6-Day Cradle Mountain Overland Track Walking Expedition from Launceston

The Cradle Mountain Overland Track is one of the most popular wilderness hikes in Australia. See the beauty of this remarkable region and experience the pure solitude of this Tasmanian wilderness. Explore lakes, forests, moorlands and mountains on this 70 kilometer hike. The memories of this wilderness experience will last a lifetime!

The Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair is the most popular extended walk in Australia. Walkers from all over the country and internationally, are attracted to this magnificent area to experience the grandeur of its mountain ranges, the beauty of its unique vegetation and the pure solitude of wilderness. This 70 kilometer (44 mile) walk will allow time to visit the summit of some of the highest mountains in the state and possibly Mount Ossa, the highest of all.

Groups are restricted to a maximum of ten people and area escorted by two professional wilderness guides, ensuring a truly memorable wilderness experience.

The Cradle Mountain 6-day hike includes camping, cooking and eating equipment, high quality tents, backpack, sleeping mat, sleeping bag and sleeping sheet, emergency communication equipment, first aid supplies, all meals and transfers, food drops along track to lighten pack weight and National Park fees.

No special skills are necessary to walk the Cradle Mountain Overland Track although a good level of general fitness is required.

Schedule details

Cradle Mountain National Park

Departure Dates:

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Departure Point:

Departure Time:

7am

Return Details:

The expedition concludes at approximately 5:00pm in Launceston on Day 6

Pricing information

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Additional information

Cradle Mountain National Park

Inclusions:

• Experienced guides
• Group camping equipment including tents, sleeping mats, stoves, eating utensils and first aid kit
• 70L Backpack and gaiters
• Overland track permit
• Wet weather Gore-Tex jacket and over pants
• Thermarests and emergency communication
• 5 nights camping
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• Transfers to and from Launceston
• National Park fees
• Australia's Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Exclusions:

• Clothing and equipment, as listed under additional information (some equipment is available for hire at the start of the hike)

Additional Information:

• Confirmation for this tour will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• The maximum group size is 10 passengers on this hike, with 1 guide for every 5 passengers.
• Minimum age is 14 years
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Please advise if you have any medical conditions
• Trip Grading: Moderate Moderate Walking - carrying a backpack 13-15kg (29-33 pounds), on some uphill terrain. Suitable for fit first timers.
• Weather: The above itinerary should be seen as a guide only. The area is subject to bad weather, even at the height of summer and as such, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances may cause the content of the trip to be altered or delayed. Your safety and enjoyment are paramount at all times.
• Trip Prerequisites: The Overland Track itself is not particularly arduous: it crosses relatively open, undulating country while providing access to the harder mountain routes as optional side trips. You cover an average of 12 kilometers (7 miles) per day, over varying terrain, so although no special skills are necessary, a good level of general fitness is required. Two food caches are provided along the track so that at most you will be carrying provisions for only three days. The maximum load you will carry will be approximately 13-15kg. This will of course reduce rapidly as food is consumed.
• Please note: You must be able to carry the backpack on your own as assistance can not be provided.

Itinerary:

The itinerary shown below is flexible enough to allow for extra stopovers in periods of bad weather and so should be considered a guide only. All overnight accommodation is camping, tents will be pitched on timber platforms, with nearby rainwater tanks and composting toilets available.

Day 1: Launceston to Waterfall Valley (L, D) Walking time 5-hours
Travel to Cradle Mountain National Park where you will walk up to the top of the Cradle Plateau for views of Dove Lake below. After lunch and if weather permits, take a side walk to the craggy summit of Cradle Mountain before making your way to Waterfall Valley and the campsite.
Overnight: Waterfall Valley campsite

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere (B, L, D) Walking Time 3-hours
Today, continue south from Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere. A leisurely day that offers time to explore the waterfalls and a side trip past the diggings of Joseph Will, a coal prospector in the 1800's, to Innes Falls. Enjoy a relaxing lunch by the sandy shores and twisted pencil pines of Lake Will. After lunch, hike across the rolling button grass to Lake Windermere and make time for a dip in the lake. Overnight: Lake Windermere Campsite

Day 3: Lake Windermere to Pelion Plains (B, L, D) Walking time 7-hours
A wild day of moorlands and mountain views, make up your day. Starting with Pine Forest Moore, offering panoramic landscape and views east across the Forth River Valley to the heights of Mount Oakleigh and to today’s destination, Pelion Plains. You will descend around the mountain to a popular lunch spot at Frog Flats and in the afternoon travel up to Pelion Plains for marvelous views of fluted Mount Oakleigh and some of the biggest wombats you will ever see!
Overnight: Douglas Creek Campsite

Day 4: Pelion Plains to Kia Ora (B, L, D) Walking time 5-hours
Today start your walk south where the view opens up to revel Cathedral Mountain. To your left, Pelion East comes into view, followed by Mount Ossa on the right. There is time for a rest at the saddle (1113m) between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa (1617m). Mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak is a standout highlight of the Overland Track. With magnificent views in all directions, continue south into beautiful Pinestone Valley.
Overnight: Pinestone Valley Campsite

Day 5: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge (B, L, D) Walking time 4-hours
After breakfast, you will head off for a day surrounded by towering rainforests of Leatherwood and Sassafras trees, as you walk towards three of Tasmania's largest and most spectacular waterfalls. The first visited is Ferguson Falls --named after a former ranger at Lake St. Clair, followed by Dalton Falls, and lastly Hartnett Falls -- named after the eccentric bushman with the bowler hat, Paddy Hartnett.
Overnight: Windy Ridge campsite

Day 6: Windy Ridge to Lake St. Clair and Launceston (B, L) Walking time 3-hours
Today is your final day on the track, which will take you through dry sclerophyll forest toward the shores of Lake St Clair. As you near the lake you can look up to the peaks of the Labyrinth and see the majestic Mount Olympus. Then catch a 30 minute ferry across Lake St Clair, the deepest natural lake in the southern hemisphere. After some time to inspect the visitor centre and indulge in a picnic lunch you will board the bus for your return drive across Tasmania's Central Plateau to Launceston.

• Please Note: The need to bring woolen or equivalent thermal clothing (chlorofibre, polypropylene or fibrepile) rather than cottons (e.g. jeans, wind cheaters) is emphasized because of their ability to better retain warmth, even when damp. Excess luggage can be stored in Launceston.

Clothing

• 2 Woollen /Polarfleece Jumpers. Must be wool or synthetic fiber.
• 2 Long sleeve thermal tops (polypropylene, Wool, Polyester Powerdry, Daymart)
• 1 Long thermal pants (polypropylene, Wool, Polyester powerdry, Daymart)
• 2 T-shirts/Long sleeve shirts
• Warm trousers. Must be wool or synthetic fibre.
• Walking trousers
• Walking shorts
• 3 Pairs Wool or Thermal walking socks
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Sunhat and sunglasses
  
• Balaclava or warm beanie hat
• Underwear
• 1 Pair of knee length gaiters essential for keeping mud from boots and leg protection

Footwear

• Boots must be lace up, ankle high, leather or leather/fabric construction with a sturdy rubber sole. They must be well worn in but not worn out - the Overland Track can be particularly demanding on boots!
• Lightweight sandals, thongs or shoes for around camp

Other Equipment

• Lightweight torch with spare batteries and globe. A head torch is ideal to allow hands free light to eat by!
• A whistle (for use in poor visibility)
• Water bottles or water bladder minimum 1 litre
• 2 heavy weight garbage bags for waterproof storage
• Small pack towel

Personal Toiletries and First Aid

• Personal toiletries (please do not bring soaps or shampoos)
• Insect repellent cream (please do not bring spray repellent)
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Personal First Aid kit. You should have some tape for treating and preventing blisters as well as any personal medication you expect to require. All this should be carried in a waterproof knock proof container.

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Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.