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain, to the equally picturesque Lake St Clair. If you are thinking of tackling this iconic multi-day hike, guided or self-guided, you will want to read this post first.
We love guided hikes for the very fact that most of the planning is done for you. The Overland Track Pass that is required to walk the track is pre-organised, transport to and from the track is sorted, as well as expert knowledge and assistance at hand if needed. Delicious meals are prepared for you, no need to carry food …. and did I mention there is wine!?
Best Guides for Walking The Overland Track
We have done several multi-day guided hikes, and this was our second hike with The Tasmanian Walking Company. We loved our first experience on The Three Capes Walk with The Tasmanian Walking Company so much, that we didn’t hesitate to book with them again to walk The Overland Track.
Update February 2025:
The Overland Track has been closed to walkers since bushfires fires began on the 5th February, due to dry lightning strikes. With the fires still uncontained and the loss of infrastructure, it is unclear when the Overland Track will be open for walkers again.
Update March 2025:
The Overland Track has re-opened! Yay!! Walkers will just hike a slightly amended itinerary to one outlined below, for the rest of the season.
The Tasmanian Walking Company offer several options for walking The Overland Track. We chose to do their Signature Walk, which is by far their most popular Overland Track option, as it is designed for the active and fit participant, compared to athletic levels of fitness required for their more challenging options. Athletic, I certainly am not!
The Tasmanian Walking company have an office in an old church in Launceston, the Northern Tasmanian city where your Overland Track experience begins. Don’t be confused, however, this office is not where you meet your guides or start your walk. Your actual walk begins just outside Launceston at The Red Feather Inn.
We arrived in Launceston early in the morning and were not due to arrive at The Red Feather Inn until later in the afternoon, so decided to make the best use of our time by storing our luggage at The Tasmanian Walking company office and exploring Launceston a little on foot. Here is a link to my post on Launceston, including accommodation recommendations and my top 5 things to do in and around Launceston.
Best Time of Year to Hike the Overland Track
The summer months of December, January and February are definitely the most popular months to walk the Overland Track. The shoulder months in Spring and Autumn have their advantages as well, but there is a greater chance of walking in snow and extreme weather during those months. Walking The Overland Track in Winter takes a special kind of endurance and experience that not many people have.
Some argue that walking in the shoulder seasons is less crowded, which is definitely true, however with the introduction of The Overland Track Pass, numbers of walkers on the track are limited on any given day, and you can only walk in one direction from North to South, so no awkward passing each other on narrow duckboards! We didn’t feel the track was crowded at all. The only place we had to wait a little was using the chain to scramble up to Marions Lookout on Day 1…. and to be honest, I was glad of a chance to stop a bit and catch my breath!
We chose to do our walk in January….well, we started at the end of December and had New Years Eve on the track. Needless to say, after our first big day walking no-one saw in midnight. Actually, I think we were all in bed by 9pm!
We were blessed with mostly perfect weather, with just a little atmospheric rain on day 2 which I loved! The spring wildflowers were still in bloom, and everyone agreed that it was idyllic walking conditions.
With an average daily temperature of 16 degrees, and predominately clear blue skies, summer on the Overland Track books out early. It is important to note that temperatures in Tasmania in summer can vary significantly, it can soar to 30 degrees or get very cold, especially in the Alpine regions. In fact, it has been known to snow on the track, even in summer! Therefore, you need to be prepared for any climate when you walk, and pack accordingly. Our guide told us the story of 14 people having to take emergency shelter in the ‘bubble’ pictured below for many days, during a snowstorm.
What to Pack for a Guided Hike of the Overland Track
I am so proud of how light I packed for this hike, remembering the mantra ‘ whatever you pack, you carry!’. Having said that, there were a few items I packed that I didn’t need. The Tasmanian Walking company will send you a detailed packing list when you book your hike, but if you are interested in what was essential to have in your pack for a guided hike of the Overland Track in summer, you can read my essential packing list here.
6 Day Overland Track Itinerary
Although you are actually walking on the Overland Track for 6 days, your experience with the Tasmanian Walking Company starts the day before you walk, at The Red Feather Inn. Located in Hadspen, on the outskirts of Launceston, The Red Feather Inn is quaint and quiet, the perfect place to get acquainted with your guides and fellow walkers before you start on the walk.
After check-in, everyone meets in a briefing room where you meet your guides. We were blessed with amazing guides on our hike (more on them later). The guides go through a gear check to ensure you have everything that is required to safely complete the hike. When I say gear check, they actually get eyes on and if you don’t have it, they ensure you get it! They have some gear you can borrow (such as packs and rain jackets) and other gear you can purchase (such as lightweight day packs). Each person is issued with some linen, pack liners and covers, and their Overland Track Pass at this briefing.
This is also the room where you store your luggage while you are walking. Each bag is tagged, ready for you to collect at the end of the walk. After gear check, you have some time to start packing your pack or enjoy a few afternoon beverages with fellow walkers, before meeting in the dining room for dinner and a briefing on what to expect on day 1 of the walk.
Day 1
Early start with breakfast in the dining room at 6am. Quick pack fitting by your guides if needed, then onto the bus by 6.45am. The bus trip to the beginning of the walk, at Waldheim, takes approximately 2 hours with a quick toilet stop in Sheffield on the way.
Day 1 was definitely the most difficult day for me. I struggle with inclines…. especially stairs and you climb to 1250m to Marions Lookout as well as a distance of 15km on day 1. But I did it! The views from the lookout were worth it, simply stunning! We had blue skies as well, so could see Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake clearly.
The days walking doesn’t end there though. Continue hiking around the base of Cradle Mountain, stopping by an alpine stream for lunch and onwards to Waterfall Valley, where your private hut awaits. By this stage my feet were protesting loudly and turning into the ‘driveway’ (the hidden access off the main walking track that leads to the private hut) was most welcome.
We had been walking for 7 hours!
This is where your amazing guides are totally worth the cost. One guide stays at the rear of the pack to ensure everyone completes the days walk safely, while the other runs on ahead (both carrying huge packs) and starts preparing our dinner and breakfast for the next morning. We arrived at the hut to cold drinks and nibbles, while our guide was kneading bread dough for fresh bread in the morning. Dinner on day 1 was tasty, spiced chicken breast and Asian soft noodle salad. During dessert, is when the guides give you the briefing for the next days’ walk.
We popped a bottle of bubbles to celebrate New Years Eve and as mentioned earlier, everyone opted for an early night. I can’t stress enough the importance of wearing sunblock. I can tell you every inch of my body that wasn’t either covered by clothing or by sunblock, because it was sunburnt. The ozone layer in Tassie is thin, especially at altitude. If you don’t wear sunblock you will burn. I neglected the back of my hands and my ears….and as it turns out, the backs of my legs. I had an uncomfortable night’s sleep that night ….. lesson learned.
The Huts
I have included here a brief description of the huts – save for one hut, they all have the same layout.
As you enter the hut, there will be a mud room and a drying room. All boots are stored here, no boots to be worn inside the huts. Downstairs is a large common area with 2 larger bedrooms off either end. Upstairs is another 4 bedrooms, each with 2 beds.
Be aware that even though the bedrooms downstairs are slightly larger, they are next to the bathroom, so you do hear noise from bathroom visitors and the guides getting up early to prepare breakfast. The rooms are not allocated, so first in, best dressed.
Downstairs was a good option for us, because my husband snores…. he reports I snore too…. obviously deflecting! I slept better knowing we weren’t disturbing others’ sleep.
Showers are timed …. so, as we say at school ‘in, out, don’t muck about!’ 😂 The water is nice and hot, and the 4 minutes allocated is more than enough.
Day 2
A later start on day 2 with breakfast at 7.30 and on the track by 9am. The weather thankfully, was cool and rainy. So, all decked out in our wet weather gear, we began approximately 6 hours walking through button grass plains and enchanted rainforest to Pine Forest Moor Hut, a distance of approximately 15 km again, but not as much elevation as the day before.
Some of the group opted to do a little side walk to Lake Will. Myself, and a couple of others, decided to stay with the packs, and experience the warm and cosy comfort of sheltering under a bothy. I think I know who made the better decision!
I loved the experience of walking in varying weather conditions…. after all, can you really say you’ve hiked The Overland Track if you didn’t experience a little rain and mud?? I also had my first stack on Day 2, I fell off the duckboard! Be aware it is quite easy to lose your balance when you are carrying those heavy packs. I think I was just looking up at a bird or something and over I went! Luckily, I just fell into some shrubs and not mud or water, but I did bang my knee on the duckboard and was sporting quite the bruise at the end of the day. War wounds 😂
Day 3
Approximately 5 hours and 13 km walking today, which starts as a gentle descent into the valley floor where we stopped for lunch at a very cool beach. Fossil Beach is scattered with many fossils found in the rocks. Some brave individuals ventured into the water, but I was not one of them.
After lunch begins the ‘gentle’ ascent up to the Pelion Plains and Pelion Hut for the night. I mentioned I struggle with inclines, and they nickname this one ‘heartbreak hill’ for the fact that it never seems to end! It was on this day, as we finally turned into the driveway of our hut, that I was sucking in the oxygen so deeply, I accidently inhaled a moth! I could feel it in the back of my throat….ewwww! Coughing, gagging and chugging down water I eventually reached the hut. Dinner was prepared by another guide that was based at Pelion Hut for the week, a tomato pasta dish with home-made garlic bread and tiramisu for dessert.
Day 4
This was the easiest days walking for me because I chose not to do the optional 5-hour side trip up Mt Ossa. We walked the 9km at a leisurely pace and arrived at the Kia Ora Hut by approximately 2pm. It was nice to have a relaxing afternoon and enjoy the stunning views of Cathedral Mountain from the back deck.
Those that did do the hike up Mt Ossa say it was the highlight of their walk. They were blessed with clear skies and had exceptional 360-degree views for miles. I know my limitations though, and pretty sure the guides heaved a huge sigh of relief when I opted out😁
Day 5
Today was another 15km including a little side hike to a lovely waterfall.
We started by walking to Ducane Hut, where our guides told us the history of the hut and its inhabitants. After a little rest, we set off on a staggered start through some of the oldest forest in the National Park, on a meditation walk. Walking on your own, in silence, to reflect and contemplate was really lovely. In fact, I had quite the epiphany on my walk. If interested, you can read my thoughts in the guest book at the Windy Ridge Hut, where I recorded it on behalf of our whole group, just look for the Mark Knopfler reference.
If you are not planning on doing the Overland Track for some time but still really want to know what my epiphany was about and what the heck it has to do with Mark Knopfler, just subscribe! I will include a link in the welcome newsletter to my quite profound thoughts, if I do say so myself! It just might help you when you’re struggling through the mud on the track, and in life!
There was also a side trip on this walk. I am a sucker for a good waterfall, so made the decision to add in a few extra steps to Hartnett Falls and it did not disappoint. We had lunch here and some very brave souls went swimming under the waterfall…. freezing! Again, I chose to stay warm and dry.
After lunch, the ascent up to Ducane Gap begins. You know how much I love my ascents! I think I may have shed a tear of delight when we finally reached the sign indicting that we had reached the top and would begin the descent down to our final night on the track at the Windy Ridge Hut. Our guide told us to keep an eye out for the hemorrhoid tree, ‘You can’t miss it’ they said. They were right! 😂
Arriving at the Windy Ridge Hut we were greeted with ice cold Du Cane beers! What a treat, and even more special because we had been at the Du Cane Hut that day. Bittersweet night, as it was our last on the walk.
Day 6
The last day…. 10 kms over relatively flat land, but don’t be fooled thinking it’ll be a walk in the park! 😉 It is by far the easiest day of the walk as there is no elevation, but it is still 10kms. My favourite part of todays’ walk was crossing the suspension bridge.
An earlier start, on the track by 8.30 to ensure that everyone is at the ferry by 12.30 (you don’t want to miss the boat as there is only one more at 3pm and in summer it is usually booked out). For our group there was time to eat lunch and go for a celebratory swim (again, not me!) at Narcissus Hut before hopping on the ferry which takes you down Lake St Clair to Lake St Clair Lodge and Visitor Centre.
At the visitor centre, you have a short amount of time to grab a coffee or a souvenir as well as the obligatory photo in front of the Overland Track sign, before boarding the minibus for the 2.5 hour drive back to the Red Feather Inn.
Narcissus Hut to Cynthia Bay – Last Leg of the Overland Track
Although not included in the guided walk, it is possible to walk this last stretch of the Overland Track. We did it as a day trip when we had previously stayed at the Lake St. Clair Lodge. You simply catch the ferry to Narcissus Hut and walk back. You can read more about the last leg of the Overland track, as well as other beautiful places to explore in Tasmania in my post.
Once back at the Inn, you have time to sort out your luggage and catch up on the hundreds of emails and messages you have missed out on all week, as there is no mobile reception on the walk (except up Mt Ossa I am told). We gathered as a group one last time, to reflect on highlights and lowlights, raise a glass and exchange contact details.
Finally, it is back on the minibus to be dropped either at the airport or back at your accommodation in Launceston. For accommodation recommendations in Launceston, click here to read my post.
How Difficult is The Overland Track?
Officially, the Overland Track is rated as Grade 4 and comes with this warning on the Parks & Wildlife website:
‘The Overland Track is a serious undertaking, for well–prepared walkers, with a good level of fitness and who understand the risks of walking in a remote alpine area. The track is not recommended for children under 8 years. Weather can change rapidly and deaths have occurred, even in summer, when people have been caught underprepared in cold, wet and windy weather.’
The Tasmanian Walking company recommend a walker be ‘active and fit‘ to successfully complete the Overland Track. I guess I would rate myself as fairly active, not so sure about the ‘fit‘ requirement though. I turned 56 shortly before we embarked on this walk, and I think I am doing ok for my age with regards to fitness but was definitely one of the slower walkers in the group.
We weren’t the oldest walkers in our group, there was an active couple in their 60’s and they managed the walk wonderfully! There were some walkers in our group dealing with injury that managed to complete the walk, so it really depends on the individual. The key I think is to know your limitations and your abilities and be honest with yourself.
If you are ok walking for extended periods of time, over a variety of surfaces (duckboard, rocks, mud, roots, logs, etc) and are able to do so carrying a 10kg pack, then you should be ok to complete the Overland Track.
A good test would be to do a few big day-walks in your area, wearing your boots, and see how you pull up the next day.
We did a few ‘training’ walks beforehand. A good long day walk is in Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland, my feet were very sore at the end of that day but they felt fine the next day and no blisters! It was a great boost to my confidence heading into the Overland Track. We also did the Grand Cliff Top Walk in the Blue Mountains in one epic day-walk, and I recovered well by the next day. So, if in doubt, do a few training walks equal in hours with a bit of elevation and then assess.
How would I rate the Overland Track?
The Overland Track is the most difficult multi-day walk I have done, so I am pretty proud of myself for having completed it…. and yes, I did buy a t-shirt to broadcast my fantastic achievement to everyone.
We were blessed with perfect weather, so we got to see stunning views and vistas, which added to our positive experience of the walk. What truly made the Overland Track so wonderful for me though, were the people we walked with, importantly, I include our guides in that group.
I loved getting to know the 9 other guests walking in our group, a fun bunch of people I now call friends. Our guides were exceptional. Two young women that are easy-going yet run a tight ship, very knowledgeable and friendly. I was blown away with how they were able to cook delicious meals from scratch, carry very heavy packs, clean the huts and organize everyone at such a young age…. my own kids could learn a lot from them!
The Overland Track is one of Australia’s most iconic hikes and I can see why. I would definitely recommend you do it, sooner rather than later, while your knees can still handle it!
Deb Morrow is a wife and mum of two in her 50’s, who works in education. She has a passion for travel and through sharing her travel experiences, tips and recommendations, wants to encourage other women her age to start making time for themselves, grab their besties, and go see the world!
