Hiking the Overland Track

Guidebook to Tasmania's iconic Overland Track. Described over 7 stages, the 80km trail from Cradle Valley to Lake St Clair takes in glacier-carved valleys, vast buttongrass moorlands, mossy rainforests, rugged peaks, thundering waterfalls, alpine meadows and peaceful lakes. Adventurous side trips are also described.

More Images

# # # # # # # #

Overview

This guidebook covers the iconic Overland Track in Tasmania's stunning Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The well-maintained 80km route from Cradle Valley to Lake St Clair is described over seven stages, along with optional sidetrips to the area's many accessible peaks including Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest mountain. The track can be completed in between 5 and 9 days, depending on fitness and whether hikers undertake sidetrips.

Each stage features clear 1:50,000 mapping and profiles alongside detailed route description. The guide also includes essential practical information about booking onto the track and arranging permits, as well as comprehensive notes about the facilities available at each of the Overland huts. The extensive plant and animal section provides photos and descriptions of the eclectic range of wildlife that can be spotted along the track, and many of these fascinating species are found nowhere else on Earth.

The Overland Track crosses Tasmania's spectacular wild landscape, travelling through buttongrass moorland and rainforests, passing tranquil lakes and impressive waterfalls. Although more physically and technically challenging than the main route, the track's sidetrips are well worth the effort in good weather for the panoramic views they offer of the stunning Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
Location
History
Geology
Plants and animals
Planning your trip
When to go
Ways to hike the track
Hiking direction
Doing the hike with kids
Permits
Booking your hike
Signing in
Getting there
Accommodation and facilities at the start of the track
Accommodation and facilities at the end of the track
Accommodation and facilities on the track
Planning day-by-day
Using this guide
What to take
Food and water
Waymarking
Maps
Sidetrips
Health, safety and emergencies
Phones and Wi-Fi
The Overland Track
Stage 1 Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley Huts
Stage 2 Waterfall Valley Huts to Windermere Hut
Stage 3 Windermere Hut to New Pelion Hut
Stage 4 New Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut
Stage 5 Kia Ora Hut to Bert Nichols Hut
Stage 6 Bert Nichols Hut to Narcissus Hut
Stage 7 Narcissus Hut to Cynthia Bay
Plant and animal guide
Plant guide
Animal guide

Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Suggested clothing, gear and food
Appendix C What now? Other hikes in Tasmania

Updates

Subscribe to updates by email
Be notified by email when this book receives an update or correction

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

Reviews

We do not yet have any reviews for this book

If you would like to send us a review then please use our contact form. They will be published here shortly.

Downloads

Sample Route

Trade Information