This guide to side trips from the Overland Track includes:

• How to prepare for a side trip
• Cradle Mountain
• Barn Bluff
• Lake Will
• Old Pelion Hut
• Mount Oakleigh
• Mount Ossa
• Mount Pelion East
• D’Alton and Fergusson Falls
• Hartnett Falls
• Pine Valley (The Acropolis and the Labyrinth)

FYI: Most walkers won’t be able to complete all of the Overland Track side trips. Have a look at my section-by-section Overland Track overview and suggested Overland Track itineraries to see how much time you can allow for side trips.

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track. It has a great overview of everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.

Preparing for a Side Trip from the Overland Track

It’s you’re taking an Overland Track side trip it’s important to be prepared.

You will not want to take your big heavy pack on the side trips so leave it at the junction. Many of the junctions have wooden platforms to leave your pack on. Be sure to put a rain cover on your pack or tie the zippers shut to protect your pack from marauding currawongs. They have learned to undo zips!

Take a small day pack with some essentials inside on your hike. You should bring food, water, rain gear, warm clothing, a first aid kit, your map and your PLB if you are carrying one. Read my recommendations for day packs, plus other essentials gear in my Overland Track packing list.

Check the weather before you head out on your side trip from the Overland Track. If the weather looks bad, don’t go up a peak. Hikers have slipped and fallen to their deaths on the trail in wet, icy and snowy conditions.

If you can see the top of a peak, climb it! Don’t wait until later in the trip to climb a peak since the weather might be bad then. Adjust your schedule to climb the peak you are near. (Check out my section-by-section Overland Track overview to see which days are best for which side trips)

Cradle Mountain

Distance: 2km return

Elevation Change: 395m ascent

Time: 2-3 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Location: Start at Kitchen Hut, 5.4 km from Ronny Creek

If the weather is nice, you shouldn’t skip climbing Cradle Mountain. It’s a steep scramble up rocks to the summit, but the views are incredible. Cradle Mountain towers over Dove Lake, making it the only high peak in the park that most casual visitors see. At 1545m tall its the 6th tallest mountain in Tasmania. 

The track starts at Kitchen Hut. Just 100m later, turn left on to the Cradle Mountain Face Track. Then in 50m, turn right on to the Cradle Mountain Summit Track.

The beginning of the track is across grassland, but it soon turns to rocky scree with some climbing across boulders. The route is marked with cairns, red paint and posts. At the summit there is a big bronze plaque that points out the surrounding mountains.

Barn Bluff

Distance: 7km return

Elevation Change: 359m ascent

Time: 3-4hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Location: Track starts 9km from Ronny Creek; 1.7km from Waterfall Valley

Barn Bluff is Tasmania’s 4th highest mountain at 1559m. Views of this peak dominate the first few days of the Overland Track. And from some angles, it does look like a barn.

You can summit Barn Bluff en route to Waterfall Valley on your first day on the Overland Track. However, many people choose to summit Cradle Mountain that day, or run into bad weather. In that case, you can also head up Barn Bluff from the Waterfall Valley Hut and campsite. This will add an extra 1.7km each way with 160m of elevation change. 

From the junction with the Overland track, the route to Barn Bluff climbs gradually through buttongrass along the side of Bluff Cirque for the first 2.5km. The final kilometre to the summit is over rough scree with lots of boulders. There are steep scrambling moves. Watch for cairns to ensure you stay on the correct track.

Lake Will

Distance: 3km return

Elevation Change: none

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Track starts 3.8 km from Waterfall Valley

The track to Lake Will is one of the easiest Overland Track side trips. It makes a great lunch stop on the short walk between Waterfall Valley and Windermere. On a warm day you may even want to go for a swim. There are great views of Barn Bluff from the lake.

From the junction follow the narrow duckboard track for 1.5km to the shores of the lake. You’ll pass some pretty ponds around the 1km mark. Once you are at the lake you can stop for lunch at a small sandy bay.

The track continues to the left along the lake shore but it is very brushy. If you want to extend your walk, head to Innes Falls just beyond the lake outlet. This will add another 2km to your trip.

Old Pelion Hut

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Change: 30m descent

Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Track starts 400m from New Pelion Hut and Campground.

Pelion Hut is the oldest of the historic huts in the park, built in 1916. It originally housed copper miners and if you look carefully, you can see evidence of long-ago mining nearby. It’s a historic hut so you are not allowed to sleep in it.

You can take the side trip to Old Pelion Hut on your way past in on the hike from Windermere to New Pelion Hut. Or you can head to New Pelion, have dinner, then make a quick evening trip over. The track is an easy walk on duckboard.

A short path behind the hut leads down to a swimming hole on Douglas Creek.

Mount Oakleigh

Distance: 8km return

Elevation Change: 516m ascent

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: moderate

Location: Track starts at New Pelion Hut and Campground

The dolerite spires of 1386m high Mount Oakleigh dominate the view from the veranda of the New Pelion Hut. If you choose to take a rest day there (or you’re a super-fast hiker), this hike makes a great day trip. From the top you can see most of the Overland Track.

The track starts on the far side of New Pelion Hut. Follow the track along the side of Pelion plains for 500m to a small suspension bridge across Douglas Creek. After the bridge, turn left at the wooden sign post on to the Mount Oakleigh track. The next kilometre across the moorland can be very muddy.

The trails climbs gently through eucalyptus forest until the 2.5km mark when things get steep and the track turns west.  It’s another 1.3km to a high rocky knoll with great views.

You can turn around here or carry on down into a shallow valley then up onto another high point above the rocky pinnacles. Most people will be content to turn around here, but the true summit is 700m further away to the north. 

Mount Ossa

Distance: 5.2 km return

Elevation Change: 487m ascent

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Location: Track starts at Pelion Gap, 1.6km from New Pelion Hut

As the tallest mountain in Tasmania at 1617m, Mount Ossa is on most Overland Track hikers’ tick list. It’s a long and challenging hike to the summit, but it’s worth it. Recently the national park has done a lot of work on the track to add stairs, making it a bit less arduous.

From Pelion Gap, the track climbs up the side of Mount Doris. Then it flattens out a bit as it contours around into a saddle at the 1.5km mark. There are great views from here and hikers without time or energy should enjoy them, and then turn around.

After the saddle the real climbing begins. Head up a scree-filled gully, being careful to follow the marked track.

The next kilometre features lots of steep and rocky terrain that will require a little bit of scrambling over boulders. This can be treacherous when it is wet, icy or snowy. After passing a small tarn, turn right to reach the boulder-covered summit. 

Mount Pelion East

Distance: 2.4 km return

Elevation Change: 331m ascent

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: moderate/challenging

Location: Track starts at Pelion Gap, 1.6km from New Pelion Hut

If you’re looking for a less crowds than Mount Ossa, or just want a shorter hike, head to Mount Pelion East, just across Pelion Gap. At 1461m tall it’s still a worthy objective. Plus its shorter height means it’s less likely to get clouded in.

The trip to the summit is a gradual climb through gum trees and along grassy slopes that can be wet and muddy. The final few hundred meters to the summit involve following cairns through the rocks, climbing up a a scree-filled gully, and then scrambling up to the top of the summit tower. 

D’Alton and Fergusson Falls

Distance: 1 km return

Elevation Change: 70m descent

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: easy

Location: Track starts 4.1km from Kia Ora Hut

If you have time for lots of side trips on the Oveland Track, head down to D’Alton and Fergusson Falls. (But if you’re short on time, skip these and go to Hartnett Falls instead.) D’Alton and Fergusson Falls sit in a deep gorge along the Mersey River. They can be a bit of a trickle in the late summer and fall, but in the spring they rage with water.

From the Overland Track, descend on a zig zag track for about 300m to a junction. Turn right to contour around the side of a hill towards Fergusson Falls. There’s a fixed chain to use as a handhold. Be careful on the sheer ledges at the viewpoint.

Retrace your steps to the junction, then go steeply downhill to the left towards D’Alton Falls. The track is very close to the cliff edge at some points and there is no railing, so be careful.

Hartnett Falls

Distance: 1.5 km return

Elevation Change: 60m descent

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: easy 

Location: Track starts 4.5km from Kia Ora Hut

Hartnett Falls is the most beautiful waterfall on the Overland Track and is an easy side trip that you shouldn’t miss. It sits deep inside a fern-covered canyon.

From the Overland Track follow the track through the forest as it gradually descends to the Mersey River. After about 700m you will arrive at the top of the falls.

If you take a rough track to the right you’ll emerge on the river’s edge above the falls. At times of low water flow, there’s a great swimming hole.

If you head left, you can follow a newly refurbished track along the canyon rim, then down a set of stairs to the bottom. Head back up stream towards the falls, hopping across rocks to stay out of the stream. Although the water is icy cold, the pool below the falls is popular for swimming.

Pine Valley

Distance: 4.7km one way

Elevation Change: 60m ascent

Time: 1.5-2 hours one way

Difficulty: easy

Location: Track starts 5.2 km from Bert Nichols Hut/Windy Ridge campground or 3.8 km from Narcissus Hut

If you have an extra couple of days on the Overland Track, its worth heading into Pine Valley. There’s a hut and campground, plus more trails that lead deeper into some spectacular wilderness. 

From the Overland Track descend to the Narcissus River and cross it on a suspension bridge. The track continues through flat forest on a mix of boardwalk, slippery tree roots and mud.

Cross the first bridge over Cephissus Creek at the 1km mark and then the second bridge back to the north side after another 1.5km. The track continues alongside the creek for another 2.2km before crossing Cephissus Creek for the third time (back to the south side), and arriving at the Pine Valley Hut.

The Acropolis

Distance: 6.4km return

Elevation Change: 640m ascent

Time: 4 hours return

Difficulty: moderate/challenging 

Location: Track starts at Pine Valley Hut

The imposing rock spires of the Acropolis look like you’d need ropes and technical climbing skills to get up them. But there’s actually a fairly straightforward route to the summit for hikers from the Pine Valley Hut. It does involve lots of boulder-scrambling and route-finding.

From the Pine Valley Hut, follow the track north. Then, turn turn right 40m later at a junction on to the Acropolis Track. In the first kilometre you will pass by Cephissus Falls and then cross Cephissus Creek.

After the creek crossing the track begins to climb up through the forest and reaches a ridge-top around the 2km mark. There are good views from here.

On the ridge the track turns left and follows the ridge crest for another kilometre. The track crosses rocky scree slopes as it follows cairns up a gully and scrambles up some short cliffs to the summit.

The Labyrinth

Distance: 6km return

Elevation Change: 430m ascent

Time: 4.5 hours return

Difficulty: moderate

Location: Track starts at Pine Valley Hut

The Labyrinth is a high alpine plateau dotted with small lakes that reflect craggy mountain peaks. Photographers love it here. You can climb up to the Labyrinth Lookout as a day trip from the Pine Valley Hut.

From the Pine Valley Hut, follow the track north then turn turn left 40m later at a junction on to the Labyrinth Track. The trail meanders through the forest before climbing up to a saddle below the Parthenon.

Next the track flanks east around the Parthenon before arriving at a junction at Lake Cyane about 2.8km from Pine Valley. Take the right hand track and climb up to a rocky lookout. This is the Labyrinth lookout. From here you get a panoramic view of all the lakes, plus Mount Geryon and the Acropolis to the north west.

If you want to walk further, return to the junction and go left past several small lakes to Lake Elysia, considered the prettiest spot in the Labyrinth. The trip will add another 2km each way to your hike.

Most hikers will do only a handful of these Overland Track side trips. You will have to let the weather, your fitness and time limits decide which ones you pick. (Tip: Check out my Overland Track itineraries to see which ones I recommend, depending on your schedule!)

Have you done and of these Overland Track side trips? Which ones would you recommend? Tell me in the comments.

MORE OVERLAND TRACK POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post 10 Overland Track Side Trips appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I hiked the trail in February 2019 and had an amazing time. I’ve put together a section-by-section overview of the Overland Track to give you a taste of the trail and help you get prepped for your trip.

It’s got info on distances and hiking times for each day, difficulty and things you won’t want to miss. There are also lots of photos! Use this Overland Track overview to help you plan your trip.

I’ve updated all the info for the 2022/23 season. This post includes:

• Key distances on the Overland Track
• Staring the Overland Track: Checking in and getting to trailhead from the visitor center
• Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 10.7 km plus side trips
• Waterfall Valley to Windermere: 7.8 km plus side trips
• Windermere to Pelion: 16.8 km plus side trips
• Pelion to Kia Ora: 8.6 km plus side trips
• Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 9.6 km plus side trips
• Windy Ridge to Narcissus: 9 km plus side trips
• Narcissus to Cynthia Bay: 17.5 km (bonus final day)
• Finishing the Overland Track: Sign-in to formally finish, where to eat, and arranging transport

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out my other Overland Track posts:

• Overland Track Basics: Everything you need to know including how to book, what the weather is like, when to go, and how to stay safe.
• Overland Track Itineraries. Trips from 4 to 12 days for beginners, fast hikers, peak baggers and more. Be sure to consider which
• Side trips to take from the Overland Track. You can climb Tasmania’s highest peak, swim in a lake, visit a waterfall and more.
• Camping and huts on the Overland Track: Details on what to find at each site.
• How to get to the Overland Track: shuttle buses, water taxis, self-driving, and more.
• What to pack for the Overland Track: A super detailed packing list.

Key Distances on the Overland Track

Starting the Overland Track

To start the Overland Track you’ll need to go the Overland Track check-in desk at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. (Need info on getting to Cradle Mountain? Check out my Overland Track transport guide.)

The visitor centre is next to the large visitor car park just outside the main entrance to the park. Bring a copy of the email with your booking confirmation. You will also need to complete a walker safety checklist to confirm that you have the right gear and are prepared for the trek.

After you check-in, the ranger will give you a small, waterproof Overland Track permit on a string. You need to keep the permit attached to your pack while you are walking and to your tent when you camp.

Before you leave the visitor centre use the toilet and fill up your water bottle since this is the last place to do that.

The start of the track is actually seven kilometres into the park. You can walk there in a couple hours on the Cradle Valley boardwalk.

But most people opt to take the free park shuttle bus. Get on the bus just outside the Visitor Centre, then get off at the Ronny Creek stop. At Ronny Creek, be sure to sign your name in the walkers log book and take a photo with the Overland Track sign.

Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley

Distance: 10.7km

Elevation Change: 390m ascent, 220m descent

Time: 4-6 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

Side Trip Options: Cradle Mountain, Barn Bluff

Unfortunately, the most difficult section on the Overland Track is the first day, and you’ll have to tackle it with a heavy backpack. As well, most of this day’s walk is out of the trees where you are very exposed to wind and rain. Be sure to keep rain gear and warm clothing easily accessible just in case. 

The track starts on wide duckboard from the Ronny Creek car park. You’ll pass lots of wombat burrows in buttongrass. After about 700m turn left to cross a bridge and reach a junction. Go up the stairs to the right to stay on the Overland Track through more buttongrass. After another 700m and a few stairs, go left at the junction to stay on the Overland Track.

The next section follows a creek through thick forest with a few sets of wooden stairs. Eventually you’ll emerge on the shores of Crater Lake next to an old boat house. If it’s raining and the lake level is low, head into the boat house to take a break.

From Crater Lake you’ll start to climb out of the trees towards Marions Lookout, passing two tracks coming in from the left. The trail up to Marion’s Lookout is steep in places, with lots of stairs and even a short scramble section with a chain to hang on to. This is the steepest and hardest climb on the Overland Track.

Take a break at the top to admire the great views of Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain.

From Marion’s Lookout the track undulates over open buttongrass for another 2 kilometres before reaching Kitchen Hut. This historic hut was built in 1939 as a traditional lunch stop. It’s a small hut with a few benches and it can get crowded inside on rainy and cold days. The hut is for emergency use only so don’t plan to sleep there. There’s a toilet a few meters further along the trail from the hut.

About 100m from Kitchen Hut is the turn off for the track to the summit of Cradle Mountain. From here, the Overland Track contours around the side of Cradle Mountain through buttongrass and a few clumps of trees for another 3 kilometres. 

Just past the Lake Rodway Track junction on the main track is a small, green, plastic dome-shaped emergency hut. The next section of track is some of the most exposed so you may want to take a break here out of the weather.

From the emergency hut, the track traces the rim of the Cradle Cirque. The terrain drops steeply to your left. After about 700m, you’ll reach the intersection with the Barn Bluff Track. The Overland Track stays on top of the cirque for another 500m before starting the descent down to the Waterfall Valley.

The track heads into the trees, which can be a welcome respite from high winds and rain up on the cirque. Watch for the right turn towards the Waterfall Valley Hut and campground.

Waterfall Valley to Windermere

Distance: 7.8km

Elevation Change: 50m ascent, 50m descent

Time: 2.5-3.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy 

Side Trip Options: Barn Bluff, Lake Will

After starting with the hardest bit, you can follow it up with the easiest Overland Track section from Waterfall Valley to Windermere. The track starts by descending to cross a couple of creeks. It stays mostly flat, with some ups and downs through open forest and button grass.

After 3.5km you’ll reach a the turn off to Lake Will. There’s a large wooden platform here to leave your pack if you decide to make the side trip.

From Lake Will, the track climbs gently up a ridge, with views of lakes all around you. About 1.5km from Lake Will you’ll reach the top of the ridge and a great viewpoint. You can see your destination for the night, Lake Windermere, below you.

Descend steeply off the ridge, then walk across grassy plains to the shores of Lake Windermere. There’s a small open area next to the lake with rock steps heading into the water. It makes a great place to have a swim. The Windermere Hut and campground are a 10 minute walk slightly uphill from the lake.

Windermere to Pelion

Distance: 16.8km

Elevation Change: 270m descent, 150m ascent

Time: 5-7 hours

Difficulty: Moderate 

Side Trip Options: Old Pelion Hut, Mount Oakleigh

This is the longest Overland Track section, but thankfully none of it is too difficult.

The track starts out fairly flat with a few short climbs. For the most part you’ll be walking on open plains with a few patches of forest.

After about 4km you’ll reach the junction for the short spur trail to the River Forth Lookout. There’s open area for you to leave your packs, but the track is only 50m long so you may choose to keep your pack with you. There’s a great viewpoint at the edge of cliff where you can see the River Forth far below.

From the lookout the Overland Track heads into tight forest. The track here is has lots of roots and rocks, so it’s slow going. About 1km later, the track emerges from the trees and heads across the plains. If you look across the valley here you can see Old Pelion hut. Unfortunately your route to get there is not very direct.

The track heads back into the trees and descends to cross Pelion Creek. There’s a wooden platform here with a bench that makes a good place to rest. It’s also a good spot to collect water.

After leaving the creek, the Overland Track heads into dense forest and gradually trends downhill for he next 2.5km to Frog Flats. This is the lowest point on the track at 720m elevation.

From the bridge over the River Forth at Frog Flats, the trail climbs in the forest for the next 1.5km before levelling out a little bit. About 2km later you’ll see the turn off to Old Pelion Hut on your left. Walk 400m more meters to New Pelion Hut and campground. Just past the hut is the start of the Mount Oakleigh track.

Pelion to Kia Ora

Distance: 8.6km

Elevation Change: 260m ascent, 270m descent

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate 

Side Trip Options: Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa, Mount Pelion East

The fourth Overland Track section is fairly short, but it includes a steep climb. As well, most walkers take a side trip up either Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion, making this day much more challenging.

The first 1.5 kilometres of the day is fairly flat walking through tight forest. Then the climbing begins.

You’ll ascend  200m of elevation over the next 2.5km to Pelion Gap. If the weather is bad, Pelion Gap is very exposed. If it is raining, windy or snowing, put on your extra clothes in the forest before you emerge into the gap.

At Pelion Gap there’s a large wooden platform to take a break and great views in all directions. You can also leave your pack here if you want to take a side trip to either Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East. The march flies can be bad here though.

From Pelion Gap, the track drops through open terrain for about 1.5km into a wet area, then crosses Pinestone Creek. Then it’s another 2.5km of walking on a rocky track through a mix of forest and scrub to Kia Ora Hut and campground. 

Kira Ora to Windy Ridge

Distance: 9.6km

Elevation Change: 190m ascent, 160m descent

Time: 3.5-4.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate 

Side Trip Options: D’Alton and Fergusson Falls, Hartnett Falls

The fifth Overland Track section isn’t especially difficult, but does include a climb up to Du Cane Gap, plus two waterfall side trips that can make your hike more time consuming.

The first 2.5km of the track is a straightforward walk first through buttongrass plains, then through flattish, open forest to the historic Du Cane Hut.

Built in 1910, the hut is the oldest one in the park and was originally used as a trappers hut. As a historical building, it’s not very structurally sound anymore, so you can’t sleep in it. However, be sure to go inside and read some of the informational signs about the history of the hut and the park.

After Du Cane Hut it’s another 2.5km through flat forest to the junction for D’Alton and Fergusson Falls. Just 500m past the turn off to the first falls is the junction with the Hartnett Falls track. 

After the Hartnett Falls intersection the track starts to climb up towards Du Cane Gap. You had been walking in dense forest for most of the morning, but as you climb up to the gap beside Castle Crag Mountain, the forest becomes a bit more open.

From Du Cane Gap the track descends through myrtle forest for 1.5km to the Bert Nichols Hut and Windy Ridge campground.

Windy Ridge to Narcissus

Distance: 9km

Elevation Change: 140m descent

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Easy 

Side Trip Option: Pine Valley

This is an easy Overland Track section since it’s all downhill! The first 5km of the track wind through flat eucalpyt forest that is a bit more open that the forest around Windy Ridge. Watch for snakes sunning themselves in this area – we saw three!

Around the 5km mark you’ll arrive at the junction with the Pine Valley Track. There is a clearing here with some fallen logs to sit on if you want a break.

Past the junction, it’s another 3km through forest, then across boardwalk in buttongrass to the banks of the Narcissus River. Cross the river on a long suspension bridge, the only one on the trail.

After the bridge, continue along the boardwalk through more open vegetation with great views of Mount Olympus across Lake St Clair. After about 1 kilometre, you’ll reach the Narcissus Hut and campground.

If you’re taking the Lake St Clair Ferry, head inside the hut to use the radio to confirm your booking. Then head straight past the hut and take the boardwalk 300m to the jetty. 

Narcissus to Cynthia Bay

Distance: 17.5km

Elevation Change: none

Time: 5-6 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Most hikers opt for the boat across Lake St Clair so they technically don’t complete the Overland Track.

However you can add an extra section to your walk (and save some money) by continuing all the way around Lake St Clair on a flat trail through the forest. I opted for the boat so I haven’t actually walked this section of the Overland Track.

The Overland Track heads to the right at the Narcissus Hut. Almost immediately you’ll pass the Lake Marion Track and then 1.5km later the junction with the Cuvier Valley Track. Shortly afterwards, the Overland Track heads closer to the shores of Lake St Clair where it stays for most of the remainder of the walk. Unfortunately, there are few views of the lake.

It should take you about 2.5 hours to walk the 6.3km after from Narcissus Hut to Echo Point Hut. There’s a jetty on the lake in front of the hut that is a good place for a swim.

After Echo Point, the track continues in the forest along the lake for another 11.2km. As you approach the end of the Overland Track you will encounter many junctions. Stay on the Overland Track and go over the bridge at Watersmeet.

The track turns into a dirt road. Look for the junction to Fergy’s Paddock campground about 700m after the bridge. Another 700m of walking past there brings you to the Lake St. Clair Visitor’s Centre at Cynthia Bay and the official end of the Overland Track.

Finishing the Overland Track

If you took the ferry across Lake St. Clair it will drop you off on the jetty at Cynthia Bay. Follow the signs up the jetty to the right along a dirt road. Walk along the road for 150m to the Lake St. Clair visitor Centre.

Once you arrive at the visitor centre be sure to take some photos at the Overland Track sign to commemorate your trip. Afterwards, head to the ranger’s desk in the west wing of the centre (on your right) to sign in and confirm you have completed the track safely.

There are public toilets and a cafe in the east wing of the visitor centre. The Overland Burger is a popular choice. The car park is behind the visitor centre.

If you booked a shuttle bus, head back there to meet it. (Find out more about shuttle buses in my Overland Track transport guide.)

So that’s my Overland Track overview with a section-by-section breakdown of the trail. If you have any questions while planning your trek, let me know in the comments.

MORE OVERLAND TRACK INFO:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.