Overland Track

A 65 km, typically six-day route through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, Australia; most walkers travel north to south from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair.

Time to Hike: Six days is the standard itinerary for the full 65 kilometre track, with daily stages of 8 to 16 kilometres. Walkers often allow an extra day or two for bad weather and side trips.

Best Time to Go: The official walking season is generally in the warmer months - typically October to May - when bookings are required and facilities are open. Summer is busiest; shoulder seasons are quieter but cooler.

Getting there: Fly into Launceston or Hobart then take a shuttle or hire car to the park; the usual northern trailhead is at Cradle Mountain and the southern exit is at the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre. Most parties walk north to south.

Costs: A Parks and Wildlife booking and fee apply during the official season, and there are modest fees for huts or designated campsites. Budget for travel to Tasmania, transfers, food and basic park fees - allow extra for guided services or commercial transfers.

Difficulty: Mostly well-formed track with boardwalks, rocky and steep sections, exposed alpine plateaux and some boggy ground; daily climbs can be strenuous. Weather changes fast - hypothermia risk and slippery sections are the main hazards.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park contains the Overland Track, which threads through button-grass moorlands, high alpine plains, cool temperate rainforest and glacial lakes. The scenery shifts from craggy peaks around Cradle Mountain to the deep waters of Lake St Clair, offering wide vistas, close-up mountain faces and quiet river valleys.

The route is notable for its concentration of varied Tasmanian landscapes in a compact distance and for reliable infrastructure - marked trail, boardwalks and designated campsites and huts. Highlights include panoramic lookouts, reflective lakesides and long stretches across open high country where weather and light change rapidly.

• Stage 1: Cradle Mountain to Waterfall Valley (about 10-11 km) - Boardwalks and rocky alpine track from the Ronny Creek trailhead, with an optional climb to Marions Lookout for wide views.
• Stage 2: Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere (about 15-17 km) - Rolling moorland and button grass plains with several creek crossings; good side trip weather window to Barn Bluff.
• Stage 3: Lake Windermere to Pelion Plains (about 9-10 km) - Easier walking through forest into the open flats of Pelion Plains, with the massive dolerite walls of Mount Oakleigh nearby.
• Stage 4: Pelion Plains to Kia Ora (about 9-10 km) - Forest track and gentle climbs with time for waterfalls and side walks around Kia Ora Hut, including D’Alton Falls and Hartnett Falls.
• Stage 5: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge (about 14-15 km) - A longer day through rainforest and across exposed sections; many walkers add the out-and-back to Mount Ossa if the forecast is stable.
• Stage 6: Windy Ridge to Lake St Clair (about 16-18 km) - Descend through forest to the lake shore and finish at Cynthia Bay; in good weather, a short detour to Echo Point is worthwhile.

The walkable season is typically October to May when the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service runs its booking system and track facilities are staffed. During this period you must book and pay the park fee in advance if walking the classic route.

Expect highly variable conditions - warm sunny days can turn to cold rain or snow, especially on the high plateau. Book huts or campsites in peak months, carry full waterproofs and warm layers, and be prepared for boggy ground and strong winds.

The nearest major airports are Launceston and Hobart; Launceston is the shorter drive to the northern start at Cradle Mountain. Regular shuttle operators and park transfer services run from both cities and from nearby towns to the trailheads, and many walkers pre-book a one-way transfer so they can finish at Lake St Clair.

Most walkers start at the northern end near Cradle Mountain and walk south to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, though walking in either direction is possible; plan transport in advance as public options are limited.

To walk the Overland Track you need to organise park access and, in the main walking season, a specific Overland Track permit with a set start date. Numbers are capped, so booking ahead is important if you are travelling in peak months.

You will also need a valid Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service parks pass for Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Carry proof of your permit and pass, and follow the track registration and briefing instructions provided with your booking.

Most walkers stay in the free public huts inside Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park - typically Waterfall Valley Hut, Windermere Hut, Pelion Hut, Kia Ora Hut and Bert Nichols Hut. These are shared spaces with basic facilities, and you should carry a tent even if you plan to sleep in huts, as bunks can fill and conditions can change.

Designated camp platforms are provided at the main overnight areas, and camping is generally expected to stay within those sites to protect fragile terrain. If you want a higher-comfort option, the private Cradle Mountain Huts Walk uses its own lodges and logistics and is booked as a package rather than using the public huts.