Unlike the popular Overland Track, Walls of Jerusalem is a lot more wild with less facilities. However, it definitely isn’t short on beauty.

It’s located in Tasmania’s central highlands and boasts some spectacular views, rocky peaks, and kilometres of well-laid-out trail. I spent three days in the area, which was enough to see all the major sights, but I could have spent weeks more exploring off-trail.

If you’re looking to explore Tasmania’s wilderness on a multi-day bushwalk, a trip to the Walls of Jerusalem is a great option.

In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to visit this gorgeous destination including:

• Walls of Jerusalem basics including best time to go, weather, and fees
• Maps of Walls of Jerusalem showing all the trails and campgrounds
• How to get to to the car park from Devonport, Launceston, and Hobart
• Walls of Jerusalem walk notes including track descriptions, distances, elevation gain, difficulty, and time for each section
• Info on camping including facilities
• Day walks in the park (the best way to get good views)

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Walls of Jerusalem National Park Basics

Overview: Walls of Jerusalem National Park is located in Tasmania’s central highlands near Cradle Mountain National Park. It’s a hike-in only wilderness park made of up rocky peaks and tiny crystal blue lakes.

While you can do a day walk into the area, most hikers opt to camp for a night or two. That way they will have enough time to tackle some of the nearby peaks. I made a short video that gives you a great overview.

What’s With the Name? The park takes its name from two prominent cliff bands that early Europeans thought looked like the walls of Jerusalem. In later years, subsequent bushwalkers including local legend Reg Hall gave other geographic features in the area Biblical names.

Distance: At least 20km return. More if you add on peaks.

Elevation Gain: At least 700m. More if you add on peaks.

Difficulty: If you stick to the main Walls of Jerusalem track, the hike is of moderate difficulty. If you venture off onto any of the other unmarked tracks or off-trail areas, the difficulty jumps up to challenging.

Time: 1-4 days

Best Time To Go: Tasmania’s highlands are usually snow-free between November and March. However, the best weather is in December, January, and February.

Weather: Walls of Jerusalem National Park is high up in Tasmania’s central highlands. It can be cold, wet, and windy up there at any time of year. We experienced 1C temperatures at night and 50km/h winds in early January! Check out my list of the best weather apps for hikers to get the best forecast.

Cost: You must have a Tasmania National Parks pass to enter the park, but there are no other fees. You can buy one online, at visitor centres, or at Service Tasmania. Daily passes are expensive – the best deal is the two month holiday pass.

Registration: You must register your walk on the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website.

What to Bring: Everything you need to be self-sufficient. Use my simple backpacking checklist to get your gear prepped for the hike.

Rules: This is a fuel stove only zone so campfires are prohibited. No dogs or drones.

Animals: Possums and other wildlife are bold in this park. Keep your food inside a sealed dry bag to minimize smells. We also hung our food between two trees on a thin cord to keep possums from getting at it.

Plants: The region is also home to some unique plants including a pencil pine forest near Dixon’s Kingdom. In late December and early January the scoparia bushes bloom. I was lucky enough to catch the tail end of the flowers. Keep an eye out for the remarkable cushion plants in the central walls and near Dixon’s Kingdom. These bright green oddities can grow up to 3m across and look like giant pin cushions. Be careful not to step on them though, as they are very fragile.

Further Resources: The best guide book to the area is Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair, and Walls of Jerusalem National Parks by John Chapman, Monica Chapman, and John Siseman. You can find it at bookshops in Tasmania.

Walls of Jerusalem Maps

If you want a paper map, you can pick one up from Service Tasmania – look for TASMAP 1:25,000 Walls of Jerusalem National Park Map.

I used the Gaia GPS app on my hike. It was helpful to know where I was on the trail to figure out how much higher I had to climb and where the next campsite or landmark was. All Trails+ is also great.

I also made you a bunch of trail maps using Gaia GPS. Click through to zoom in and explore. You can also save it to your routes in Gaia GPS or export the gpx file.

Getting to Walls of Jerusalem National Park

There is no public transport to Walls of Jerusalem National Park so you will need to drive yourself or hire a shuttle.

Cradle Mountain Coaches offers shuttles from Hobart, Devonport, and Launceston. I used them to get to the Overland Track and they were easy to deal with.

On this trip, we drove ourselves to the Walls of Jerusalem trailhead. It’s a long drive, but it’s easy. It’s entirely on sealed (paved) roads except for the last few kilometres. However, even the gravel portions are fine for all cars.

There is no mobile phone reception on the last portion of the drive, so make sure you bring a map or a copy of the driving directions below so you don’t get lost.

Driving from Devonport

It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to the car park from Devonport.

Take Highway B19 north from Devonport. In Spreyton, turn right onto the B14 and follow it to Sheffield. From Sheffield, turn right onto the C136 to Gowrie Park. Continue on the C136 past Mount Roland, then turn left onto the C138. Turn right onto the C171, which becomes gravel part way along. 

Continue south to Lake Rowallan, then along the lakeshore to the bridge over the Fish River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the road uphill for 1km to the car park. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Driving from Launceston

It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive from Launceston to the car park.

Follow Highway 1 west to Deloraine. From there continue on the B12 west through Mole Creek. Turn left onto the C138, then left again onto the C171, which turns to gravel part way along.

Continue south to Lake Rowallan, then along the lakeshore to the bridge over the Fish River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and follow the road uphill for 1km to the car park. Here are Google Maps driving directions.

Driving from Hobart

Head north on Highway 1 to Deloraine. Then follow the directions from Launceston above. Here are Google Maps driving directions. It takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes to get to the car park from Hobart.

Walls of Jerusalem Walk Notes

Most people will walk into Walls of Jerusalem from the main car park and camp at either Wild Dog Creek or Dixon’s Kingdom on their first night. Below I’ve got kilometre-by-kilometre walk notes for that section of the park. Scroll down for info on the Walls of Jerusalem/Lake Adelaide Circuit as well as day walks from Dixon’s Kingdom.

Car Park to Trappers Hut

Distance: 2.5km

Elevation Gain: 380m

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Difficulty: Challenging

The first section of the track to Walls of Jerusalem is the hardest part of the hike. It gains 380m in just 2.5km. The steep hill, combined with a heavy backpack, can be quite a challenge. Thankfully, it’s over quickly. Pack lots of water as this section is usually dry.

There’s an info kiosk at the car park with a map. It also houses the walkers’ logbook. Make sure you sign-in at the start of your hike and sign-out at the end. There’s also a toilet here. It’s the last one until Wild Dog Creek, so be sure to use it. If you drove yourself to the trailhead, make sure to leave your national parks pass on the dashboard of your car.

The start of the walk to Walls of Jerusalem actually begins with a boot cleaning station. There are brushes to scrub your boots, plus a cool pump-operated disinfectant station. Tasmania’s wilderness is under threat from invasive diseases and plants, so cleaning your boots is super important.

After the boot cleaning station, the trail starts to climb uphill. In the first kilometre you’ll pass by an old info kiosk that used to hold the walkers’ logbook before the new car park kiosk was built.

You’ll also formally enter Walls of Jerusalem National Park. The park boundary is marked with a big blue sign. There are a few small streams in this section that may be running in spring and early summer but expect them to be fully dry by late summer.

The next 1.5km of the trail is fairly unremarkable. The path continues to climb through the forest, although there are a few flatter sections where you can catch your breath a bit. The final bit up to Trappers Hut is quite steep.

Pause for a snack at Trappers Hut. Be sure to go inside to read the info panels about this historic building. While it used to be a cozy home for fur trappers, the hut is now a historic structure so you aren’t allowed to sleep in it. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to either as it’s full of holes!

Trapper’s Hut to Wild Dog Creek

Distance: 4.5km

Elevation Gain: 110m

Time: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Unfortunately, the climbing isn’t over after Trapper’s Hut. A few minutes past the hut, you’ll arrive at a junction. The track to the right leads to Lake Adelaide while the main Walls of Jerusalem path heads left. Turn left and continue uphill. About 1km and 100m of elevation gain after leaving the hut, the grade eases up.

From here, the track undulates up and down over a rocky plateau. The track underfoot is rarely smooth with lots of rocks and roots, so watch your step. You’ll pass lots of small tarns sprinkled throughout.

These are known as Solomon’s Jewels. About 2.5km from Trapper’s Hut the track dips down next to the largest lake. It’s a great spot for a break if you need one.

After leaving the lakeshore, the track continues along the plateau. Just past the 4km mark, you’ll catch sight of the Wild Dog Creek campsite across the valley and King David’s Peak up ahead. Descend a small hill into the flat-bottomed creek valley. The campsite is just uphill to the right of the track. The campsites are arranged along three side trails. The toilet is on the highest trail if you need to use it.

Wild Dog Creek to Dixon’s Kingdom

Distance: 4km

Elevation Gain: 140m

Time: 1.25 hours

Difficulty: Easy

From Wild Dog Creek, continue up the hill for another half kilometre and 50 m higher to a pass known as Herod’s Gate. This is where you will enter the Walls of Jerusalem proper and start to enjoy the most spectacular scenery in the park.

The sheer walls of King David’s Peak rise up to your right and the valley stretches out in front of you. The walk through the valley is mostly on smooth boardwalk that makes for fast and easy travel.

Past Herod’s Gate the track curves around the walls, passing above Lake Salome. Next, it traverses across the valley towards a stand of trees. Just past the trees, a boardwalk path goes left. It’s a short 100m walk to the Pool of Bethesda, a beautiful little tarn that makes a great snack spot.

Back on the main track, the boardwalk swings to the right and begins a gentle climb up to another pass. This one is called Damascus Gate. There are great views from here. At the top of the pass, you’ll reach a 4-way junction.

Your path to Dixon’s Kingdom goes straight. The track to the left leads to the summit of the Temple while the one to the right goes to Solomon’s Throne and King David Peak.

Descend from Damascus Gate on a boardwalk and stone path that is usually as smooth as a sidewalk. The route curls around the side of the Temple and descends 70m into the forest to reach the hut and camping area at Dixon’s Kingdom.

Walls of Jerusalem Circuit/Lake Adelaide Route

Distance: 11.2 km

Elevation Gain: 215 m

Time: 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

The route from the Walls of Jerusalem car park to Dixon’s Kingdom is definitely the most popular way to hike in Tasmania’s Walls of Jerusalem National Park. However, making a circuit via Lake Adelaide is also a good option.

This route used to be unmaintained and require some off-trail travel, but in 2022, Tasmania Parks and Wilderness improved it and installed a permanent campground at Lake Adelaide. I haven’t hiked this route since I visited before the upgrades.

To complete the loop, follow the usual route from the car park to Dixon’s Kingdom, described above. Then, head south to Lake Ball. Pass the historic Lake Ball hut on the shores of the lake, and continue west to Lake Adelaide and the nearby Lake Adelaide campground.

From there, the trail heads north through a grassy valley before rejoining the main trail just south of Trapper’s Hut.

Camping in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

There are three established camping areas in Walls of Jerusalem National Park with toilets: Wild Dog Creek, Dixon’s Kingdom, and Lake Adelaide. Wilderness camping outside of designated sites is now officially discouraged to protect the fragile environment.

Please remember to register with Parks and pay National Parks fees if you camp in the park.

Wild Dog Creek Camping Area

This campsite is located 7 km from the carpark on a hillside above Wild Dog Creek.

The Parks and Wildlife Service have done a lot of work to this site: there is a toilet and 19 raised tent platforms (some of which are large enough for two tents). There are more platforms on the third level of the site, but they are reserved for commercial guided groups.

There are water taps throughout the campground, piped in from Wild Dog Creek. The water is untreated, so filter or purify it before drinking.

Wild Dog Creek is a logical base camp for groups that find the ascent into the park exhausting. It’s an easy walk to Herod’s Gate, the core Walls area, and Damascus Gate. However, it’s a longer hike to Mount Jerusalem from here.

On my hike, we found Wild Dog Creek to be too short of a walk from the car park so we kept going to Dixon’s Kingdom.

Dixon’s Kingdom Camping Area

Dixon’s Kingdom is the name for a historic hut set in a grassy valley 10km from the car park. It used to be the summer home of the Dixon family in the 30s and 40s when they grazed cattle here. These days the hut is in pretty rough shape and should only be used in an emergency. Be sure to go inside the hut to check out the info board about the area’s history.

In the last few years Parks has created a new tenting area to the southwest of the hut. On my visit, we camped at the old camping area which was northeast of the hut, so that’s what’s in the photo below. But now you must camp at the new camping area.

the new camping area has room for 16 tents on raised platforms. It also has a toilet. There are two rain water tanks or you can get water from Dixon’s Creek. However, all water is untreated, so filter or purify it before use.

Lake Adelaide Camping Area

I haven’t visited this camp site, but I’ve heard that Tasmania Parks has recently turned what was an informal camping area into a designated campground.

It has a toilet but no raised tent platforms. Instead, there space on the grass to pitch your tent. There is a rain water tank as well, but of course filter or purify the water before drinking. This is a good campground to use if you are doing the Circuit, but it’s not convenient for any of the day walks.

Day Walks in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

While you can walk into the Walls of Jerusalem in one long day, most hikers plan to stay overnight to tackle one of the excellent day walks in the area. There are four peaks to climb. Here’s everything you need to know about each one.

Solomon’s Throne

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Gain: 120m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 40 minutes return

This short but spectacular hike gets you to some of the best views in Walls of Jerusalem. It’s a steep climb, but the Parks Service has done an amazing job of arranging the jumble of rocks into stairs that are straightforward to ascend.

From the saddle at Damascus Gate head southwest towards the steep rock face of Solomon’s Throne. The first few meters are on boardwalk before the track changes to stone stairs to ascend a scree slope.

The track turns left to traverse under the rock face before ascending a steep and rocky cleft on more stone stairs. You’ll pop out of the shaded gully onto the summit plateau which is startlingly flat after the steep ascend you just made.

Follow markers northwest for a few minutes to reach the summit at 1446m and its incredible viewpoint.

King Davids Peak

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 4km return

Elevation Gain: 160m

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Time: 2.5 hours return

King Davids Peak is the most prominent mountain in the core Walls of Jerusalem area. Its pointed peak is the first thing you see from Wild Dog Creek.

The sheer walls of this peak and the ridge it shares with Solomon’s Throne are the defining features of the area. So of course, lots of hikers want to climb it. I didn’t have time on my trip, but it looks worthwhile.

To hike to King David’s Peak, follow the directions to Solomon’s Throne, above. (There used to be other trails to reach the peak, but they have all been closed for ecological reasons.)

From Solomon’s Throne continue along the ridge crest. There’s no formally marked trail so you will need to find your own route through the boulders and scrub. However, other walks told us that there is a faint trail to follow most of the way to the summit.

The Temple

Starts from: Damascus Gate

Distance: 1km return

Elevation Gain: 110m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 40 minutes return

From Damascus Gate, the Temple looks like an indistinct pile of rocks. Compared to the rock walls of Solomon’s Throne is pretty unimpressive. In fact, I was so unimpressed I almost didn’t climb it. But OMG I’m so glad I did.

It turns out that the whole point of climbing the Temple is the amazing view you get from the top. It’s by far the best place in Walls of Jerusalem to get a photo of the actual walls! You can see all the eastern wall from Solomon’s Throne all the way to King David’s Peak.

To get to the top, follow the track northeast from the saddle at Damascus Gate. At times it looks like a master stonemason has been at work here, painstakingly moving the rocks into place to create a beautiful staircase through the scree and rubble.

The track winds its way up to the summit. Along the way, you’ll crest a false summit. The photos of the central walls area are actually better from here. But continue onward for five more minutes to tag the peak, just to say you did.

Mount Jerusalem

Starts from: Dixon’s Kingdom

Distance: 5 km return

Elevation Gain: 200 m

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 1.5 hours return

The hike to Mount Jerusalem is longer and has more elevation gain than others in the park, but it’s actually quite easy thanks to the moderate grade of the climb. From the top you get a unique view to the southeast  of Tasmania’s Central Plateau spotted with what looks like a million tiny lakes. It’s a great contrast to the towering peaks of Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

From Dixon’s Kingdom, follow the track as it heads north and slightly uphill to a saddle called Jaffa Gate. From there, the track begins to climb up onto a ridge and passes several small tarns. After a short descent, the trail climbs a bit more steeply onto the shoulder of the peak.

Follow the track up the long summit ridge before finally reaching a cairn at the peak. Be sure to explore the summit area as there are great vantage points in all directions.

Final Thoughts

So there’s everything you need to plan your trip to Walls of Jerusalem, Tasmania. I really enjoyed my trip to this area. I had thought it would be a bit like the Cradle Mountain National Park since they are geographically close to each other.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find that Walls of Jerusalem has a beauty of its own thanks to the towering rock walls. And for me, the wilderness feel of the area was awesome compared to the slightly more luxurious experience you get with the huts on the Overland Track. Honestly, I’m glad I have now done both. Just don’t ask me to pick a favourite!!

Do you have questions about hiking in Walls of Jerusalem National Park? Ask me in the comments as I’m always happy to help.

MORE TASMANIA POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maria Island, Tasmania
• 22 Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• How to Spend the Weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• The Best Things to do in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

The post Hiking in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Here’s my complete Overland Track packing list. It includes everything you should bring, plus my specific recommendations for gear.

I walked the Overland Track without a guide. So this Overland Track packing list is set up for self-guided hikers who will carry all their own gear and sleep in a tent or the public huts.

For more info on the different ways you can do the Overland Track (including fully guided) check out my Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Overland Track Essentials

Trail Permit

When you check in at the visitor centre to start the walk, the ranger will give you a small waterproof, paper permit. Keep it attached to your pack while walking and tied to your tent at campsites.

For more information on how to make Overland Track bookings, get permits and how much they cost, see my Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track.

Guidebook and Map (optional)

If you want, you could definitely do the entire walk without a map or guidebook.  There are big info boards inside each of the huts that have a map and trail info for the next section of the walk.

However, I found it helpful to have a map and was also glad I read through a couple of guide books before my trip. To get an idea of what the hike is like, read my section-by-section overview of the Overland Track.

I recommend: Overland Track by John Chapman and Monica Chapman. It’s the most detailed guide to the trail anywhere and includes lots of helpful maps.

I also got the official guidebook, The Overland Track: One Walk Many Journeys from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. You can buy it when you make your track booking or at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.

If you get the official TASMAP Cradle Mountain and Lake St. Clair map, you won’t need to bring anything else on your walk. It has a big map of the trail on one side. The other side has printed descriptions for each section of trail, an elevation profile (so helpful!), and info on side trips and safety.

You can buy it at shops in Tasmania, at the national park, or online when you make your Overland Track reservations.

Compass and/or GPS (optional)

I use a GPS on all my hikes since I like to be able to see how much further I have to go. We didn’t need the GPS for navigation at all on the Overland Track since it was so well marked.

I recommend: I love the Gaia GPS app for my phone. It has lots of helpful map layers and lets me calculate the distance to the next landmark.

Backpacks and Bags for the Overland Track

Backpack

When looking for a backpack, choose something between 50 and 75L. Do a test pack at home to make sure all your gear fits. Make sure you pick a backpack that fits you well and is comfortable to carry when fully loaded.

I recommend: I took my older Boreas Lost Coast 60 backpack on the trail but sadly it’s discontinued. My husband really likes his Gregory Stout 65. It comes in a women’s version called the Gregory Amber 60.

Day Pack

If you plan to do any of the side trips from the Overland Track, you should bring a small packable day pack. That way you don’t have to carry your heavy pack the whole way. Choose one that’s about 20L in size.

I recommend: My husband and I shared the Outdoor Research Dry Summit Pack. It has a roll-top so it’s totally waterproof.

Stuff Sacks and Organizers

To stay organized I like to pack my gear in a combination of different sized stuff sacks. Mostly I use light weight dry bags. It can rain a LOT on the Overland Track so keeping your gear dry is really important.

I recommend: I like the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil window dry bags. They’re waterproof but still incredibly lightweight. Plus they have a clear panel so you can see what’s inside.

Rain Protection

If your gear gets wet, it can really ruin your trip. We did the Overland Track in the middle of summer. Despite this, we had pouring rain, hail, and snow on January 31st, and a few sprinkles of rain on other days.

I brought a rain cover for my backpack and also brought a couple big bin liners (garbage bags) to wrap up gear inside my pack.

I recommend: Some packs come with a custom sized rain cover. If yours didn’t, buy a lightweight silnylon one that fits your pack well.

Pro tip: If you tend to overstuff your pack or attach things to the outside, buy a slightly larger sized rain cover.

Tent and Sleeping Gear

Tent

The Overland Track is a serious mountain trek. You need a proper hiking tent. Even if you plan to sleep in the huts, you need to bring a tent in case the huts are full or you have an emergency.

Bring a hiking tent that is lightweight, compact and has a full length waterproof rain fly. You can get bad weather at any time up there, so this isn’t the place for a cheap, big-box store tent that will leak.

Since almost all of the campsites on the Overland Track are on wooden platforms, you may want to bring a freestanding tent. It’s challenging, but definitely not impossible to set up a non-free-standing tent on the platforms.

I recommend:

We actually brought a non-free-standing tent, the Zpacks Triplex, on the Overland Track. It took a bit longer to set up on the platforms, but overall it was fine.

We used a few screw-in cuphooks from the hardware store to make sure we could use it on the platforms. (Read my guide to the campgrounds on the Overland Track for more tips.)

The Triplex is a niche, ultralight tent, so if you’re looking for something more mainstream, I recommend the MSR Hubba Hubba. I’ve been using them for over a decade and I can’t say enough good things about them. (Well except that they aren’t cheap!)

If the Hubba Hubba isn’t in your budget, check out the MSR Elixir.

Sleeping Bag and Compression Sack

The campsites on the Overland Track are at or near 1000m elevation and it can be cold up there all year. Pack a lightweight and compressible sleeping bag rated at least 5C but preferably more like -10C. Choose one with a hood for extra warmth.

Make sure you pack your sleeping bag inside a compression sack so it takes up less space in your pack.

I recommend: I sleep cold so on the Overland Track I chose to bring my winter sleeping bag, the Therm-a-Rest Oberon. It was overkill, but I was definitely warm! I like the Outdoor Research Ultralight Compression sacks and they come in lots of sizes.

Sleeping Pad

Even the warmest sleeping bag can’t protect you from the cold ground, a draft underneath the tent platform or a hard hut bunk. You’ll need a sleeping pad for that. Choose one that is compact, lightweight and has an R value of at least 2.5. (R value measures insulation and warmth).

If you expect cold weather or know you feel the cold at night, pick a pad with an even higher R value.

I recommend: I use a Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xtherm since I sleep really cold. My husband likes his NeoAir XLite which weighs less but isn’t quite as warm.

Pillow (Optional)

You can use a bunched up jacket as a pillow, but I recommend adding a compact camping pillow to your Overland Track packing list. Your neck will thank you.

I recommend: I use a simple MEC inflatable pillow. For a slightly more deluxe experience check out the Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Premium.

Ear Plugs

Ear plugs are a must if you plan to sleep in the huts. You’ll be sleeping centimetres from a snoring stranger and you need to be able to get a good night’s sleep.

As well, some of the tent pads are very close to each other or to the trail.

For more info on sleeping arrangements inside the huts, read my guide to Overland Track huts and campgrounds.

I recommend: Bring a few pairs of cheap foam earplugs. You’re bound to lose some so it’s good to have extras. I like the contoured ones since I find they fit in my ears better.

Clothing

Hiking pants or tights (1 pair)

Choose quick-drying hiking pants made of nylon or polyester (and maybe with a bit of spandex for stretch). Even if it’s warm down at sea level, you’ll definitely want pants up in the chilly mountains of the Overland Track.

I recommend: I love my MEC Terrena Stretch pants. I also like the Prana Halle Pants. If you like convertible pants, the Prana Stretch Zions are a great option.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type)

Shorts (1 pair)

Depending on when you hike the trail, the weather may be warm enough for shorts. I hiked the Overland Track in the middle of summer (started Jan 31) and I wore shorts for about half of the days.

I recommend: The Black Diamond Valley Shorts are my favourite hiking shorts, but sadly they are discontinued.

T-shirts (1 or 2)

I usually hike in quick-drying workout t-shirts or singlets. You could also bring a button up trekking shirt.

I recommend: I love the Patagaonia Capilene Cool Trail shirt since it looks like a regular t-shirt but wicks sweat and resists odours. But any old quick-dry polyester workout t-shirt will do. You can pick them up for cheap at big-box or mall stores.

Long sleeved shirt (1)

A long sleeved shirt is a good layer for sun protection or for a bit more warmth on cold mornings. I prefer to wear a long sleeved shirt with buttons or a zip neck so that I have venting options.

I recommend: Look for a long sleeved zip-neck or button up with UPF sun protection. In warmer weather I like a button up trekking shirt.

Fleece Jacket or Light Weight Puffy Jacket

Once the sun goes down, it can be really cold on the Overland Track. Some days its also cold enough during the day that you’ll want a warm layer you can hike in.

Pack a fleece jacket or a lightweight puffy jacket that you can layer on over a t-shirt and under your rain jacket. If you hike the Overland Track in spring or fall, opt for a warmer puffy to wear at camp in addition to a fleece.

I recommend: My husband loves his Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. For a synthetic puffy it’s really light and warm. It comes in a women’s version too.

Rain jacket

You definitely should pack a rain jacket for the Overland Track since it can rain or snow at any time. And even if it doesn’t rain, it will block the wind. Add a waterproof breathable rain jacket designed for hiking to your Overland Track packing list – preferably one with pit zips for venting.

I recommend: My husband and I both really love our 3 layer Gore Tex MEC Synergy Jackets. If you want something lighter and more compact, the Outdoor Research Helium II is a great option.

Rain Pants

Pack a pair of waterproof breathable rain pants that you can easily layer over top of your hiking pants. I was so glad I had mine on the Overland Track as we had one day of truly terrible weather with rain, snow, hail and high winds.

Ones with side zippers for venting are easy to put on and take off without removing your shoes.

I recommend: I have the MEC Hydrofoil Rain Pants. They have full length side zips so they aren’t as light as the popular Outdoor Research Helium Pants.

Thermal Base Layers

It gets cold up high in the mountains, especially at night so make sure you pack some thermal base layers. Choose mid-weight thermals made of polyester or merino wool and be sure to pack both bottoms and a long sleeved top.

I recommend: I sleep cold so I wear a MEC T3 base layer top with a hood and Smartwool bottoms. My husband likes Patagonia’s Capilene Midweight long underwear.

Psst! Curious if Merino wool is worth it? Read my Merino wool explainer and decide for yourself.

Sports bra

You don’t need a ton of support for trekking, so try to choose a bra without a lot of fabric layers that will take a long time to dry.

I recommend: I really like the Knixwear bras for trekking since they are super lightweight, don’t absorb too much moisture and are seamless so they don’t chafe.

Underwear (2 or 3 pairs)

I like to bring two kinds of underwear on long trips: two or three pairs of quick drying synthetic underwear for trekking and one pair of comfortable cotton underwear for wearing at night.

Seamless underwear will be way more comfortable for hiking in, since they prevent chafing. Many of the guys I hike with swear by boxer briefs with a built in pouch to prevent their package from rubbing the inner thighs.

I recommend: I wear Patagonia’s Active underwear because they’re seamless. The guys I hike with can’t stop talking about how much they love Saxx boxer briefs.

READ NEXT: Best Hiking Underwear For Women and Men

Warm Hat

Bring a fleece or wool hat that covers your ears. It can get really chilly on the Overland Track.

Sun Hat and Sunglasses

The sun can be harsh in Tasmania, especially above the tree line. Bring a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses for protection.

I recommend: My go to baseball cap is the Sunday Afternoons Trucker.

I also brought the Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Sombrero wide on the Overland Track since it has a wide brim.

I like to wear polarized sunglasses as they cut let you see colours that are truer to reality than what you get with regular sunglasses. I like Sunskis since they have fun frame options and they aren’t too expensive for polarized glasses.

Gloves

Simple fleece or wool gloves will be enough to keep your hands warm at high elevations or on cold mornings. But if you are trekking in spring or fall, or feel the cold easily, insulated ski gloves are a better bet.

I recommend: I like wind resistant fleece gloves since they’re a bit warmer when wet.

Neck Gaiter or Buff (Optional)

When I was trekking in Nepal, my guide Chandra swore that you stayed warmer if you kept your ears covered. He often used a buff as a headband to warm his ears. It turns out that advice works well in the Tasmanian mountains too! You can also wear a buff around your neck or even as a hat.

I recommend: I bring a merino wool buff on all my hikes and was happy I packed it for the Overland Track, especially on chilly days.

Footwear

Hiking Boots

The Overland Track is muddy and rocky.  Wear supportive hiking boots and make sure they are waterproof. The most important thing is to bring boots that you’ve already worn already and that are comfortable. You really want to take care of your feet.

I recommend: I love my Salmon X Ultra Mid GTX Boots.

READ NEXT: How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking

Camp Shoes (Optional)

Pack a lightweight pair of slip on sandals, thongs, or Crocs for around camp. Pick ones that are light and don’t take up too much room in your pack.

I recommend: I brought lightweight flip flops (thongs) on the Overland Track. I wear them with Injinji toe socks for extra warmth!

Socks (2 or 3 pairs)

Keeping your feet happy on a hike is super important. Pack 2 or 3 pairs of wool and synthetic blend socks that fit well.

I also wear liner socks since they can help reduce the rubbing that can cause blisters.

Try your socks and boots at home before your trek to make sure they don’t cause any problems.

I recommend: I’m a recent convert to wearing Darn Tough socks. They’re comfortable and seem to last forever. I wear the Light Hiker Micro Crew.

For liners I love Injinji toe socks since they help prevent blisters between your toes.

Gaiters (Optional)

Most people I saw on the Overland Track wore gaiters. They are helpful to keep mud and water out of your boots in wet weather. They also offer some protection from snake bite.

I hiked the Overland Track in the middle of summer when the track was really dry. I carried a pair of short gaiters, but never wore them. If you hike in spring or fall, I’ve heard the track can get really muddy so gaiters are a must.

I recommend: I have basic Gore Tex gaiters from MEC. REI also makes good entry level waterproof breathable gaiters.

Toiletries, First Aid and Safety

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

I get travel sized tubes of toothpaste from the dentist to take on hiking trips.

Deodorant and Wet Wipes

You’ll be getting sweaty every day. Bring a small travel sized deodorant and some baby wipes for having a quick sponge bath at the end of the day.

Sunscreen and Lip Balm

The harsh Tasmanian sun can give you a sunburn in just a few minutes. Pack sunscreen and SPF lip balm to protect yourself.

Insect Repellent and/or Head Net

In some places the march flies can be terrible. Bring insect repellent.

I like to wear a head net since I don’t like putting chemicals on my face. Be sure to pack a baseball cap or wide brimmed hat to wear underneath – it keeps the netting off your face.

Hair Brush and Hair Ties

If you’ve got long hair, you know why you need these.

Contact Solution and Spare Lenses

If you wear contacts, be sure to pack contact solution and extra lenses. On cold nights, sleep with your contact case inside your sleeping bag to keep them from freezing.

Menstrual Supplies

If you expect your period on the trail, be sure to pack your favourite menstrual supplies.

READ NEXT: How to Camp and Hike on Your Period

Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizer

There are composting toilets at every campsite, but toilet paper isn’t supplied. Put toilet paper on your Overland Track packing list. Put it inside a Ziploc bag to keep it dry.  Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands after you use the toilet and before you eat.

First Aid Kit

You should pack a small first aid kit. Make sure it includes bandages, gauze, medical tape and a compression bandage for sprains. 

You’ll also want to have lots of foot care supplies such as Moleskin or Second Skin for blisters. (Check out my full list of blister care and prevention tips and tricks.)

Bring anti-inflammatory painkillers, and anti-diarrhea pills just in case. And of course don’t forget your usual prescription medications.

Your first aid kit should also contain stuff to help repair your gear in case you have any problems. We packed a small multi-tool and some duct tape.

I recommend: I like the Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kits since they come in a water resistant pouch. I always add more stuff to them, like more blister care and bandaids.

A multi-tool with a knife, pliers and scissors is always handy. I like the Leatherman Wave.

Electronics

Camera

Of course you can bring your phone to use as a camera, but you may want to bring a stand alone camera.

I recommend: I brought my Sony A6000. It’s a mirrorless camera which is more compact than a full DSLR but still produces high quality images. I find it easy to use, plus it’s not that expensive.

Headlamp and Extra Batteries

Bring a headlamp (aka headtorch) to find your way around after dark.

I recommend: I use a Petzl Actik. It’s super bright and easy to use. Plus the batteries last a long time on low power.

Power Bank (Optional)

If you’re bringing electronics, you’ll need a way to keep them all charged. Some people like solar chargers, but with the cloudy weather on the Overland Track, a power bank is more reliable.

I recommend: Bring a power bank that has enough storage to charge your devices at least once, but isn’t too big and heavy. The size you choose will depend on how many devices you bring, but at least 2,500mAh capacity or larger is probably a good idea.

Lantern (Optional)

If you plan to spend a lot time in the huts, you might want to bring a small battery powered lantern. They throw better light than a headlamp and create a cozy atmosphere for cooking, playing cards or hanging out.

I recommend: I have an older Black Diamond Apollo lantern. If you’re looking for something super small yet bright AND solar powered, the Luci lanterns are really cool.

Cooking Gear

Stove, Fuel, and Lighter

Fires aren’t allowed on the Overland Track so you will need to do all your cooking on a fuel stove. Bring a lightweight and compact stove and remember to bring enough fuel for your trip. Don’t forget a lighter!

I recommend: The MSR Pocket Rocket stove is incredibly lightweight and compact.

Cooking Pot

Choose lightweight camping pots. Unless you are making elaborate meals, you probably just need one pot.

I recommend: We use a Primus Primetech pot that has a built in heat exchanger that optimizes fuel consumption and protects the flame from the wind.

Bowl

I recommend: I like the Sea to Summit X Bowls since they are collapsible and I can store them inside my cooking pot.

Mug

You’ll want hot drinks to warm you up on cold evenings. A double-wall insulated mug keeps your drinks warm for longer.

I recommend: I recently upgraded to a swanky Snow Peak Titanium mug. It’s pricey, but it’s soooo light. Plus the double walls keep my morning tea toasty warm.

Knife and Utensils

Bring a sharp knife for cutting, plus a spoon and fork for eating. Or get a spork – they do double duty!

I recommend: I love my Snow Peak Titanium spork. I use a classic Opinel folding knife.

Dishwashing Supplies

We carry a small pot scraper, a tiny microfibre cloth and some biodegradable soap.

Use soap sparingly and be sure to pour your dish water into the grey water pits under the rainwater tank at each campground. Don’t put soapy water directly into streams since even biodegradable soap isn’t safe to go directly into the water. (Read more about how to Leave No Trace.)

I recommend: The GSI compact scraper has a hard edge for scraping stuck on stuff and a spatula-like edge for scraping softer stuff. We use Sierra Dawn camp suds for really greasy dishes.

Food and Water

Water Treatment

There are rainwater tanks at each hut, but the water inside isn’t treated. On the Overland Track we met people who had vomiting and diarrhea from drinking untreated water from the tanks.

We filtered all the water we drank on the Overland Track, including water from the tanks. We were also glad to have the filter on some of the longer days since we could fill up from streams instead of carrying enough water to see us through to the next hut.

I recommend: We brought our Platypus Gravityworks filter. It is really easy to use since there’s no pumping or squeezing. You just hang it up and let it drip through.

Water Bottles

Bring a couple of water bottles or a hydration reservoir. There are streams at regular intervals along the track so you won’t need to carry more than 1.5 or 2 litres at a time.

I recommend: I use a Source Oudoor 2L hydration reservoir so I can keep drinking as I hike.

Food

Bring lots of high calorie food that is lightweight and compact. Don’t forget the snacks! You’ll burn more calories hiking than on a usual day so don’t be afraid to pack a little extra.

I recommend: Check out my tips for choosing the best backpacking meals and my guide to making cheap backpacking meals from grocery store ingredients.

Food Bag

To protect your food from mice, possums and other critters, you need to store your food either inside the huts or deep inside your backpack.

We used a lightweight dry bag to store our food. They are waterproof and the roll-top cuts down on odours, so animals will be less attracted to your food. We met people on the Overland Track who stored their food in plastic grocery bags that fell apart or got chewed through by critters.

I recommend: I used the SealLine Bulkhead View dry bags. They’re waterproof, they have a purge valve to squeeze out excess air and the window makes it easier to figure out what’s inside.

Optional Extra Gear

Trekking Poles

The Overland Track has a lot of steep ascents and descents as well as some rocky terrain. Trekking poles can be really helpful for saving your joints on the downhills or keeping your balance in the mud. I recommend adding trekking poles to your Overland Track packing list.

I recommend: I brought my Black Diamond Trail trekking poles and was really happy to have them.

Bathing Suit and Quick-Dry Towel

There are a few places to go for a quick swim along the Overland Track. All of the lakes and rivers are really COLD, but on a hot day, you might not mind.

Men can likely just wear their trekking shorts as a bathing suit. Women may want to pack a swimsuit just in case, but I usually swim in my sports bra and underwear. If you plan to swim, bring a quick-drying microfibre towel.

I recommend: I like the PackTowl microfibre towels since they dry fast. You can get away with a small one.

Tripod or Selfie Stick

The photography opportunities on the Overland Track are epic. I wish I had brought my tripod!

I recommend: If you’re trying to go really light, get a Joby Gorillapod mini tripod. You can also get an adapter that lets you use it with your phone. I also have a Sirui T-025X Carbon Fiber full-sized tripod that I wished I had brought.

Entertainment for Camp

You’ll have a few hours each night in camp when you’ll need to entertain yourself. Consider bringing a book or some headphones to listen to music or podcasts. The huts can be really social, so a deck of cards or a compact game can be a good way to meet new friends.

I recommend: I always travel with my Amazon Kindle eReader so I have hundreds of books to choose from. We’ve brought the card game Exploding Kittens on a few backpacking trips and it’s always a hit.

Ultralight Chair

All of the huts have picnic tables with benches, but they are often busy. Plus they don’t have backrests, and after a long day on the trail, you’ll really crave a chair.

I recommend: My husband and I both have the ultralight Helinox Chair One. It collapses down really small and weighs about 1kg. My husband brought his on the Overland Track but I opted to leave mine at home to save weight. I was so jealous of his!

Cord

A short length of paracord or string can come in handy. You can use it to create a clothesline to dry out sweaty gear or a wet towel. Or you can use it to hang damp socks off the back of your pack during the day to dry them in the sun.

I recommend: You don’t need much: 3 or 4 meters of cord should be enough. Buy: REI.

Stuff You Don’t Need to Pack for the Overland Track

Here’s my list of stuff you don’t need and shouldn’t pack for your Overland Track hike:

• Climbing gear: The trails are non-technical and you won’t need harnesses, ropes, crampons, etc.
• Tons of outfit changes: Everyone else will be wearing the same stinky clothes over and over, so you can too. Plus it’s just too heavy to pack an outfit for every day.
• Portable speakers: Most people come to the Overland Track to appreciate the sounds of nature and prefer not to hear your music. The campsites can also be really close together, so you’ll want to keep the noise down.
• Saw or axe: Campfires aren’t allowed, so you won’t need to chop wood.
• Your dog: Dogs are not permitted on the Overland Track

Have you walked the Overland Track? What piece of gear made the biggest difference? Which gear do you recommend other hikers add to their Overland Track packing list? Tell us 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)
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping
• Overland Track Transport: How to Get There
• 20+ Ways to Reduce Your Backpack Weight

The post Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I ended up taking a private charter bus from Devonport, which ended up being really expensive. I definitely could have saved some money by doing some research on Overland Track transport options ahead of time and booking well in advance.

So don’t make the same mistake I did! This complete guide on how to get to the Overland Track includes:

• Where does the Overland Track start? Where is Ronny Creek in Cradle Mountain National Park?
• Where does the Overland Track finish? Where is Cynthia Bay in Lake St. Clair National Park?
• Public transport to the Overland Track: Is it available?
• Private shuttle buses to the Overland Track: How much do buses cost? Where do they leave from?
• Self-drive to the Overland Track: Driving directions and car shuffles
• Lake St Clair ferry: How to book
• Where to stay near the Overland Track: Options for before and after your trip

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

• 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.
• Section-by-section overview: What to expect on each leg of the bushwalk
• Overland Track itineraries: The standard 6-day itinerary plus lots more options
• Side trips from the Overland Track: 10 hikes to peaks, lakes, and waterfalls
• Overland Track huts and campgrounds: what to expect at each site
• Overland Track packing list: everything you need to bring

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support! -Taryn

Overland Transport Map

If you haven’t been to Tasmania, it might be tough to picture where the Overland Track in relation to Hobart and Launceston. There are also lots of confusing small highways in the Tasmanian highlands.

I made a custom Google Map for you that shows all the locations I mention in this post. Click through to toggle layers on and off to show the various routes.

Where Does the Overland Track Start?

The Overland Track starts at Ronny Creek inside Cradle Mountain National Park. Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre is a 1.5 hour drive from Devonport or a 2.5 hour drive from Launceston.

Cradle Mountain National Park is a remote mountain park that is not close to any cities or towns. There are hotels and lodges nearby, some with dining options, but there are no shops and no mobile phone reception. The visitor centre has a cafe and does sell souvenirs and some hiking supplies.

Once you get to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, you will need to check in with the rangers, then take a free park shuttle bus 7km to Ronny Creek to start the track. In the summer, the bus leaves very often (about every 10-15 minutes), but at other times of year it runs less often.

Where Does the Overland Track Finish?

The Overland Track finishes at Cynthia Bay on Lake St Clair next to the Lake St Clair Lodge. Lake St Clair is in the central highlands of Tasmania. It’s 2.5 hours from Devonport, 2.5 hours from Launceston, and 2.5 hours from Hobart.

Lake St Clair is in a remote area and is not close to any cities or towns. The only businesses are the Lake St Clair Lodge next to the end of the track and the pub at the Derwent Bridge Hotel, 5km away.

The Lake St Clair Lodge has a cafe called the Hungry Wombat that is popular with hungry hikers finishing the Overland Track.

Public Transport to the Overland Track

As of 2023, there is no public transport to the Overland Track.

Until 2019, Tassielink had bus service to Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, but that service is discontinued. You may find older info online about people taking a public bus to the Overland Track. Unfortunately that is no longer possible.

Private Shuttle Buses to the Overland Track

Many private companies offer bus or van service to and from the Overland Track. Most of the companies leave from Hobart or Launceston but you can get buses from Devonport too.

Service is more frequent in the summer. Cradle Mountain National Park maintains a list of all companies offering  transport to the Overland Track. 

Some companies have scheduled services during the summer months. All the companies offer on-demand charter service, but it can be much more expensive than scheduled service.

Most bus companies require a minimum number of passengers to make the trip, but if you book well in advance, they will try to match you up with other groups to fill the bus.

If they don’t have the minimum number of passengers booked on the day you want to go, you can pay the fare for the minimum number in order to make the trip to go ahead. On my trip we were the only walkers leaving for Devonport so we had to pay the minimum charge for 3 passengers, even though there were only 2 of us 🙁 

Launceston is the most popular place to get a bus, which makes it the least expensive since it is the easiest to fill a bus.

For prices and schedules, contact the transport companies for a quote. In general, prices start at $87.50/person/each way and go up from there. If I had known how much extra my trip from Devonport was going to cost, I might have chosen to travel to Launceston and get a bus from there.

Private bus companies can also sell you stove fuel and other supplies if you arrange it ahead of time.

Self-Drive to the Overland Track

If your group has two vehicles, you can do a car shuffle, leaving one vehicle at each end of the Overland Track. However, driving between Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain takes about 3 hours each way on winding mountain roads, so it’s time consuming.

If you have only one car you could leave it at Lake St Clair, then take a private bus to Cradle Mountain to start the Overland Track. However, private bus service between Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain is not very common.

Unless you have a large group and can arrange a charter, you will most likely have to take a scheduled private bus to Launceston, then transfer to another bus to Cradle Mountain.

In most cases it’s cheaper to leave your car parked in Launceston and take the bus both ways.

If you want to hire a car, the easiest places to do that are Hobart, Launceston, or Devonport. I use Discover Cars because it lets you compare prices from lots of different companies, so you can be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Lake St Clair Ferry 

Many people choose to take the ferry across Lake St Clair instead of walking the final 17.5 km along the side of the lake.

The ferry is privately operated and runs three times a day in the summer. Service is less frequent at other times of year and may stop entirely in the winter. 

The ferry runs between Narcissus River (near the Narcissus Hut) and Cynthia Bay near the Lake St Clair Lodge.

See my section-by-section guide to the Overland Track and Overland Track Itineraries to decide if you want to take the ferry or walk.

Call ahead to book as it does fill up in busy season, especially the midday sailing. If you didn’t book ahead, you can call the Lake St Clair Lodge from the radio in the Narcissus Hut to ask about availability. As of 2022 the ferry costs $55/person for the 30 minute trip. 

The ferry will also stop on request at Echo Point. It is best to arrange this in advance. But there is a sign you can raise at the Echo Point Jetty to signal to the operator that you want to be picked up.

You will have to put your packs in a pile at the front of the ferry and you won’t be able to access them during the ride. Make sure you grab your camera before getting on board. You may also want a jacket since it can be windy on the lake. The ferry is enclosed, but it isn’t very warm.

Where to Stay Near the Overland Track

Since the Overland Track starts and finishes in remote locations, you may want to stay overnight nearby before or after your trip.

The first day of the track is difficult, so staying in Cradle Mountain the night before can help you get started nice and early. As well, it’s stressful to rush to meet your bus on the last day, so why not stay in a warm bed that night, then get the bus the next day.

There are a few options for camping, cabins, and hotels near the Cradle Mountain National Park entrance:

• Cradle Mountain Discovery Caravan Park: Camping and cute rustic cabins across from the visitor center.
• Cradle Mountain Waldheim Cabins: Rustic cabins in the park near the Ronny Creek trailhead.
• Pepper’s Cradle Mountain Lodge: Famous luxury lodge with a spa at the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Highlanders: Secluded self-catering cabins near the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Hotel: Four-star hotel and restaurant near the park entrance.
• Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village: Self-contained chalets and bar near the park entrance.

At Lake St Clair, Overland Track walkers have a few choices:

• Fergy’s Paddock campground: Free national park campground with no toilets or water.
• Lake St Clair Lodge: Luxury lodge and restaurant located right at end of the track.
• Lake St Clair Tourist Park: Camping and dorm-style bunkhouses next to the lodge.
• Derwent Bridge Chalets: Self-catering chalets in Derwent Bridge, about 5 km from Lake St. Clair.

I hope you’re reading this well in advance of your trip. Now that you know how to get to the Overland Track, make your booking ASAP. (So you don’t end up paying way too much money the way I did!)

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
• Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips
• Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

The post Overland Track Transport: How to Get There appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

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 did tons of research about the huts and camping before my Overland Track trip to figure out what to bring and to decide if I wanted to camp or stay in the huts. Now that I’ve completed my trip, I’m put together a massive guide for you with everything you need to know about huts and camping on the Overland Track.

This post includes:

• Should you camp or stay in a hut? How to decide
• What are the huts like? What can you expect inside?
• What are the campgrounds like? Where do you pitch your tent
• Waterfall Valley hut and campground
• Wintermere Hut and campground
• Frog Flats campground
• New Pelion Hut and campground
• Kia Ora Hut and campground
• Bert Nichols Hut and Windy Ridge campground
• Narcissus Hut and campground
• Echo Point Hut
• Pine Valley Hut and campground
• Fergy’s Paddock campground

Want more info about the Overland Track? Check out these Overland Track guides:

• Overland Track Basics: 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.
• Section-by-section overview of the Overland Track: What to expect on each leg of the hike.
• Overland Track itineraries: The standard 6-day itinerary plus alternative itineraries for 4 to 12 days.
• Overland Track side trips: Climb Tasmania’s highest peaks, swim in lakes, and visit waterfalls.
• Overland Track packing list: Everything you need to bring.
• Overland Track Transport: How to get there.

Should You Camp or Stay in a Hut?

There are three ways to hike the Overland Track: self-guided where you stay in public huts and campgrounds, guided where you stay in private huts and as part of a group where you stay at group campsites.

Most walkers go self-guided (that’s what I did) so I’m going to focus providing info on the public huts and campgrounds.

All public huts and campgrounds on the Overland Track are first-come, first-served and open to all self-guided walkers. That means you can’t reserve a camping platform or bunk in a hut ahead of time. You just have to show up and hope there is space.

However, everyone is welcome to cook and socialize in the huts, no matter if they sleeping in tent or in the hut.

At some sites you may also have to share the hut and campgrounds with hikers who aren’t doing the Overland Track. (Be prepared to see other hikers at Waterfall Valley, New Pelion, Pine Valley, Narcissus and Echo Point.)

In bad weather, the hut bunks can fill up so the park rangers require you to carry a tent just in case. However, if the weather is truly terrible, you can always find a place on the floor of a hut. On my trip the weather was so awful at Waterfall Valley that everyone crammed in to the huts. No one wanted to camp! 

Whether you choose to stay in the huts or camp is a matter of personal preference. The huts are warmer and drier, but they are also noisier (snoring!) and more crowded. You won’t have much personal space in a hut and private activities like getting changed can be difficult or impossible.

Personally I prefer to sleep in my tent since I like to wake up to the sounds of nature and see the view out my door from my sleeping bag. On my Overland Track hike I only slept in a hut once at Waterfall Valley. 

What Are the Huts Like on the Overland Track?

The public huts on the Overland Track are basic, rustic structures designed to let people sleep, cook and warm up inside. The Overland Track huts definitely aren’t the deluxe huts you might find in Europe with meals for sale.

They are more like North American backcountry ski huts since they have no electricity, lighting or running water.

Tasmania’s Parks and Wilderness Service is working on upgrading the facilities on the Overland Track. That means that some of the huts are quite new. I have details on each hut below.

Here’s what you can find at all of the huts:

• Wooden bunks for sleeping. There are no mattresses or bedding so bring your own.
• Tables and benches for eating
• Metal-topped bench-tops (countertops) for cooking. There are no stoves so you need to bring your own.
• A rainwater barrel for (untreated) drinking water with a drain underneath for dumping your dirty dishwater.
• Coal or gas heater for use in temperatures less than 10C.
• Composting toilets. No toilet paper is provided. 
• Walkers log book. Sign in at every hut for safety.
• Information sign with a trail map and walk information.
• Covered porch or drying room (not all huts have this)
• Helipad for emergencies (Tip: usually you get a good view by walking out to the helipad.)

There are also four historic huts on the Overland Track: Kitchen Hut, Old Waterfall Valley Hut, Old Pelion Hut and Du Cane Hut. These old huts are more like museums. That means you can’t sleep or cook in them unless it is an emergency.

What Are the Campgrounds Like on the Overland Track?

With one exception (Frog Flats) the public campgrounds on the Overland Track are right next to the huts. Tent campers are welcome to cook and socialize inside the huts. Besides Frog Flats, there are no designated camping areas away from the huts.

You are permitted to camp informally anywhere along the Overland Track after Waterfall Valley as long as you follow Leave No Trace practices. However, I didn’t see many places that would make good campsites.

Each campground is a little different, but they all have two camping areas: one huge wooden tent platform for groups (booked separately) and then another area (or several areas) for self-guided campers. 

Some campgrounds for self-guided campers are just open grassy areas near the huts. Others have wooden tent platforms. And some have a mix of both.

The timber tent platforms have adjustable hooks and cables you can use to secure your tent. They also have flat head nails at the edges. I recommend bringing a bunch of extra string in case the hooks aren’t in the right place for your tent. This is especially helpful if you bring a non-freestanding tent like I did.

To be extra sure, you may also want to bring a few metal cup hooks from the hardware store. You can screw them in to the timber platform where you need them, then tie your tent on. The next day, unscrew them and take them with you. 

Some of the campgrounds have large platforms that are designed to hold two or three tents. Don’t hog the platforms. Be prepared to share with others.

There are metal plates on the corners of some of the timber tent platforms. If you are going to cook outside, put your stove on the metal plates to avoid scorching the wood.

Waterfall Valley Hut and Campground

New Waterfall Valley Hut: sleeps 34 in three rooms

Self-guided camping: on the grass near Old Waterfall Valley Hut

I haven’t actually visited the the new Waterfall Valley hut yet since it was completed in July 2020. It looks pretty fancy. It has big windows with an amazing view of Barn Bluff. There’s also a gas heater on a timer for winter use. It also has solar lighting.

You enter through a mudroom that also functions as a drying room for wet gear. Unlike the older huts, the kitchen area is huge with four large tables and benchtops for cooking on the side. There is also an outdoor kitchen area. The hut has three separate bunk rooms with doors that close for privacy. There are also cubbies, hooks, and benches for organizing gear. 

All self-guided camping at Waterfall Valley is on the grass near the Old Waterfall Valley hut. In nice weather there are great views of Barn Bluff and lots of friendly wallabies. However, none of the campsites are very flat and they can collect water in heavy rain.

In addition to the timber tent platform for groups, there’s also a platform near the Overland Track reserved for non-Overland Track hikers.

Windermere Hut and Campground

Windermere Hut: sleeps 34

Self-guided camping: Numerous timber platforms

Windermere Hut gets its name from Lake Windermere. But the hut and campground are actually a 10 minute walk above the lake. After you get settled in the hut or set up your tent, its worth walking back down the Overland Track to the lake access. The water is cold, but there’s a small island you can swim out to.

A brand new Windermere Hut opened in November 2022, so I haven’t visited it yet. It is arranged in two wings with a porch and open deck between them. One wing includes the communal area for cooking. It has three big tables, a long bench-top for cooking and a gas heater. The other wing has three sleeping areas.

There are lots of tent platforms scattered around Windermere hut. The most obvious ones are near the hut. However, continue along the Overland Track for 80 meters to find three separate groups of platforms. Some of them have amazing views of Barn Bluff.

Frog Flats Campground

Camping: several informal grassy sites

There is no hut or other facilities at Frog Flats. Some walkers find the distance between Windermere and Pelion huts too long, so they choose to break up the hike by stopping at Frog Flats. 

There are a few grassy clearings around the trail that make great campsites. Be careful camping too close to the Forth River as it can be very wet. You can get water from the Forth River near the bridge, but be sure to treat it first.

There is no toilet at this campsite so be sure to use Leave No Trace practices by digging a cat hole 70 meters from streams and tracks.

New Pelion Hut and Campground

New Pelion Hut: sleeps 36

Self-guided camping: timber tent platform that fits 3 tents, numerous spots on the grass

New Pelion Hut is the largest and nicest hut along the Overland Track, built in 2001. It sleeps up to 36 people in 6 separate rooms. There’s a large common room with lots of tables, benches and benchtops for cooking.

There is a covered (but not enclosed) porch all the way around the hut that is a good spot for drying gear. The north side has beautiful views of Mount Oakleigh and Pelion Plains. You can spot wombats and pademelons from the porch.

Self-guided campers can pitch their tents in a grassy area alongside the Overland Track near the turn-off to New Pelion Hut. A large timber platform accommodates 3 tents and all other camping is on grass. Most of the sites are quite close to the main track, but you can find some smaller, more private sites in the nearby bush.

Kia Ora Hut and Campground

Kia Ora Hut: sleeps 34

Self-guided camping: Numerous tent platforms

Kia Ora is a Maori greeting. One of the early guides in the park, Paddy Hartnett of New Zealand, named the nearby creek Kia Ora. The hut takes its name from the creek.

A brand Kia Ora Hut opened in November 2022, so I haven’t visited it yet. The new hut is two separate structures joined by a covered porch. There is a big deck with seating around the outside.

The larger building has a big communal room for cooking and eating. It has three big tables with bench seating. There is also a long bench-top for cooking. There is a heater in the corner. The back of that building also has a large bunk room. The smaller building has two separate bunk rooms.

There are numerous tent platforms near the old hut. Many of them are very close to each other or to the Overland Track. Some of them are very small, while others are designed for 2 or 3 tents. One of them has a great view of Pelion East. (Can you guess which one I picked?)

If you continue on the Overland Track for about 80m you’ll come to a bridge over Kia Ora Creek. There are a few spots in the creek upstream of the bridge to take a dip. However, if you cross a bridge then follow a steep and faint track downstream for a few minutes, you’ll arrive at Kia Ora Falls. The pool under the fall is really refreshing.

Bert Nichols Hut and Campground Windy Ridge

Bert Nichols Hut: sleeps 24

Self-guided camping: Tent platforms

The Bert Nichols Hut was built in 2008 and is named after Bert Nichols, one of the early guides for the Overland Track.

It’s built into the side of a hill so it has a split level design. On the top level when you enter there is a large drying room to your right. To the left the hallway leads to four separate sleeping rooms with bunks. Downstairs there is a screened in room with tables and benches on the right. On the left there is a large common room with a heater, lots of tables and some metal benchtops for cooking.

Look for tent platforms spread out alongside the Overland Track leading up to the hut. They are mostly quite small and not very private. There are also fewer platforms here than at other huts. Since all the platforms are in the trees, they are sheltered from the wind.

Narcissus

Narcissus Hut: Sleeps 18

Self-guided camping: 2 small platforms, 2 large platforms, cleared campsites on the ground

The National Park renovated Narcissus Hut in 2015 and it now sports a coat of shiny white paint inside, giving it a much different look than many of the other huts.

There is a small common room on one side with tables, benches and a metal benchtop. A door separates the common room from the bunk room. There’s a radio in the common room you can use to call to confirm ferry bookings. Outside there is a covered front porch with benches and a picnic table. 

Near the hut you will find a few timber tent platforms scattered in the trees. There are two small platforms as well as two larger platforms that can hold a few tents. In a pinch you could also camp on bare ground near the hut as there are some flat spots.

The wide Narcissus River is nearby and is rumoured to be home to a platypus. Head down for a look at dawn or dusk for your best chance of spotting him or her.

Echo Point

Echo Point Hut: Sleeps 8

Camping: Informal sites on the beach or in clearings near the hut

The small Echo Point hut has a similar design to the Old Waterfall Valley hut with two sets of double bunks and a small benchtop for cooking.

While the hut is in better shape than Old Waterfall Valley hut, hikers report that is not animal proof. Hang your food up at night to keep it safe. I recommend using a dry bag that is difficult for animals to chew through.

There is no rainwater barrel at this hut so you will need to collect water from the lake and treat it. 

There are also no formal campsites or timber platforms at the hut. Most people opt to camp on the beach but there is enough space for a few tents near the hut.

Down at the lake there is a jetty for the ferry. You can arrange ferry pick up or drop off here ahead of time. There’s also a sign you can raise to request the ferry driver to stop. The jetty is also a popular place to swim.

Pine Valley

Pine Valley Hut: sleeps 24

Camping: 2 small platforms, 2 large platforms, clearings on the ground. 

The Pine Valley Hut isn’t actually on the Overland Track. It’s a popular side trip for walkers who want to explore the Labyrinth or climb the Acropolis.

The Pine Valley Hut has a similar layout to the Old Waterfall Valley and Kia Ora huts with shelf-style sleeping platforms in the same room as the cooking tables and benches. Outside there is a covered area that you can use to dry your gear.

There are a few tent platforms around the hut tucked into tight trees. You can camp on the ground in some clearings, but the area can be very wet when it rains.

Fergy’s Paddock

Camping: grassy sites

If you need a place to stay at the end of the Overland Track and you don’t want to pay for a hotel, you can stay at the Fergy’s Paddock campground for free as an Overland Track hiker. It’s a grassy clearing just up the bank from Lake St Clair and 700m from the end of the Overland Track.

There’s no rainwater tank so you will need to retrieve water from the lake. There is no toilet at the site, but you can walk the 700m to the public toilet at the Lake St Clair Lodge.

I hope I answered all the questions you might have about huts and camping on the Overland Track. If there’s anything I missed, let me know 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)
• 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 Huts and Camping appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

But then I sprained my ankle a few weeks before my trip, so I defaulted to the most common 6-Day Overland Track itinerary with only a few side trips. (Originally I was planning something much more ambitious!)

Rather than letting those other itineraries go to waste, I’m sharing them with you. There are slower trips for beginner walkers, faster trips for strong hikers and longer trips for peak baggers or those who want to explore less-trodden side tracks.

I’ve set out a few sample Overland Track itineraries below so you can pick the one that works best for you. Some of these itineraries also include side trips, but keep in mind that side trips to mountain peaks are weather dependent. If it’s pouring rain, snowy, icy or super windy up there, you won’t be able to get to the top. (Nor would you want to!)

This post includes:

• Choosing your Overland Track itinerary: what to keep in mind
• Standard 6-day or 7-day Overland Track itinerary: most walkers use this schedule
• 5-day Overland Track itinerary: for fast walkers
• 4-day Overland Track itinerary: for fast walkers who don’t mind skipping side trips
• Beginner-friendly Overland Track itineraries: 7-day and 9-day options
• Peak-bagger itinerary: 7-day itinerary for walkers who prioritize climbing mountains
• Pine Valley-Overland Track combo itinerary: 7-day trip that also visits Pine Valley
• Maximalist itineraries: 10, 11, and 12-day itineraries for those who want to do it all

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.

Choosing Your Overland Track Itinerary

When you are planning your Overland Track trip there are a few factors to consider when choosing how many days to take.

First, consider your fitness. How many hours a day can you comfortably walk? How do you do on climbs? Read my section-by-section overview of the Overland Track to get an idea of what to expect along the way.

Be sure to consider which side trips to take. You can climb Tasmania’s highest peak, swim in a lake, visit a waterfall and more. Then read my guide to Overland Track huts and campgrounds to decide which ones look nicest.

Next figure out your priorities. Do you want to spend lots of time climbing peaks? Do you want to a rest day where you stay at the same camp for two nights? Is completing the trail in fast-and-light style more your thing? Just because the standard itinerary is 6-days doesn’t mean you need to stick to it.

Lastly, plan for the weather. Tasmania’s weather is notoriously fickle, even in the middle of summer. Keep in mind that any itinerary you choose needs to account for poor weather.

On a tight itinerary you will have to keep walking through rain and snow. But if you opt for a longer itinerary, you can wait out the storm in a hut (and forgo some of your side trips.)

READ NEXT: Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview

Standard 6-Day or 7-Day Overland Track Itinerary

This is the Overland Track itinerary I followed, and I’d say most of the people I met along the track were on the same schedule. The majority of hikers exit the trail at Narcissus on the ferry rather than walking around Lake St Clair.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Barn Bluff or Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Optional side trip to Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East.

Day 5: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Optional side trip to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 6: Windy Ridge to Narciuss Ferry Jetty: 3-4 hours.

Optional Day 7: Narcissus to Cynthia Bay: 5-6 hours. You could also walk from Windy Ridge to Echo Point (5-6 hours) on Day 6, then from Echo Point to Cynthia Bay (3-4 hours) on Day 7.

Fast 5-Day Overland Track Itinerary

If you don’t have much time, you can definitely complete the Overland Track faster than the standard itineraries. You may still even have time for some side trips. If you choose this itinerary, keep in mind that you will need to book the last ferry of the day on day 5.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Barn Bluff or Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Optional side trip to Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East.

Day 5: Kia Ora to Narcissus: 6.5-8.5 hours. Optional side trip to Hartnett Falls.

Super-Fast 4-Day Overland Track Itinerary

If you want to go even faster, you can complete the Overland Track in 4 days. You may not have time for many side trips and you’ll be spending most of each day on the track. Remember to book the last ferry of the day on day 4.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Frog Flats. 5.5-7.5 hours. Optional side trip to Lake Will.

Day 3: Frog Flats to Kia Ora: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Kia Ora to Narcissus: 6.5-8.5 hours. Optional side trip to Hartnett Falls.

Beginner-Friendly 7-Day and 9-Day Overland Track Itineraries

These beginner-friendly itineraries prioritize short days on your feet. They also include only the easiest side trips. However, more days on the track means a heavier food bag, so it’s a trade-off.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. 

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Frog Flats 3-4 hours.

Day 4: Frog Flats to Pelion: 2-3 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 5: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. 

Day 6: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Optional side trip to Hartnett Falls.

Day 7: Windy Ridge to Narciuss Ferry Jetty: 3-4 hours.

Optional Day 8: Narcissus to Echo Point: 2 hours.

Optional Day 9: Echo Point to Cynthia Bay: 3-4 hours.

Peak Baggers 7-day and 8-Day Itineraries

You can access many of Tasmania’s highest mountains from the Overland Track, including the tallest, Mount Ossa. Some people make a sport of trying to climb all of Tasmania’s peaks over 1100m tall, called Abels. This itinerary is designed to climb as many Abels as possible along the track (weather depending of course).

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Side trip to Cradle Mountain.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Side trip to Barn Bluff.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Stay at Pelion. Side trip to Mount Oakleigh.

Day 5: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Side trip to Mount Ossa and/or Mount Pelion East.

Day 6: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Optional side trip to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 7: Windy Ridge to Narciuss Ferry Jetty: 3-4 hours.

Optional Day 8: Narcissus to Cynthia Bay: 5-6 hours.

7-Day Pine Valley and Overland Track Combo Itinerary

Most Overland Track hikers do not walk the side track into Pine Valley, so it’s much quieter. There are several gorgeous day walks in the valley so it makes sense to spend at least one night at the hut there. (On my trip, the Pine Valley Track was closed due to a nearby wildfire, so I haven’t actually been there yet. But rest assured, the fire didn’t come close enough to do any damage.)

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain or Barn Bluff.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Optional side trip to Barn Bluff or Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours. Optional side trip to Old Pelion Hut.

Day 4: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Optional side trip to Mount Oakleigh, Mount Ossa or Mount Pelion East.

Day 5: Kia Ora to Pine Valley: 6.5-8 hours. Optional side trip to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 6: Stay at Pine Valley. Side trip to the Acropolis. Optional additional side trip to the Labyrinth.

Day 7: Pine Valley to Narcissus: 3-4.5 hours.

10-Day, 11-Day and 12-Day Itineraries for the Full Experience

This itinerary includes every single side trip along the Overland Track, including a few days in Pine Valley. You’ll have heavy packs on this trip since you’ll be packing so many days of food. Keep in mind that on a trip this length you are bound to run into bad weather which may preclude some of the side trips.

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley: 4-6 hours. Side trip to Cradle Mountain.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Windermere. 2.5-3.5 hours. Side trips to Barn Bluff and Lake Will.

Day 3: Windermere to Pelion: 5-7 hours.

Day 4: Stay at Pelion. Side trips to Mount Oakleigh and Old Pelion Hut.

Day 5: Stay at Pelion. Side trip to Mount Ossa.

Day 6: Pelion to Kia Ora: 3-4 hours. Side trip to Mount Pelion East.

Day 7: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge: 3.5-4.5 hours. Side trips to D’Alton Falls, Fergusson Falls or Hartnett Falls.

Day 8: Windy Ridge to Pine Valley: 3 hours. Side trip to the Acropolis.

Day 9: Stay at Pine Valley. Side trip to the Labyrinth and Lake Elysia

Day 10: Pine Valley to Narcissus: 3 hours.

Optional Day 11: Narcissus to Echo Point: 2 hours OR Narcissus to Cynthia Bay 5-6 hours.

Optional Day 12: Echo Point to Cynthia Bay: 3-4 hours.

So now you should have all the info you need to choose your Overland Track itinerary. Don’t forget to book ferries and shuttle buses that line up with your itinerary!

For your first time, I recommend the standard 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary, but if the weather looks good I’d add on Pine Valley too. Have questions about planning your itinerary? Leave them in the comments!

MORE OVERLAND TRACK POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• 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 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options) 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.

I knew the Overland Track would be the highlight of my trip to Tasmania. And I was not wrong. Despite getting pelted by snow in the middle of summer, my early February hike was amazing. I loved the high alpine plateau scenery, the craggy peaks and the moss covered forest.

As usual, I did a ton of research before my trip so I’ve put together an incredibly comprehensive guide to the Overland Track just for you.

This guide includes:

• Overland Track basics
• Maps for the Overland Track
• How long is the Overland Track? How many days does it take?
• How difficult is the Overland Track?
• Overland Track walk options: guided, in a group, or self-guided
• When to hike the Overland Track: best times to go
• How much does the Overland Track cost?
• How to book the Overland Track
• Transport to the Overland Track
• What is the weather like on the Overland Track?
• What to bring
• Overland Track safety
• Wildlife on the Overland Track
• Overland Track rules
• Additional resources

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Want more Overland Track details? Check out these posts:

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

Overland Track Description

The Overland Track is probably the most famous long-distance track in Australia. It covers 65km across the high mountains in the centre of Tasmania’s World Heritage Wilderness Area.

Your hike starts at Cradle Mountain National Park in the north and climbs over the shoulder of Cradle Mountain. It then drops down onto an undulating plateau speckled with lakes.

Next you climb up out to Pelion Gap at the foot of Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s highest mountain, then descend to another high alpine plateau with many waterfalls.

After crossing Du Cane Gap it’s all downhill to the finish line on the shore of Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. There are huts and campsites situated along the way, plus lots of options for side trips.

Want more details? I’ve got a whole post with a kilometre-by-kilometre description of exactly what to expect along the Overland Track. Read my Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview

Overland Track Maps

I’ve put together a quick Google Map overview of the Overland Track below. It includes all the campgrounds, huts and points of interest on the main track. There’s also a separate layer that shows all the side trip tracks. You can toggle that layer on and off.

On the trail you’ll want to bring the Cradle Mountain and Lake St. Clair Waterproof map by TASMAP. You can buy it at shops in Tasmania, at the national park, or online when you make your Overland Track reservations.

It’s a great map with a topographic map on one side showing the Overland Track, campgrounds, huts and all trails. The other side has abbreviated track notes for the Overland Track so you can carry only the map on your trip and don’t have to be weighed down by a guidebook.

How Long is the Overland Track? How Many Days Does it Take?

The Overland Track is 65km long. However, some people choose to extend their trip another day by walking along the shores of Lake St Clair instead of taking a ferry across. This brings the total to 80km.

There are also lots of optional side trips that will add to the distance.

Without taking any side trips or rest days, it takes most people six days to walk the Overland Track from Ronny Creek to the Narcissus ferry landing. If you choose to skip the ferry and walk all the way the Lake St. Clair Lodge, it will take 7 days.

The typical day-by-day itinerary is as follows:

1. Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley
2. Waterfall Valley to Windermere
3. Windermere to Pelion
4. Pelion to Kia Ora
5. Kia Ora to Windy Ridge
6. Windy Ridge to Narcissus
7. Narcissus to Cynthia Bay (Optional)

Depending on your fitness, experience, or interest in side trips, you could complete the Overland Track in as little as 4 days or as many as 12.

READ NEXT: 6-Day Overland Track Itinerary (Plus More Itinerary Options)

READ NEXT: Your Guide to All the Overland Track Side Trips

How Difficult is the Overland Track?

If you’ve never done a multi-day hike before, you may find the Overland Track quite difficult. But for most fit people and experienced hikers, I’d say the Overland Track is a moderate hike. However, adverse weather conditions can quickly turn it into a difficult one.

As well, while the main Overland Track is fairly easy, some of the side trips are quite difficult.

In general, to walk the Overland Track you will need to be able to walk about 12km a day or more while carrying about 18kg/40lbs in your backpack.

The track is uneven and very slippery in places, with lots of climbs and descents. You will need to make sure you are prepared with the right gear to keep you warm and dry. And of course you need to be okay with going without a shower for the entire trip!

READ NEXT: Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview

Overland Track Walk Options

There are four ways to hike the Overland Track:

Guided in Private Huts: If roughing it isn’t your thing, you can still hike the Overland Track. Sign up for the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk. It’s a guided version of the Overland Track where you stay in private huts that have hot showers and provide all meals. This is the most expensive option.

Guided with Camping: If you’re new to bushwalking, you may want to go with a guided group. You will walk with your guide and group each day, then camp in the designated group campgrounds  each night. The guides carry the bulk of the group gear and prepare all meals. Some companies may use helicopter-delivered food to reduce weight.

Un-Guided Group with Camping: Groups of 8-13 people can walk the track as a group. Typically these groups are school groups, clubs or community organizations. Groups must stay at designated group campsites reserved for them.

Self-Guided with Camping and/or Public Huts: Most people (including me) walk the track independently staying at public huts and campgrounds. All of the information I have included in this post is specific to self-guided walkers.

READ NEXT: The Complete Guide to Overland Track Huts and Camping

When To Hike the Overland Track

The best time to hike the Overland Track is in the Tasmanian summer and fall between December and April. At that time the weather is warmest, there is no snow and there is a lot of daylight. However, it can still get quite cold and rainy.

The permit season for the Overland Track runs from October 1 to May 31. During this period you have to pay the Overland Track fee, book in advance and are only permitted to walk from north to south. (See Permits section below for more info.)

In the winter and early spring from June 1 to September 30th there is no track fee and no reservations. You only have to buy a national park entry pass. During this period you are also permitted to walk in either direction. However, since it is winter and the area gets a lot of snow, you’ll need to be prepared with snowshoes, winter gear, navigation experience and excellent winter survival skills.

How Much Does the Overland Track Cost?

The short answer: At least $241.20AUD, but probably more. The typical self-guided hiker will pay at least $471.20.

The long answer: The total cost of your Overland Track walk will vary depending on which transportation options you choose and whether you decide to take the Lake St Clair ferry or not. (See below for more info on transport.) Here’s a simple breakdown of costs for a typical Overland Track trip for one person:

Overland Track Permit Fee: $200

National Parks Pass: $41.20

Lake St. Clair Ferry: $55

Shuttle Bus Launceston to Cradle Mountain: $87.50

Shuttle Bus Lake St. Clair to Launceston: $87.50

Typical Cost to Walk the Overland Track without a guide: $471.20AUD

Psst! Think the Overland Track is too expensive? Check out nearby Walls of Jerusalem National Park instead. You can go bushwalking there for just the cost of a National Parks pass. 

How to Book the Overland Track

For trips between October 1 and May 31, you must purchase an Overland Track permit. As of 2022, permits are $200 for adults and $160 for children and seniors. The fee pays for track maintenance and management including huts, toilets and rangers.

You must make your Overland Track booking in advance on the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service website. You can make reservations for the season each year starting on July 1st.

The National Park allows 34 independent walkers to start the Overland Track each day. The maximum group size is 8.

Book well in advance for dates in late December and all of January as they sell out fast. When you make your booking, you are confirming your Overland Track start date only. You can take as long as you like on the trail and cannot reserve huts or campsites.

In addition to an Overland Track permit, you’ll also need to purchase a National Parks pass. There are several types of passes available. The best value for Overland Track walkers is the 8 week holiday pass that is $41.20/person or $82.40 for a group of up to 8 people travelling in the same vehicle. Annual passes are also available. You can buy your pass when you start the track.

Transportation to the Overland Track

When I was planning my trip I didn’t give that much thought to booking transportation. It actually turned out to be one of the most complicated parts of the trip since the Overland Track starts and ends in different places.

You can drive yourself to and from the track, but booking a bus is more convenient. My advice is to book your transport as far in advance as possible. You will need to decide how you are getting to and from the track and whether you want to take the Lake St Clair ferry or not.

I’ve got a whole guide to Overland Track transportation, so go check that out. It includes info on shuttle buses, car shuffles, the Lake St Clair ferry and even where to stay before and after your walk. 

READ NEXT: Overland Track Transport: How to get there and where to stay before and after your walk

What is the Weather Like on the Overland Track?

Most of the Overland Track is above 1000m elevation in the high mountains of Tasmania’s central plateau. This means that it can be quite cold up there, even in the middle of summer.

Temperatures in December, January and February are typically between 5 and 18C. However it can get even colder. On my trip, we actually had quite a bit of snow and hail on January 31!

It also rains quite a bit on the Overland Track. The driest months are January, February and March. The wettest months are May to October. It’s important to go prepared for cold weather and rain, no matter what the weather forecast says.

What to Bring

You will need to be totally self-sufficient on the trail and carry in everything you will need for your trip – right down to the toilet paper! For a full run-down on what to bring on the Overland Track, see my detailed packing list.

The last place to buy supplies is the visitor centre at Cradle Mountain. There are no shops anywhere on the track.

To avoid carrying a stupidly heavy pack, choose lightweight hiking gear rather than heavy conventional camping gear. The weather in the mountains is also often very cold and wet so be sure to pack accordingly. Bring sturdy waterproof boots since the track can be very wet.

Even if you plan to sleep in the huts, bring a tent just in case. And since campfires are banned, you need to bring a stove for cooking. 

READ NEXT: Overland Track Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

Safety

The Overland Track is in a remote area where getting help is difficult. Make sure you are physically and mentally prepared.

Take a first aid kit and consider bringing a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger. You can hire them from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, gear shops and some Service Tasmania locations. I brought my Garmin inReach Mini on my Overland Track walk.

There are log books along the track at the start, finish, and huts. Be sure to sign each book so park rangers can locate you in case of an emergency.

Be prepared to turn back to the nearest hut or stop and make camp if the weather gets too bad or you are having difficulty with the hike. If you keep pushing forward, you may just make your situation worse by injuring yourself. In particular, be alert for signs of hypothermia.

Gastro problems are one of the most common ailments on the Overland Track. Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after using the toilet and before eating.

Be careful with drinking water. The rainwater in the barrels at the huts is not treated. In general it should be safe to drink but I always filtered it. While the water quality in Tasmania’s highlands is excellent, you never know if there is a dead animal or their poo upstream.

Filter or treat all water you collect from streams. Due to high human use, avoid collecting water in the Cradle Mountain day use zone before Waterfall Valley. (Check out my packing list for more info on filtering water.)

Wildlife on the Overland Track

The Overland Track provides some of the best opportunities to see wildlife in Tasmania. Many of the campgrounds and huts have possums, mice, wombats, pademelons and wallabies hanging around. As you walk the track you may spot echidnas, snakes, skinks and many species of birds.

In general, most wildlife encounters are positive (and super cute!) However, you do need to protect your food from marauding possums and currawongs and avoid snakebite.

Birds and other animals have learned that they can get food from hikers. Currawongs (a black bird in the crow family), possums (a cat-sized nocturnal marsupial) and mice are particularly brazen. Never feed animals.

Always store all food and rubbish deep inside your pack or store it inside the huts. Remember to check all your pockets! I like to seal mine inside a dry bag that is difficult to chew through and always store it inside the huts, not in my pack or tent.

We actually had a possum try to get into our backpacks one night while we slept, despite the fact that there was no food in them. It seemed she had learned that hiker’s packs always contain food!

If you leave your pack to go on a day hike, be sure to cover the zips with a rain cover or tie them shut. Currawongs have learned how to undo zippers to get at food!

There are three types of snakes in Tasmania and two of them live along the Overland Track: tiger snakes and white-lipped snakes. They are both poisonous but bites can be treated with the same anti-venom.

Watch for snakes sunning themselves on or near the track on warm days. They usually slither off if you approach. Most snake-bite victims were trying to kill or catch a snake, so as long as you steer clear of them, you’ll be fine. I saw four snakes on my walk, most of them between Windy Ridge and Narcissus. They all slithered off before I could get a good look at them.

READ NEXT: Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania

Overland Track Rules

The Overland Track is a popular walk and it is also environmentally sensitive. As always, be sure to Leave No Trace and pack the 10 Essentials. The park rangers have put a few rules in place to protect the area.

Dogs: No dogs are allowed.

Fires: No fires are allowed. Bring a camp stove for cooking.  Cook on metal topped tables or benches inside the hut. If you cook outside, place your stove on the metal plates on the tent platforms. There are heaters in the shelters but they can only be used when it is less than 10C inside the hut. You also can’t use the heaters for cooking.

Rubbish: There are no bins on the Overland Track. You must carry out all of your rubbish. You may not burn it in the hut heaters or leave it in the toilets. Food scraps can go down the toilet, but you can’t put any other kind of rubbish in, including tampons, sanitary pads and condoms.

More Overland Track Resources

There’s lots of helpful info on the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife website.

I also used The Overland Track: One Walk Many Journeys guidebook from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. This is the official guidebook to the trail. You can buy it when you make your track booking or at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. It’s a paperback so its theoretically light enough to bring on the hike with you (although I didn’t bother as I was trying to save weight.)

I’ve got lots more info on the Overland Track. Check out these posts:

• Overland Track Section-by-Section Overview
• 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

Do you have questions about the Overland Track? Ask them in the comments and I’ll help you out.

MORE TASMANIA INFO:

• How to Hike in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Tasmania
• Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia
• How to spend the weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maria Island, Tasmania
• 22 Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• The Best Things to do in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

The post Hiking the Overland Track in Tasmania appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Many people head to Strahan to take the famous Gordon River cruise to the convict site on Sarah Island or ride the West Coast Wilderness Railway, but there is so much more to see in the area. 

I spent three days in Strahan and I’ve also done a few other road trips along Tasmania’s West Coast. It’s a beautiful area and sooo much quieter than the bustling tourist sites on the East Coast.

If you want to get it away from it all and experience Tasmania’s wilderness, Strahan and the West Coast are the places to do it. I’ve put together a complete list of everything you need to know to visit Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast.

This guide includes:

• Strahan basics: history, Indigneous context, weather, mobile phone coverage and more
• How to get to Strahan: driving, public transport, and tours
• Map of Strahan and the West Coast: Includes every spot in this guide
• All the best things to do in Strahan
• Things to do on Tasmania’s West Coast including Queenstown
• Info on Strahan accommodation
• Where to eat and buy groceries in Strahan

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Strahan, Tasmania Basics

Pronunciation: Until a local corrected me, I was saying it wrong. Oops. It’s pronounced “strawn”. 

Highlights: Visit the convict heritage sites on Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour, cruise the Gordon River, experience the rainforest on a bushwalk or scenic train ride, and explore wilderness beaches. 

Indigenous Context: Traditionally, the Lowreenne and Mimegin bands of the Toogee tribe lived in the Macquarie Harbour area along with seasonal visitors from other West Coast tribes. Like Indigenous people in the rest of Tasmania, they were systemically massacred. Sadly, I couldn’t find acknowledgment of Indigenous history at most tourist attractions in the area. 

History: The first colonial settlement in the Strahan area was the penal station on Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour. The Sarah Island prison held the worst offenders in Tasmania and was notorious for its harsh conditions. The convicts harvested huon pine from the nearby forest and built ships.

The penal colony closed in 1833 and in the following years the timber industry expanded, mines opened, and commercial fishing began. Strahan was founded as a harbour town to service the mines. Today, most of the industry has scaled back and Strahan is primarily a tourist town.

Location: Strahan is located in the middle of Tasmania’s West Coast. The town sits on Macquarie Harbour, a huge natural inlet that is larger than Sydney Harbour. The towns of Queenstown, Rosebery, Tullah, and Zeehan are 45 minutes to an hour away inland. 

How Long to Spend in Strahan and the West Coast: You’ll want to spend at least two days in the area to see the highlights. 

Best Time to Go to Strahan: The summer months of November through February are the driest and warmest, and therefore the best time to visit Strahan. 

Strahan Weather: Tasmania’s West Coast is directly in the path of the Roaring 40s winds so it has some of the roughest weather in the state. In the summer temperatures range from lows of 8-11C to highs of 18-21C. While the summer months are drier than the rest of the year, the West Coast is still the wettest part of Tasmania. Be prepared to experience rain on any day of the year. 

Mobile Phone Coverage in Strahan: There is mobile phone coverage in Strahan, Queenstown, Zeehan, and Rosebery, but internet access can be slow. Once you get outside of the towns by just a kilometre or two, expect service to drop-off. 

How to Get to Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

Driving to Strahan, Tasmania

The most common way to get to Strahan is to drive yourself. Since you will want a car to get around on the West Coast, I recommend driving.

It’s a 4.5-hour drive from Hobart via the A10 Lyell Highway. If you’re coming from the north, it’s a 2.75-hour drive from Devonport or 3.5 hours from Launceston via Cradle Mountain on the A10 Murchison Highway. Click here for driving directions. 

You can hire a car in Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport. I use Discover Cars since they let you compare prices from lots of different companies. That way you know you’re getting the best deal.

Public Transport to Strahan, Tasmania

It is possible to see the sights in the town of Strahan without a car, so you could opt to take a public bus to Strahan. Tassielink operates one bus a day between Strahan and Burnie with stops in Queenstown, Rosebery, Zeehan, and Tullah.

Strahan and West Coast Tasmania Tours

Since Strahan is so far from many of Tasmania’s other attractions, a tour can be a great way to squeeze in a visit to the West Coast.

A popular option is to take a three-day West Coast Tour from Hobart to Launceston that includes Mount Field National Park, Strahan, Montezuma Falls in Rosebery, and Cradle Mountain National Park.

This highly rated five-day tour of Tasmania spends 1.5 days on the West Coast and allows enough time for a Gordon River cruise.

If you don’t have a lot of time, you can even take a day tour to Strahan by air. You’ll fly in and out of Hobart, take a Gordon River cruise, explore the town, then return to Hobart that evening. 

Map of Strahan, Tasmania and the West Coast

I made a custom Google Map for you that shows all the attractions in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast.

Things to do in Strahan, Tasmania

Gordon River Boat Cruise

Taking a Gordon River Cruise is one of the main reasons people visit Strahan. The cruise gets you out onto the water, which is the only way to see two of the area’s main attractions: the convict heritage sites on Sarah Island and the picturesque Gordon River.

There are two cruise companies in town and they run nearly identical cruises.  Both tours start early in the morning and finish in the early afternoon, with lunch served on board.  Since the cruises take up most of a day, most visitors to Strahan plan their trip around taking a cruise.

Both cruises include a guided tour of the convict sites at Sarah Island and a guided walk through the rainforest at Heritage Landing. The guides for Sarah Island are the actors from the play The Ship That Never Was. They stay on the island all day to give tours to guests from both boats.

A stop at salmon farms contained in large floating net pens in Macquarie Harbour is also included on both cruises. The audio commentary during these stops may lead you to believe that salmon farming is a purely positive thing. However, there are numerous environmental problems with these farms including disease, escaping fish, and low oxygen levels in the harbour caused by the overpopulation of farm fish. 

Gordon River Boat Cruise Schedule

The two companies operate on similar schedules but swap out the order of the two key attractions: Sarah Island and Heritage Landing. Here are the schedules for both cruise companies:

Gordon River Cruises (navy blue boat): 8:30am departure. Order of attractions: Hell’s Gates, salmon farm, Gordon River, Heritage Landing, lunch, Sarah Island, dock in Strahan

World Heritage Cruises (red boat): 9am departure. Order of attractions: Hell’s Gates, salmon farm, Sarah Island, lunch, Gordon River, Heritage Landing, dock in Strahan. Check prices.

Which Gordon River Boat Cruise Should You Choose?

There are two Gordon River boat cruise companies. They are quite similar, so it can be hard to choose. On my trip, I went with World Heritage Cruises (red boat) since the companies seemed really similar and it was a bit cheaper.

Since my trip was on a nice day and we spent all of our time on the outside deck, I was happy with my choice since we didn’t actually use the indoor seat we paid for in the cheap section.

However, if it had been cold or wet, I think I would have happily paid for an upgraded seat or gone for the cheap seats on the blue boat since they would offer a much better view out the windows.

Here’s the rundown on the two Gordon River boat cruise options with the pros and cons for each.

Gordon River Cruises (navy blue boat): 

Pros: visits Gordon River in the morning when the water is calmer to see reflections, larger outside deck, cheapest seats all face forward and have individual tray tables, airplane-style

Cons: Slightly more expensive, not locally owned.

Book with Gordon River Cruises.

World Heritage Cruises (red boat):

Pros: Slightly cheaper, locally owned company

Cons: All of the cheapest seats are grouped around tables of 8 which means you share with strangers and half the seats face backward, visits Gordon River in the afternoon so no opportunity to see reflections in the water, smaller outside deck.

Book with World Heritage Cruises.

West Coast Wilderness Railway

Besides the boat cruises, the other really popular attraction in Strahan is the West Coast Wilderness Railway. Originally built to service the area’s mines, this historic steam train travels between Strahan and Queenstown.

The section in the middle is so rugged that the railway uses a toothed rack and pinion cog system to overcome the steep grades.

You can take half- or full-day outings from either station. (Check the schedule as it leaves Queenstown on some days of the week and Strahan on the other days.)

The tours include stops at heritage stations and a rainforest walk. I didn’t have time to take a railway tour on my trip, but my friend who is a Tassie local said it was great. Book a West Coast Wilderness Railway Tour.

Hogarth Falls

The short walk to Hogarth Falls is a great way to experience nature in Strahan. It’s a flat and easy 2.4km return walk that will take most people about 45 minutes. Along the way, you’ll pass through a beautiful section of rainforest with lots of leatherwood, sassafrass, and myrtle trees.

The walking track starts in People’s Park just off the Esplanade, about halfway between Strahan Village and Regatta Point.

Morrison’s Huon Pine Saw Mill

Strahan’s history is built upon harvesting Huon Pine. Today, Morrison’s Huon Pine Saw Mill on the village waterfront carries on the tradition of milling huge pieces of Huon Pine into boards and slabs.

On your visit you can learn about the history of the pines, watch the mill in operation or buy a souvenir from the gift shop. (Cutting boards are popular.) They also have free demonstrations at 3pm every day that coincide with the Gordon River cruise boats returning to town.

See a Performance of “The Ship That Never Was”

Everything I read about Strahan before my trip mentioned that you shouldn’t miss “The Ship That Never Was”. I’m not a huge theatre-goer, but I caved to the pressure and went to the play. Wow! I’m so glad I did. Probably one of the most fun productions I’ve ever seen.

The two-person cast tells the true story of the last convict-built ship on Sarah Island. They use clever props and LOTS of audience participation. I guarantee it will make you laugh… and teach you about Australian convict history.

The 75-minute long play runs every evening at 5:30 p.m. between September and May at the amphitheatre next to the visitor centre by the harbour. Tickets are at the door only.

Foreshore Walk

One of the best ways to see Strahan is to go for a walk. There’s a 2.5km walking path along the waterfront parallel to the Esplanade between the Primary School in the west and the railway station at Regatta Point in the south. We walked portions of it on our trip.

There are beautiful views of the main harbour from Regatta Point. You’ll also pass lots of interesting historic buildings like the customs house, which is the post office today.

Water Tower Hill

If you want to see Strahan from above, head up to Water Tower Hill for great views. To get there, go uphill on Esk Street from the Esplanade. Go past the upper entrance to the Strahan Village Hotel to the lookout at the end of the road.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is Tasmania’s longest beach measuring 30km from Trial Harbour in the north to Macquarie Heads in the south. The sandy beach is gorgeous and the wilderness location means you won’t have to share it with many others.

But this is Tassie’s wild West Coast. The wind and waves here have blown across thousands of kilometres of open ocean before slamming into the coast. Swimming isn’t advised and it can be wickedly windy.

To get there, head west out of Strahan. Just before the airport, veer right onto Ocean Beach Road. The car park is at the end of the road, 5km from Strahan.

Macquarie Heads

The entrance to Macquarie Harbour is called Macquarie Heads. You can drive the gravel road 15km from Strahan out to the south side of Macquarie Heads inside Macquarie Harbour.

There’s a popular campground here as well as a boat launch. The water here is much calmer and it’s less windy than at Ocean Beach, so it’s a better option for playing in the sand or splashing in the waves.

The area is really popular with the offroad crowd though, so be prepared to see lots of utes and motorbikes on the beach. The sunsets are unreal. We camped here for two nights and it was gorgeous.

Henty Dunes

The Henty Dunes are just north of Strahan, behind Ocean Beach. The dunes are up to 30m tall and seem to rise directly out of the surrounding forest. The prevailing winds of the Roaring Forties have pushed the sand up and away from the ocean over millennia, creating the huge dunes.

You can climb up the dunes from a roadside picnic area 14km north of Strahan on the road to Zeehan. There’s also a path through the dunes to Ocean Beach. Apparently, you can rent sand boards in Strahan to play on the dunes, but we missed that memo and just wandered around gawking at the view and getting sunburnt instead. 

Things do on Tasmania’s West Coast

Plan some extra time on your drive to and from Strahan to make some stops at sights on Tasmania’s West Coast. Queenstown is definitely worth your time but there are lots more things to see two.

So far I’ve made two trips to the West Coast and have been to most of the places on this list… but there are still a few left to explore next time. 

Queenstown, Tasmania

Queenstown is the largest town on Tasmania’s West Coast. It’s a 45-minute drive on the Lyell Highway from Queenstown to Strahan. Today Queenstown has about 1,800 residents but had 10,000 inhabitants during its gold and copper mining heyday about 100 years ago.

The long-gone mining boom means that the currently sleepy town has a grand hotel and an art-deco theatre. Take a stroll through town to admire the old buildings. 

Spion Kopf Lookout, Queenstown

To see Queenstown from above, head to Spion Kopf Lookout at the northeastern end of town off Latrobe Street. Locals from the Lion’s Club have constructed a concrete path to the top of the hill, with old mining relics displayed along the way. 

99 Bends

The Lyell Highway east of Queenstown is famously twisty, earning it the nickname “99 Bends”. The hills around Queenstown have suffered from years of mining and copper smelting, stripping them of vegetation and staining the earth a yellowish orange.

Be sure to stop at the viewpoint about 4km east of Queenstown to admire the bends and get a good view of Queenstown’s strange moonscape. I thought it was both incredibly sad and strangely beautiful. 

Horsetail Falls

A newly built boardwalk gives you easy access to a viewing platform clinging to the side of a hillside at Horsetail Falls. It’s a 1km return walk with lots of steps.

The falls had dried up to a trickle when I visited in mid-summer, but I’ve seen photos of them really gushing down the rocky slope after heavy rains. The car park for the falls is on the Lyell Highway 5km east of Queenstown.

Iron Blow Lookout

Queenstown’s landscape was shaped by mining. And nowhere is that more evident than at Iron Blow Lookout. Walk out on the viewing platform for an overhead view of the remains of an open cut mine. Streaks of mineral deposits stain the sides of the pit. There’s also a great view east towards Gormanstown and Lake Burbury.

Iron Blow Lookout is 5km east of Queenstown on the Lyell Highway. Look for the signed side road to the car park across the highway from Horsetail Falls. 

Nelson Falls

The easy walk to Nelson Falls is just a few minutes from Queenstown. It’s a 1.4km return walk that will take about 20 minutes. The boardwalk path to the falls includes interpretation signs to help you learn about the rainforest.

The walk starts just off the Lyell Highway 27km east of Queenstown. So far I haven’t driven this portion of the Lyell Highway so I haven’t visited these falls yet, but they’re on my list.

Donaghy’s Hill Nature Trail

If you’re driving the Lyell Highway (A10) between Lake St. Clair and Queenstown, I hear the Donaghy’s Hill Nature Trail is a great place to stop and stretch your legs.

The track climbs gradually through the forest to reach a great lookout. The views of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and Frenchman’s Cap Peak look spectacular.

Plan to spend about 40 minutes on the 2.2km return walk. To get there, turn into a signed car park 34km after Derwent Bridge.

Franklin River Nature Trail

Another great spot to stop for a walk along the Lyell Highway is the Franklin River Nature Trail. It’s a flat and easy 25-minute loop walk through the rainforest to the banks of the Franklin River. Watch for the signs along the Lyell Highway 25km west of Derwent Bridge.

Zeehan Spray Tunnel

Explore some of Zeehan’s mining history with a visit to the Spray Tunnel. It’s a 100m-long abandoned railway tunnel that you can walk (or bike) right through! Glowworms live in it too! It’s an easy 1-hour return walk to the tunnel, which was built to service the Silver Spray Mine.

To get to the trailhead, take Fowler Street past the end of the golf course on the west side of Zeehan. I only found out about this tunnel when researching this post. I wish I had gone as it sounds really cool, and so far it’s pretty under-the-radar too!

Montezuma Falls

At 104m-tall, Montezuma Falls is the highest waterfall in Tasmania. To get there, you’ll hike 4km each way on an abandoned mining tramway, which means its fairly flat.

There’s a small viewing platform at the base of the falls, but you can also see them from an impressive suspension bridge. The day I went it was pouring rain, but since the whole walk is in the forest, I didn’t mind. Plus it meant there was lots of water in the falls.

The walk takes approximately 3 hours. To find the trailhead, head south from Rosebery on the Murchison Highway (A10), then turn left onto Williamsford Road. Follow the road to its end 6 kilometres from the highway.

Wee Georgie Wood Railway, Tullah

If you’re into trains, don’t miss the Wee Georgie Wood Railway. It’s a historic 2ft gauge railway, which was the only way to reach the mining town of Tullah before the highway was built in the 1960s. The original railway used wood rails instead of steel!

You can take a self-guided tour of the railway site, which is now maintained by local volunteers. On summer weekends, board a passenger carriage pulled by the 1924 steam locomotive for a 20 minute trip around the area. We didn’t have time for the train, but it looks like a cute community project.

Corinna, Tasmania

Corinna is pretty remote, but that’s part of the attraction. It’s an old gold mining town that is now an eco-tourism resort. It’s located in the rainforest on the banks of the Pieman River.

Just getting to Corinna is a bit of an adventure since it involves driving your car onto a barge ferry across the Pieman River. Book a stay in a historic miners cottage or just go for a short walk on the Huon Pine Trail. We also took an interesting walk behind the cottages to see burrowing crayfish.

Tarkine Drive

Extend your trip to the West Coast by touring the Tarkine Drive. It’s a 205km loop through the gorgeous rainforest in Tasmania’s wild Northwest.

You can go on short rainforest walks, visit lonely beaches, and maybe even spot some wildlife. (We spotted an endangered Tasmanian Devil while camping along the Tarkine Drive!)

You can drive the loop in a single day, but it’s better to break up the trip over 2 or 3 days. If you want to visit, check out my Tarkine Drive Guide for all the details.

Where to Stay in Strahan, Tasmania

Most visitors to Strahan end up staying at least one night since the boat cruises leave in the morning. In summer, bookings are essential as there aren’t that many Strahan accommodations. Here are my recommendations for where to stay in Strahan.

Hotels and Self-Contained Units

Historic House B&B: Stay in a fully restored heritage house at the Ormiston House Bed and Breakfast. The owners are passionate about local history and even have a gallery in the attic full of historical memorabilia.  

Hotel with a View: The rooms at Strahan Village Hotel have some of the nicest views in town. Spread over several buildings, you can stay right in the village or slightly up the hill. Be sure to book a view room since they look out over the harbour.

Budget: If you’re looking to save money, stay at Motel Strahan. It’s steps to the Foreshore Walk on the west side of town. Reviewers say it’s clean and cosy.

Self-Contained Cottage: The Kerrellie Cottages offer cute self-contained accommodation in restored historic cottages. 

Camping

If you want to stay close to town, book a spot at the Big4 Strahan Retreat Holiday Park or the Strahan Beach Tourist Park. They are both caravan parks with self-contained cabins.

If you want real bush camping, drive 30 minutes out of town to the rustic Macquarie Heads Campground. It’s $10 a night. There are pit toilets but you need to bring your own drinking water. We stayed at Macquarie Heads for two nights on our trip and really enjoyed it.

Where to Eat in Strahan, Tasmania

Strahan is a small place so there aren’t very many restaurants and cafes. Check hours before you go, especially on weekdays and during the offseason as many places are only open for lunch or dinner but not both.

If you are self-catering, there’s an IGA grocery store right as you come into town on the Lyell Highway.

If you’re looking to eat out, here are your options:

The Coffee Shack: Tiny coffee spot that also has baked goods, sandwiches, and salads. We had a great lunch here and also stopped for coffee one morning before our Gordon River boat cruise. Definitely the best food we had in Strahan. The only downside is that it has very little seating. Open from 6am until mid-afternoon.

Molly’s Take-Away Cafe: Located on Innes Street near the caravan parks. Classic greasy take-away burgers, pizza, chips, pies, etc. Open for lunch and dinner. 

Tracks on Point: A newer coffee shop and cafe at the West Coast Wilderness Railway station serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Hamer’s Bar and Bistro: Pretty typical hotel pub on the Esplanade serving parmas, fish and chips, burgers, etc. We ate dinner there one night. The patio seating has a beautiful view of the harbour and the food is fine but not great. Open for dinner only.

Regatta Point Tavern: Pub style food near the train station with dated decor. Reviews are mixed, but it’s a bit cheaper than other sit-down dinner options. Open for dinner.

View 42º Restaurant & Bar: The hotel restaurant at Strahan Village. They have a buffet that’s a bit pricey, but their dining room has great views. Open for breakfast and dinner.

Risby Cove Cafe: Up-scale restaurant at the waterfront Risby Cove Hotel. Dinner only.

Strahan, Queenstown and the West Coast are such a unique part of Tasmania. While most people visit for the Gordon River boat cruise or the West Coast Wilderness Railway, there is so much else to see. The Henty Dunes were a definite highlight for me.

I hope this post inspires you to visit Strahan, Tasmania and the West Coast. Do you have questions about the area? Leave them in the comments and I’ll help you out.

More Tasmania posts:

• How to Spend the Weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• 20+ Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maria Island, Tasmania
• Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania
• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia

The post Things to do in Strahan, Tasmania and the West Coast appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Tasmania has relatively few people and lots of wilderness areas, so it is just teeming with animals! I had so many amazing encounters with animals in the wild. If you know where to look, and have a little bit of patience, it’s actually fairly easy to see most Tasmanian wildlife without visiting a zoo or wildlife centre.

I travelled all over the state, so I’ve put together a big list of the best places to see wildlife in Tasmania. This post includes:

• Tips for ethical wildlife viewing
• Wildlife spotting tips
• A big list of which animals you can see in Tasmania
• Info on the 10 best places to see wildlife in Tasmania

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support! -Taryn

How to Ethically View Wildlife in Tasmania

Animals are amazing and a lot of us (me included) sometimes totally forget to be compassionate when faced with a cute animal. We want to get closer to them or even to touch them. But when we forget to think before we act, we can actually harm the animals we are so excited to see.

Whether through ignorance or deliberate action, tourists and tourism operators can end up hurting, harassing, or otherwise negatively impacting wildlife. Do your research before you participate in wildlife tourism. Here are my tips for ethical wildlife viewing.

1. Avoid Zoos

In general, zoos make me pretty sad. Even when the animals have large, natural looking enclosures, you know that they aren’t living their best life the way they would in the wild.

Some zoos have a conservation focus, housing breeding populations of endangered animals in the hopes of keeping the species alive.

But often, most zoos exist to profit off of using animals to entertain humans. And to me, that isn’t really fair to the animals since they didn’t sign-up for that.

2. Choose a Wildlife Sanctuary or Rehabilitation Centre Instead of a Zoo

If you must visit a zoo or wildlife park in Tasmania (or anywhere else in the world) do a bit of research before you go.

Look for facilities that have a good reputation for animal welfare, have rehabilitation programs for sick or injured animals, or participate in breeding programs for endangered animals.

Avoid zoos that allow you to pick up or pet animals for a fee. This is super stressful for the animals and is only done for profit. 

Full disclosure: I did visit one wildlife sanctuary in Tasmania, Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary in the North West. It has an excellent reputation for caring for sick and injured native wildlife and is one of the most important breeding centres for endangered Tasmanian devils.

They only have native Tasmanian wildlife at the facility and don’t import animals specifically for display like many zoos. In general, I felt that I learned a lot about the animals from their guided tour and was impressed with their dedication to saving Tasmanian devils. However, they do allow visitors to hand feed their kangaroos and some of their enclosures were a bit small, so I have mixed feelings about my visit.

If you must visit a zoo in Tasmania, Trowunna is a good choice. From my research, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary near Hobart and the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo on the Tasman Peninsula are other good options.

3. Choose an Ethical Wildlife Tour

I didn’t take any wildlife tours while I was in Tasmania, but it’s definitely on my list. Since I was in Tassie for over a month on each visit, I had lots of time to go out and try to see animals on my own, but most visitors don’t have time for that. That’s where an organized tour comes in.

When booking a tour, do your research and find a tour operator with an ethical reputation. Avoid tours that allow you to touch wild animals. Don’t support tour operators that feed or bait animals. And of course avoid tours that get too close to wildlife or harass them.

4. Don’t Get Too Close

I think the best (and most magical) way to see animals is in the wild. Thankfully in Tasmania that isn’t that hard. However, you need to be respectful when encountering animals.

Give wildlife plenty of space to do their thing. Use binoculars or the zoom lens for your camera for a better look instead of getting too close.

If the animal is acting nervous or staring at you, you’re probably uncomfortably close. To keep the right distance, use the rule of thumb: Close one eye and hold your thumb up in front of you. If your thumb doesn’t cover the animal, you’re too close.

5. Never Feed Wildlife

It should go without saying, but never feed wild animals. It’s not good for their digestive system and can make them sick. As well, it teaches them to rely on humans for food, which turns them into pests and disrupts their normal hunting and foraging behaviours. Make sure you secure your food and rubbish at night if you are camping, as it attracts animals as well. 

Read more about how to respect wildlife in my article about Leave No Trace.

Tips for Spotting Wildlife in Tasmania

1. Go at Dawn and Dusk

Many animals in Tasmania are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day are are active at night. Birds, ocean mammals and reptiles are active during the day, but pretty much all other animals are asleep.

You can go out at night with a flashlight (torch) but your light will startle the animals. For the best chance to see animals acting naturally, go out at dawn and dusk when there’s enough light to see. Many Tasmanian animals are the most active at that time as well.

2. Go For a Hike

Obviously parks are a great place to see wildlife in Tasmania. But if you hang around the visitor centre with everyone else, you won’t see as much as you will when you head off on a hike. Pick less travelled trails and walk quietly.

3. Stay Overnight

Since most Tasmanian animals are most active at night, book a night in a wilderness lodge or go camping. Once the sun starts to set, lots of animals will start showing up. Camping is even better than staying in a lodge since many animals have become habituated to people (and sadly to their food) and wander around without fear.

4. Listen Carefully

Don’t just look for animals, listen for them too. Kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons make thumping noises as they hop. Echidnas rustle in the bushes. Seals bark. Birds chirp and sing. And Tassie Devils… make horrible Tassie Devil sounds. Wait quietly and listen, you’ll be surprised at what you can see.

Which Animals Can You See in Tasmania?

Tasmania is home to most of the quintessentially Australian animals. But they also have a few endemic animals that live only in Tasmania, such as the Tasmanian Devil. It’s also worth noting that there are no dingoes or koalas in Tasmania – you’ll have to go to the Australian mainland to see them.

Here’s a brief rundown on some of the key animals you can see in Tasmania:

Tasmanian Devils

Known locally as Tassie devils or just devils, Tasmanian devils are the state’s most famous animal. They are about the size of a small dog (about 65cm/26″ long) and look pretty different than Taz, the cartoon version.

While they do make a pretty terrible noise, they don’t really attack people or other animals since they eat carrion (dead animals). Their vicious reputation comes from all the fighting they do with other devils over tasty, tasty carcasses. They are most active at night.

Tasmanian devils are currently endangered as their population has been decimated by a contagious facial tumour disease. That makes them very rare to see in the wild. Several wildlife parks have captive breeding programs to build up the devil population with healthy animals that are then released into the wild.

Best places to see Tasmanian devils in Tasmania: Maria Island, Tarkine region, Tasman peninsula

Kangaroos

These large hopping marsupials are the national animal of Australia. Kangaroos aren’t very common in Tasmania, but there are small populations of Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

They live in large groups, called mobs or troops and feed on grasses. The males can be up to 2m (6’6″) tall and really muscular, so make sure you keep your distance. Kangaroos are most active at night, as well as dawn and dusk.

Best places to see kangaroos in Tasmania: Maria Island, Narawntapu National Park

Wallabies

Wallabies are related to kangaroos, but they are smaller, growing to about 90cm (36″) on average. They eat grasses and leaves so you will usually see them in bushy areas. They travel alone or in small family groups, typically consisting of younger wallabies and their mother.

You can find wallabies all over Tasmania, including in suburban areas. The place we were housesitting had wallabies living in the bush across the street.

Best places to see wallabies in Tasmania: Cradle Mountain National Park, Fortescue Bay Campgrounds, Maria Island, and Bruny Island for white (albino) wallabies

Pademelons

Pademelons are also related to kanagroos and wallabies, but they are even smaller, standing about 50cm (20″) tall. They are shy little creatures so they can be hard to spot since they live in the forest.

It can be a bit tough to tell if you are looking at a pademelon or a small wallaby so here are some tips to tell the difference: Tasmanian pademelons have pointier noses, shorter more triangular ears and smaller back legs than wallabies.

Best places to see pademelons in Tasmania: Maria Island, Cradle Mountain National Park

Wombats

Before I went to Australia, I’d heard of wombats, but I wasn’t sure exactly what they looked like. It turns out they aren’t bats at all, but kind of a huge Australian gopher. They live underground in burrows but come out at night to munch on grasses.

I was surprised at how big wombats are – about 70cm/28″ in length. Fun fact: they have square poops.

Best places to see wombats in Tasmania: Maria Island, Cradle Mountain National Park

Possums

Tasmania has two main types of possums: the larger cat-sized brushtail possum and the smaller ringtail possum. (There are also tiny pygmy possums but they are hard to spot in the wild.)

Possums are marsupials that live in trees and are only active at night. Brushtails or brushies, are the most common and live pretty much everywhere from suburban Hobart to deep in the mountains.

Ringtailed possums are less common, a little bit smaller and have a white tipped tail that they keep curled up.

Possums are actually nuisance animals and will steal your food or garbage if you leave it out. We had a curious possum chew the lids of our water bottles one night on the Overland Track. When we camped at Wineglass Bay, a possum tried to carry our neighbour’s backpack away.

Best places to see possums in Tasmania: Overland Track in Cradle Mountain National Park, any neighbourhood at night

Echidnas

The spiky little echnida is Australia’s version of a hedgehog or porcupine… with a little bit of anteater thrown in. Echidnas have a long snout, perfect for sucking up ants and other bugs.

The Tasmanian version of the echidna has fur in between its spines to keep it warm. Fun fact: echidnas are marsupial mammals that lay eggs.

Best places to see echidnas in Tasmania: Cradle Mountain National Park, any hiking trail

Platypus

The platypus is a pretty unique creature. It has a duck-like bill, webbed feet, lives in the water and lays eggs, but its not a bird. Its a marsupial mammal!

Like many North Americans, I assumed platypuses would be beaver sized, but they’re actually really small, only about 45cm (18″) long.

Since they spend most of their time underwater or in their burrows, they can be hard to see. The best time to spot them is at dawn and dusk – look for the tell-tale bubbles on the surface as they swim, then watch for them to come up for air.

Best places to see platypus in Tasmania: Deloraine, Burnie

Little Penguins

Did you know you can see penguins in Tasmania? I had no idea before I went…. and then I was super excited since they are my favourite animal.

Also known as fairy penguins, little penguins are the world’s smallest penguin species at less than 30cm (12″) tall. Thousands of penguins nest in rookeries around Tasmania in the summer. The parents leave their chicks in burrows during they day then head out to sea to fish. At dusk they return home to feed their chicks, so that’s the best time of day to see them.

Penguins are very sensitive, so use only a red flashlight (torch) for penguin viewing and leave your dog at home.

Best places to see penguins in Tasmania: Lillico Beach, Burnie, Bruny Island

Birds

Tasmania is home to a LOT of bird species including migratory birds, sea birds, parrots and flightless birds. Some like the flightless Tasmanian Native Hen, are native only to Tasmania.

I’m not much of a birder, but I’m working on it. And I’m really bad at bird identification, so I won’t list them them here. But if you’re a bird nerd, definitely go look up the Kookaburra, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo and the rare Forty-spotted Pardalote.

Best places to see birds in Tasmania: Sea cliffs, forests, national parks… depends on the type of bird.

Seals

There are several seal colonies on isolated rocks off the coast of Tasmania. There are two main types of seals: Australia fur seals and long-nosed fur seals. These big seals are closely related to sea lions and can “walk” on their back flippers to get around on land.

Since the seals live off-shore, the only way to see them is on a kayak or boat tour.

Best places to see seals in Tasmania: Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet Peninsula, Bruny Island

Dolphins and Whales

The east coast of Tasmania is along the migration route of Humpback whales and Southern Right whales, and they come in close enough that you can see them from land sometimes.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in Tasmania during the migration season which occurs from May to July, and September to November for humpbacks, and from June to October for Southern Right whales. Common and Bottle-nosed dolphins are a frequent sight on the south east coast.

Best places to see dolphins and whales in Tasmania: Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet Peninsula, Bruny Island.

Snakes

There are only three types of snakes in Tasmania, and they are all poisonous. Thankfully none of them are aggressive and usually slither off quickly when they sense people approaching. It has been over 70 years since the last fatal snake bite in Tasmania and most people who are bitten are trying to either catch or kill snakes. If you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone.

The three types of snake are the copperhead, tiger snake and white-lipped snake. They live pretty much everywhere in Tasmania so watch out for them on hiking trails throughout the state, especially on sunny days.

Best places to see snakes in Tasmania: Narawantapu National Park, Cradle Mountain National Park, Lake St. Clair National Park

Skinks

Skins are the most common lizards in Tasmania. They are usually quite small at about 10cm (4″) long with metallic skin. They eat bugs, so they are actually great to have around. You can see them everywhere in Tasmania, including in people’s front gardens. We had resident skinks on the patio at our house-sit.

Best places to see skinks in Tasmania: watch out for them sunning themselves on hiking trails on sunny days, especially on the boardwalks

Best Places to See Wildlife in Tasmania

You can spot common wildlife like skinks, birds and wallabies pretty much everywhere in Tasmania. But to see other wildlife, you’ll have to seek them out. Here are my picks for the 10 best places to see wildlife in Tasmania.

1. Tarkine Region and the West Coast

The remote West Coast and Tarkine Region in Tasmania’s North West is home to the world’s second largest temperate rainforest. It’s a wild area that is largely uninhabited and supports lots of wildlife. Since it is so remote, it supports one of the remaining wild populations of Tasmanian devils.

I took a road trip through the Tarkine and stopped for lots of hikes. One night at dusk in our campground in Arthur River we were lucky enough to see a Tasmanian Devil from about 100m away! It was the best wildlife sighting of our whole trip since it was so unexpected.

Animals You Can See in the Tarkine and the West Coast: Tasmanian Devils, birds, wallabies, pademelons

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia

2. Burnie

The North West coast town of Burnie is known as an industrial centre, but its actually still a good place to spot wildlife. You can watch penguins come ashore each night from October to March at the Penguin Observation Centre near the CBD. Volunteer guides are on hand to answer questions.

Head to Fern Glade Reserve just outside of Burnie for a great chance of spotting a platypus. There’s a short walking track along the river lined with fun interpretive signs to help you learn about platypuses.

Animals You Can See in Burnie: Little penguins, platypuses

3. Lillico Beach

Lillico Beach Conservation Area is located just 5 minutes from Devonport. There’s a large viewing platform equipped with special red lights that let you see little penguins without scaring them with bright lights.

Some of the penguin burrows are right next to the platform so you can get really close views of the chicks as their parents feed them dinner. Volunteer guides have additional red lights to help you see and can answer questions. You can generally find penguins here between September and April.

This penguin viewing area was just a few minutes drive from where we were house-sitting and I loved it so much we went about once a week!

Animals You Can See at Lillico Beach: Little penguins

4. Narawntapu National Park

This under-the-radar national park is located along the coast in between Devonport and Launceston. It’s been called the Serengeti of Tasmania, and I think it lives up to its reputation.

The open grassy areas near the visitor centre are great for spotting kangaroos. The campground has resident wallabies and Tasmanian Native Hens. If you hike the trails you’ll spot pademelons hiding in the bushes or snakes sunning themselves.

There’s also an elevated boardwalk that heads out to a bird hide on the lagoon where you can spy on ducks, black swans and other water birds.

Lastly, Narawntapu is reportedly still home to a small population of endangered Tasmanian devils.

Animals You Can See at Narawntapu National Park: Kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, snakes, birds, Tasmanian devils

5. Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park

Set in the mountainous highland plateau of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park should be on every wildlife tourist’s bucket list. There are tons of opportunities to see wildlife.

The Ronny Creek area near the entrance to Cradle Mountain park has a huge wombat and wallaby population. You’ll also spot lots of birds and maybe even an echidna along the hiking trails.

If you opt to stay overnight in one of the lodges at Cradle Mountain, be sure to take a nighttime wildlife tour. Since most of the animals are nocturnal and hard to find, going with a guide is a great way to see more animals.

At Lake St. Clair, snakes are very common on sunny days and you’re bound to spot birds, wallabies and pademelons on the trails near the visitor centre. If you hike the short distance down to Platypus Bay at dawn or dusk, you might be rewarded with an elusive platypus sighting.

If you take on the challenge of walking the 65km Overland Track deep in the heart of the parks, you’ll have tons of opportunities to spot wildlife. Many of the campgrounds have resident wallabies, pademelons, wombats and possums.

The walking track has many boardwalks, which are a favourite spot for skinks. We saw literally dozens of skinks each day. If you keep an eye out you might spot snakes or echidnas beside the trail too.

Animals You Can See at Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park: Wombats, wallabies, pademelons, possums, snakes, echidnas, skinks, birds

READ NEXT: Hiking the Overland Track in Tasmania

6. Deloraine

Platypus are notoriously hard to spot. I finally saw my first platypus in the wild in Deloraine!

Mark, the owner of The Empire Hotel in the northern town of Deloraine, runs free platypus tours most nights in the summer. His walking tour explains facts about the platypus, then takes you along the river to his favourite platypus spotting areas.

Animals You Can See in Deloraine: Platypuses

READ NEXT: 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West

7. Maria Island National Park

In my opinion, Maria Island is by far the best place to see wildlife in Tasmania. But there’s a catch… you have to stay overnight. Since the whole island is a National Park, that means camping or staying in rustic accommodation in the old prison. But it’s definitely worth it.

On the ferry ride over, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and whales. During the day watch for lots of birds including huge Cape Barren geese.

But once the sun starts to go down, all the mammals come out. The large open field by the campground gets covered in wombats, wallabies and pademelons. The occasional kangaroo hops through, or you can walk out towards the airstrip where they hang out. Possums dart through the trees.

And if you listen, you might hear the horrible growling and screaming of the Tasmanian Devil. Since the island is isolated, Maria Island is one of the key places for the reintroduction of captive bred Tasmanian devils.

Reportedly the devils sometimes wander through the campground after dark, especially if someone is barbecuing meat. Unfortunately I heard them but didn’t see them.

Animals You Can See on Maria Island: Wombats, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, possums, birds, Cape Barren geese, dolphins, whales

READ NEXT: How to Visit Maria Island, Tasmania

8. Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park is famous for gorgeous Wineglass Bay. But the trails through the park and the waters surrounding the peninsula are a great place to spot wildlife.

The campsites are known for their friendly wallabies, pademelons, possums. You can also spot wallabies, pademelons, echidnas, snakes and many species of birds along the park trails. Look for dolphins, seals and migrating humpback and southern right whales off shore. 

Animals You Can See on the Freycinet Peninsula: wallabies, pademelons, possums, whales, snakes, birds

9. Tasman peninsula

The Tasman Peninsula is almost completely cut-off from the mainland by the narrow Eaglehawk Neck. That means that there is lots of diverse wildlife on the peninsula.

Watch for echidnas and pademelons on the hiking trails. In the remote Fortescue Campground watch for wallabies hopping through or possums and bandicoots prowling after dark. There is a small surviving population of Tasmanian Devils on the peninsula but sightings are rare.

The towering cliffs of the peninsula are best seen from the water. We loved taking a boat tour on our trip. The tours visit seal colonies and can also track down migrating whales and dolphins.

Animals You Can See on the Tasman Peninsula: Echidnas, pademelons, wallabies, possums, bandicoots, Tasmania devils, seals, dolphins, whales and sea birds.

READ NEXT: 20+ Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur

10. Bruny Island

Bruny Island south of Hobart is a paradise for foodies. But it also has lots of wilderness areas that are great for spotting animals like. It’s a great place to echidnas and little penguins.

But the real reason I visited was to see the population of rare white wallabies. The albino wallabies have few predators on the island, which is what has allowed them to survive. We saw lots of regular wallabies, but sadly, none of the famous white ones.

Eco-friendly boat tours are a great way to see marine life like seals, whales and sea birds.

Animals You Can See on Bruny Island: Echidnas, seals, little penguins, whales, white wallabies

READ NEXT: The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania

So there are my recommendations for the best places to see wildlife in Tasmania. The little penguins and wombats were definitely my favourite, and I still can’t believe I saw a Tasmanian devil in the wild! So lucky!

If you go to Tasmania, definitely make sure you make seeing animals a priority and of course keep ethical animal encounters top of mind. Which Tasmanian animal are you most excited to see? Tell me in the comments.

MORE TASMANIA POSTS:

• The Ultimate Guide to the Tarkine Drive in Tasmania, Australia
• 40+ Things to do in Devonport and Tasmania’s North West
• The Ultimate Guide to the Overland Track in Tasmania
• How to spend the weekend in Hobart, Tasmania: 2-day Itinerary
• 22 Things to Do on the Tasman Peninsula Near Port Arthur
• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Maria Island, Tasmania
• The Best Things to Do on Bruny Island, Tasmania
• The Best Things to do in Strahan and Tasmania’s West Coast

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