The Overland Track in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park sits at the northern end of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). To put things simply, World Heritage sites are recognised by UNESCO for their environmental and/or cultural significance on a global scale.
Based on this criteria UNESCO found that the TWWHA holds a greater variety of evidence of both the globes natural and human history than any other site on earth.
The park has 1500 year old trees, 350 million year old fossils and countless endemic species of both flora and fauna. Plus, Tasmania makes up only 1% of Australia’s land mass but holds 50% of its alpine areas and the Overland Track alone runs beside 4 of Tasmania’s 5 highest peaks.
Working as a guide on the track I've walked the trek more times than I can now remember, but every time I go I see it at a new time of year or in a different weather pattern and it always reminds me why I break myself to be there.
Here I've listed some personal trip-tips to get as much as you can out of your trek.
On the first day set off early and climb Cradle Mountain. Of all the mountains on the track Cradle Mountain is the most challenging as it involves the trickiest sections and the most false summits but gives the best views to the North.
Lake Windermere is the warmest lake on the Overland Track if you’re ever going to brave a swim. I recommend attempting the 30 metres or so to Windermere Island where there's a visitor book you can sign your name in.
If ascending Mt. Oakleigh continue past the summit and follow the cairns for about 30 minutes more. There you’ll reach the top of the pinnacles which is a much better view down into the Forth River Valley.
Mt. Ossa has a shallow tarn on the summit that is surprisingly warm so take your bathers.
From Ducane Hut consider spacing out your group and doing a silent solo walk through the cool-temperate rainforest to the waterfall junction 30 minutes in.
The top and bottom of all 3 waterfalls (Fergusson, D'Alton and Hartnett falls) are accessible if you can spot the paths, just be mindful of water levels and watch your step.
You can either take the fairy across Lake St. Clair (booking required) or skirt around the lake. If you’re taking the fairy ask the skipper about ‘The Hang Challenge’.
If you’re planning on walking around the lake instead then get an early start and it can be done in a day from Bert Nichols Hut. The track goes through rich and thick forest but it’s full of roots and mud so it’s a beautiful but tiring extra 18km’s.
Matt Jones
mattjonesphotography.tumblr.com
LFRF acknowledges all the Traditional Owners of the land [or country] and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present of all of Tasmania and urges you to please do the same.
