The Overland Track is long enough to become a journey but structured enough that each day has its own character. It begins among the open alpine country of Cradle Mountain, passes Barn Bluff and Lake Windermere, drops through rainforest to Pelion and then crosses the Du Cane country towards Lake St Clair.
The standard track is 65 km from Ronny Creek to Narcissus. Side trips can turn it into a much longer walk, and continuing on foot beside Lake St Clair adds another 17.5 km.
How to get there
The walk starts at Ronny Creek in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. During the booking season, walkers check in at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, complete a briefing, collect their track pass and use the shuttle to reach the start.
The finish is at Narcissus on Lake St Clair. Most walkers either use the privately operated ferry to Cynthia Bay or continue another 17.5 km along the lake. Transport to Cradle Mountain and away from Lake St Clair needs to be organised separately.
What to see and do
Cradle plateau and Barn Bluff
The first day climbs past Crater Lake and Marions Lookout before crossing exposed alpine country towards Waterfall Valley. Barn Bluff becomes the dominant mountain beyond Cradle Mountain and remains visible across the northern part of the route.
The Barn Bluff side trip is 7 km return from the track junction and usually takes three to four hours. It is steep, includes boulder scrambling and should only be attempted in fine weather.
Wombats on the northern end of the track
Wombats are one of the encounters that make the opening days of the Overland Track memorable. Parks Tasmania lists wombats among the wildlife of Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, and walkers often encounter them around the open country near Ronny Creek and the northern plateau.
If a wombat is beside or on the track, stop and let it move on its own terms. Keep a respectful distance, never feed wildlife and do not leave the formed track simply to get closer for a photograph.
Windermere, Pelion and the central mountains
The second day crosses alpine heath and tarns to Lake Windermere. From there the route descends through forest towards Pelion, where the surrounding mountains begin to close around the track.
Pelion Gap is the launch point for Mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak, and Pelion East. Both are optional exposed side trips that depend on weather and available daylight.
The Du Cane country
South of Kia Ora, the track passes historic Du Cane Hut and the side tracks to D'Alton, Fergusson and Hartnett falls before reaching the Du Cane Range and Bert Nichols Hut.
Lake St Clair
The final standard day descends to Narcissus at the head of Lake St Clair. The ferry shortens the finish dramatically, but it needs to be booked before departure and reconfirmed from Narcissus. Walking the lakeside to Cynthia Bay turns the route into a seven-day journey for many walkers.
How much time to allow
Six days is the standard hut-to-hut rhythm from Ronny Creek to Narcissus. Seven or more days makes sense if side trips matter, if you want two nights at one of the major huts, or if you intend to walk the Lake St Clair shore rather than take the ferry.
Do not build every mountain summit into the plan. Barn Bluff, Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa each demand their own weather window and several additional hours.
Practical notes
- During the booking season from 1 October to 31 May, independent walkers must book and travel north to south. Up to 34 independent walkers can depart each day.
- The booking fee includes park entry for the walk and the Cradle Mountain shuttle to the track start, but not transport to or from the national park or the Lake St Clair ferry.
- Huts cannot be booked and are first-come, first-served. Carry a tent even if you intend to sleep in huts.
- Hut tanks provide rainwater, but Parks Tasmania advises boiling or treating it before drinking.
- There are no showers, hot water or cooking equipment in the huts. Carry a fuel stove and full overnight equipment.
- Wombats are a characteristic wildlife encounter around the northern end of the track. Give them space, never feed them and avoid blocking their path.
- Outside the booking season, different pass and direction arrangements apply. Check current PWS information before departure.
A suggested plan
Follow the standard six-day sequence from Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley, Windermere, Pelion, Kia Ora, Bert Nichols and Narcissus. Add Barn Bluff only with enough weather and daylight margin early in the trip, and decide before departure whether the final Lake St Clair leg will be by ferry or on foot.