6 Days
12 Peoples
Moderate
Tasmania’s Overland Track is famous the world over and this signature trip is the way to experience it in classic style. Across six days, our most popular Overland experience completes the full journey from World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair.
The fully guided walk begins at Waldheim in Cradle Valley and journeys some 65km to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural lake. This trip does not include multiple side trips, but there is the opportunity on Day 4 to club to the summit of Mount Ossa.
Autumn puts on an incredible show on the Overland! The contrast in colours during the turning of the deciduous beech, Nothofagus gunnii, is set against a backdrop of dramatic dolerite mountains, and is complemented by the vast collection of ancient Gondwana species.
The cooler temperatures bring with them the possibility of waking up to a dusting of snow. Witnessing the plants and fungi in a wet and cooler environment also means everything looks it’s happiest.
Tasmanian Danah Leary grew up in Tasmania with prehistoric rainforests and majestic dolerite mountains as her home. She drew early inspiration from the fieldwork of her parents. Later, it would be extensive overseas travel that fuelled her passion for places of cultural and natural significance. Danah studied Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania before qualifying as a horticulturalist and completing her studies in conservation. She currently leads her dream life: guiding for the Tasmanian Walking Company on the Overland Track, contract work for North Barker Ecosystem Services, and assisting the start-up of a seed bank in Central Victoria with Cassinia Environmental as a Native Seed Coordinator. From a young age Danah drew botanical art, deriving endless inspiration from the endemic alpine plants, fungi and fish seen along the way. Her passion for botany grew with each trip she guided on The Overland Track. She holds a special interest in alpine flora and the symbiotic relationships that have developed over many years between certain species. She hopes to show how incredibly special and important these species are while adventuring through one of her favourite places in the world.
Day 1
Waldheim to Barn Bluff Hut
Approximate 7-hour walk On the summit of Cradle Mountain in 1910, Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer proclaimed, “This must be a national park for the people for all time.” It’s fitting our journey begins at Waldheim in Cradle Valley, where Weindorfer’s story is told. We set off on the track, venturing through ancient temperate rainforest, passing the dramatic glacially carved Crater Lake. We climb the steepest section of the whole Overland Track today, fuelled by a hearty lunch. Reaching Marion’s Lookout (1250m) takes about an hour, with steps leading through steeper sections. The reward, providing weather conditions allow, is staggering views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Every uphill step is worth it. We continue around the base of Cradle Mountain along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque before dropping into Waterfall Valley. Our private hut awaits, beneath towering Barn Bluff, having completed the steepest part of your journey (excluding side trips). It’s a welcome retreat after several hours of walking over exposed alpine plateau, where some days the wind howls – a reminder of nature’s power.
Day 2
Barn Bluff Hut to Pine Forest Moor Hut
Day 3
Pine Forest Moor Hut to Pelion Hut
Day 4
Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut
Day 5
Kia Ora Hut to Windy Ridge Hut
Day 6
Windy Ridge Hut to Lake St Clair