The Overland Track

The Overland Track is an extraordinary multi-day hike set in Tasmania. It starts near the breathtaking Cradle Mountain and ends, 6 days later, at Lake St Clair. The trail leads you through huge valleys sculpted by glaciers, ancient rainforests, and beautiful alpine grasslands. Waterfalls and mountain tops were also on the cards with plenty of side trips.

Day 1 : Cradle Mountain to Waterfall Valley Hut

Day 2:

Second Day, Windermere Hut. Beautiful day. Refreshing swim at Lake Will. Big Lunch.

Here’s a drawing of the wet outside I made in the dry inside. Our Gum in the front has had some troubles in the past. It’s trunk is cut. It looks old and is smaller than the other trees. But from its hardships It’s grown new branches, that hold colourful leaves. It’s trunk is washed with brighter hues than the rest. It may be the smallest tree in view, but it’s the one that stood out to me.

There’s probably a poem in there somewhere.

Day 3 :

16 kms from Windermere to Pelion Hut. Perfect weather. Solid pace from everyone. Big lunch.

Mt Oakleigh greets us, as the by now familiar face of Barn Bluff peeks out from the horizon. Oakleigh’s menacing spires seem to puncture and catch on to darkening clouds. It lays claim as the master of this landscape. But behind us lays lies its superior. Mt Ossa awaits.

Patiently it waits to meet us. Tomorrow.

Day 4:

Started the day on the Helipad at Windermere Hut. Got to the saddle and went up Mt Pelion East after a snack. Found our way to the top and sat atop its peak. Back down for a big lunch.

Took the boots off for lunch and didn’t bother putting them back on for the last push to Kia Ora Hut. The Hut greets us with warmth. We ice our bodies under a small nearby waterfall. The Cathedrals watch from a distance. Bells chime and blow their sound across the forest. The Gums gently danced in unison, and the button grass too.

All quiet in deep, everlasting worship.

Find some silence and hear their slow murmur.

Day 5: Last full day on The Overland. Kia Ora - Bert Nicholls Hut.

Puddled cobblestones lead the way through grassy mazes where hand-drawn maps just wont do. Sliced rock gorges make way for sublime waterfalls. Hypnotized by their frightening white curtains, only awoken by their spray in our faces.

Savour this last night, as the Sun sets on the Acropolis.

Day 6:

Last day on the Overland. Quick sketch of the old tree while waiting for the ferry. Beautiful weather for the whole walk. Finished all the food. Had many of good times. Looking forwards to seeing family, but can’t wait to return to the bush.

…

After a broken down ferry put the fear of a walk to Cynthia bay into us, followed by a frustrating wait in tandem in Narcissus, the ferry finally made it. Warm hugs from family and cold beers in hand we were on our way back home…