Overland Track

The Overland Track is the most well known hike in Tasmania and probably Australia. It runs 65 km from Cradle Mountain in the north to Lake St Clair. If you stay at all huts along the way it will take 6 days to finish. That would allow you time for side trips such as climbing the Barn Bluff and Mt Ossa. We had some bad luck with the weather and actually felt we did not want to stay in the bush for that long so we finished the track in 4 days instead. On the Overland Track you are required to carry a tent since it is not possible to book places in the huts. Due to this the backpack was a bit heavier than usual so although it was not that far to walk every day it was still quite hard.

Fantastic colors on the high plains.

The first part of the track is above the tree line with great views but then ends in the bush. The part through the bush is not too exciting but the first part makes it all worth while. Walking on the high plains with the button grass, the snow gum trees and the small lakes is spectacular. The hike over all reminded us very much of New Zealand except for the animals (like wallabies, wombats and tiger snakes), gum trees and the smell of eucalyptus.

Gum trees at Windemere Lake.

This was most probably our last multiday hike on this trip. It was the 11th one since June last year and most of them the past 3 months or so. Honestly we are feeling that we are done with this type of hiking for now. It is not that much fun anymore to stay in huts or camp. I think we need a break. 🙂 We will do some shorter day hikes but nothing advanced.

More images from Overland Track:

Overland Track