The Overland Track travels a distance of 65 kilometres through the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. While easier access, improved track conditions and modern outdoor equipment have all made the trip far easier than it has been, the walk still demands a fair degree of preparation and physical fitness, and will take around five nights and six days.
Bookings are required for each walking season (1 November to 30 April).
During the booking period walkers will be required to walk the track from North to South (Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair), and pay the Overland Track Fee.
Bookings open July each year for the coming season.
Please view our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information about the Overland Track bushwalk and the Booking System.
When to walk
The months of December-April have long daylight hours and warmer average temperatures. These months are recommended for walkers inexperienced in Tasmanian conditions. However, walkers are warned that rapidly changing weather conditions can occur at any time of the year. These can include howling winds, sleet, snow, relentless rain and blazing sun. All of these varied conditions can be experienced within a single day. Temperature and rainfall charts are available online.
Weather forecasts can be obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Bookings are required for each walking season (1 November to 30 April). During the booking period walkers will be required to walk the track from North to South (Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair), and pay the Overland Track Fee. If your departure date is outside the booking period, this won’t apply to you.
What to Bring
Tents
It is essential that a tent be carried. Having a tent gives you complete independence and the flexibility to stop and camp when it is unwise to proceed, due to poor weather conditions, injury or fatigue.
Fuel Stoves
The Cradle Mt-Lake St Clair National Park is a Fuel Stove Only Area and campfires are not permitted. Many parts of this park have already been burnt and it is important to prevent further fires from occurring. You will need to carry a fuel stove for cooking (the heaters in the huts are not suitable for cooking).
Please be aware that on the Bass Strait Ferry (Spirit of Tasmania) and on airlines you cannot bring flammable items such as fuel-stove fuel or spare petrol. Fuel stoves and fuel bottles must be empty, cleaned and aired for 6 hours prior to any flights - check with your airline for specific instructions.
Please check your fuel stove before starting the walk to ensure that you have all the neccessary components and that it operates correctly.
See our advice on fuel stoves for more details.
Maps
The Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair Map and Notes 1: 100 000 Tasmap is invaluable. See our page on maps for the Overland.
What other gear should we carry?
Even in mid summer conditions along the Overland Track can become very cold, wet and windy, leaving unprepared walkers at risk of hypothermia. It is essential that all walkers have adequate clothing and gear to cope with such circumstances.
It's essential to have a waterproof raincoat, warm sleeping bag, sleeping mat, sufficient food, thermal top & leggings, a fleecy or woollen jumper, warm hat, map, water bottle, plastic bag for pack waterproofing, and worn-in boots.
Conversely, walkers can encounter clear, hot sunny days where the UV radiation of the sun may cause sunburn. Carrying a broad-brimmed sunhat and suncream is recommended.
We also ask that you please carry a trowel, for digging a toilet hole for faecal waste if caught out between toilets. The huts' toilets are about 4-6 hours walk apart and you must bury your waste and toilet paper if you do not use a toilet.
Please read the Essential Bushwalking Guide & Trip Planner. A full gear check list can be found on our website.
If you book on at short notice (i.e. less than 2 weeks before departure) you will find you have a limited choice of departure dates, especially from December – February when many people have holidays. During April, many walkers come specifically to see the changing colours of the deciduous beech.
Maps and Information Packs
The Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair Map and Notes (1: 100 000 Tasmap) is an essential item for your walk.
Daywalk maps are also available for Cradle and Lake St Clair. You may order these and/or the Overland Track map from the Cradle Mountain Visitors Centre, paying by credit card. Phone (03) 6492 1110 or email cradle@parks.tas.gov.au
You may also buy the maps in- person on arrival at the Visitors Centre. Retail costs are about $10.00 for the Overland Track Map, $12.00 for the Notebook and $5.00 for the daywalk map.
Information Packs
When booking your walk you may order the Map online, as part of the Information Pack. Also included in the Information Pack is The Overland Track:one walk, many journeys (a natural and cultural heritage guide to the Track), The Overland Track, by John and Monica Chapman, and other helpful documents suggesting what to carry, safety, accommodation at both ends of the track, etc.
The cost of the Information Pack is $48.50 if mailed within Australia, or $56.50 if mailed overseas. The Info Pack is mailed to the address provided by the Contact Person, the first party member. Allow 2 weeks for postage.
The following series of online maps offer a guide to each days walking. They are not to be used as a substitute to carrying a proper map:
- Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley
- Waterfall Valley to Windermere
- Windermere to Pelion
- Pelion to Kiaora
- Kiaora to Bert Nichols
- Bert Nichols to Narcissus
The vertical profile below provides an indication of the altitudinal gradient across the length of the Overland Track:
Spatial datasets
The following files are available for download for use within Ozi, a GPS and/or Google Earth. To download data to a GPS you need OziExplorer on your computer with the associated GPS cables or another software program that can read Ozi files.
Further reading and safety information
Tasmania's Essential Bushwalking Guide and Trip Planner
Tasmania's Essential Bushwalking Guide and Trip Planner is a free trip planning guide available from Parks and Wildlife Service centres. It includes checklists of equipment that should be worn or carried by all groups walking in the Tasmanian wilderness. It is also available online.
The Overland Track: One Walk, Many Journeys
The Overland Track: One Walk, Many Journeys is a popular 80 page, pocket-sized booklet. It contains notes on the ecology and history of the area, helpful snippets of information for walkers and illustrations of flora and fauna likely to be seen along the track. It is included in the above Information Pack, or can be ordered online separately.
Natural Wonders of Tasmania's World Heritage Area
Small enough to fit into your map case, this is a summary of scientific studies conducted in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. These publications are available from outdoor shops and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service. Copies can be ordered online from our General Publications page.
Buses and Access
During the peak walking season (1 November - 30 April), the Overland Track is walked from north to south, starting at Cradle Mountain and finishing at Lake St Clair. Outside the peak walking period, the track can be walked in either direction.
By Bus
Bus transport to both centres is available all year round from Hobart, Launceston or Devonport, with more frequent services in the December-April time period.
Contact Tassie Link (03) 6271 7333 or 1300 30 0520. Their web site is at www.tassielink.com.au. TassieLink offers a service from Lake St Clair to Cradle Mountain (via Hobart and overnight at Devonport or Launceston) during the peak season). Bookings are essential on all services and private charters can be arranged.
Contact McDermott Coaches sales@mcdermotts.com.au phone 03 6394 3535. McDermotts Coaches offers a Launceston - Cradle service on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing at 8.15am from City Hotels, all year round (except Christmas Day and Good Friday). They also offer a private charter service from Lake St Clair to Cradle Valley.
Some private operators provide a day service with no overnight stops from Lake St Clair back to Cradle Mt. Walkers should contact the private bus/charter companies (see below) for further information.
Check with the operators listed below for scheduled bus services and charter arrangements.
By Car
Private cars can be parked at both Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair. Unless you have arranged for a car shuffle, you will need to use public transport. Many walkers find it most convenient to leave their car at Lake St Clair and catch a bus to Cradle. See above for details.
Cradle Shuttle
A shuttle bus operates from the Transit Terminal outside the National Park. It can pickup and drop off from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, Snake Hill, Ronny Creek and Dove Lake. From mid September to mid May the shuttle service operates every 20 minutes, seven days a week.
See our
Cradle Mountain Access pages for further details and a timetable.
Lake St Clair Ferry
A ferry service operates from Narcissus Bay to Cynthia Bay along Lake St Clair. After six days of walking many people choose the ferry as an enjoyable way to finish their journey. Booking are essential. Ring (03) 6289 1137 for more details. A radio, located in Narcissus Hut, is connected to the operator to enable ferry bookings.
Accommodation
Cradle Mountain
Cabin accommodation is available at Waldheim inside the national park. These rustic bush huts are very popular and advance bookings are advised. Bookings can be made at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre (03) 6492 1110.
The Cradle Mountain Campground is located two kilometres outside the park boundary. This site is operated by a private leaseholder and camping, bunkhouse and cabin accommodation are available. Phone (03) 6492 1395.
Due to the delicate nature of the environment and the large number of visitors to Cradle Mountain, camping is not permitted inside the day visitor area. Walkers cannot camp until they reach either Waterfall Valley Hut or the Scott-Kilvert Hut.
Hotel and additional cabin accommodation are also available outside the national park boundary. See www.discovertasmania.com.au for further details.
Lake St Clair
Cabin, backpacker, powered site and camping accommodation with shower and toilet facilities are operated by a private leaseholder. For bookings and enquiries contact Lakeside St Clair (03) 6289 1137.
Hotel, backpacker and cabin accommodation is also available at Derwent Bridge at the entrance to the national park. See www.discovertasmania.com.au for further details.
At Lake St Clair there is a free bushwalkers campsite (with no road access) on the lakeshore at Fergies Paddock, 15 minutes walk from the Cynthia Bay facilities. The campsite is still within the Fuel Stove Only Area and has a single pit toilet.
Guided Tours
Several companies offer guided tours on the Overland Track and in the national park.
Licensed tour operators play a key role in promoting access to Tasmania's parks and reserves.
All licensed operators are committed to the minimal impact bushwalking code, and their guides offer insight into the unique values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. They promote the values of the Overland Track, and appropriate use of this amazing place.
Licensed companies for the Overland Track include:
Cradle Mountain Huts
Cradle Mountain Huts is a six day/ five night guided walk along the Overland Track in the Tasmanian World Heritage Area of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. We offer private huts with hot showers, twin share bedrooms and delicious meals prepared by experienced guides. All guests need to carry are their clothing and personal items. A maximum of 10 guests and 2 experienced Guides depart daily from Launceston between November and May.
Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences
Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences offer a choice of practical solutions to make your bushwalk smoother: transport from Hobart to all National Parks; a range of comfortable accommodation pre- and post-tour; quality equipment for hire; and gourmet food for the track. Pick the service you require or take a fully guided tour that includes all these features. It's up to you!
Tasmanian Expeditions
Tasmanian Expeditions allow 8 days to walk the Overland Track so as to best appreciate highlights and side trips along the way. Passing lakes, waterfalls and mountains such as Barn Bluff, Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh and the Geryons we savour this wild remote area in the company of our small independent group. Our experienced guides will cook delicious meals and will help to bring the track alive for you with their local knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tasmanian wilderness. This is a fully inclusive trip with all the necessary gear provided at no extra charge. We depart from Launceston every Saturday with additional departure dates over the Christmas and New Year period.
Wilderness Expeditions
Wilderness Expeditions provide specialist guiding services for Tasmania's Overland Track. With a scheduled walking/ snowshoeing program all through the winter months, we are also proud to be the first to offer tours 'year round'.
Our (six or seven day) Overland treks are fully catered and provisioned. With a great team of professional guides and without the burden of heavy packs, we offer the support for you to have a safe and truly memorable experience. Great food, modern equipment, good company and fun!
Craclair Tours
At Craclair Tours we pride ourselves on our high standards of service. With a high guide to guest ratio we help you enjoy this world class trek by providing full service, lightweight, camping trips along the Overland Track. Our guides carry all of the necessary camping gear on our 7 day or 10 day tours. Special emphasis is placed on flexibility, support, interpretation and encouragement of special interest pursuits. We also specialise in private itineraries for families, school groups and special interest groups.
Tarkine Trails
Tarkine Trails offers remarkable eight day guided walks along the stunning Overland Track, allowing for a full experience of the Overland Track’s hidden secrets including stunning mountain peaks, ancient alpine forests, hidden waterfalls, and alpine tarns. Included in the tour is an overnight stay in the spectacular Pine Valley and options of day walks to the Acopolis and/or the Labyrinth. Our highly professional guides are expert hosts and will lead you on a memorable journey of discovery and inspiration. We take pride in offering the highest quality organic meals showcasing a variety of Tasmanian produce including salmon, wine and cheeses. Tarkine Trails is committed to ensuring the preservation of Tasmania’s amazing wild places.
Further Information
Contact www.discovertasmania.com for details on other operators who are also licensed to operate on the Overland Track.