Trek Overland Track

The classic camping based walk along Tasmania's most iconic walking trail with many exciting side trips to raise funds and awareness for GI Cancer clinical trials research.

Challenge Highlights

  • Walk Australia's internationally famous Overland Track
  • Summit Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt Ossa
  • Enjoy delicious 3 course meals prepared by your guides in the evenings
  • Travel with the most experienced operator on Tasmania's iconic trail
  • End each day at scenic campsites in the remote wilderness
  • Explore deep forests, sub-alpine plateaus and spectacular highland landscapes
  • Enjoy close encounters with native animals, birds and stunning endemic plants

Overview

The Overland Track holds legendary status as one of the finest walks in Australia.

Walking from north to south over six days we cover the highest area of Tasmania, from the epic craggy spires of Cradle Mountain to the rainforest-clad shores of the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake St Clair. The World Heritage listed landscape is truly breathtaking and will leave you enchanted, inspired and feeling completely connected. With each day and every step, the scenery on the trail varies dramatically taking you through ancient Myrtle forest, glaciated dolerite landscapes, past plateaus covered in sparkling tarns and lakes and to Tasmania's highest peak Mt Ossa. You will have up close encounters with the unique and endemic animals that call this wonderful area home.

This full pack trek is suitable for first time bushwalkers as the inclusion of food drops and modern equipment will keep your pack as light as possible. Your professional guides will ensure your adventure is immensely memorable and enjoyable, providing support and care, creating delicious meals, and bringing the track to life with their local knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tasmanian wilderness.

Challenge Grade

This adventure involves trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace, carrying a full trekking backpack. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions is also recommended to prepare your mind and body to maximise your comfort whilst on The Overland Track.

2012/13 Itinerary

After all the fundraising and preparation, the wait is finally over! On arrival in Launceston please make your own way to group hotel - Penny Royal. As supporters are arriving at different times, and airlines we recommend the airport shuttle which costs approx $15 one way. Standard twin rooms have been booked, we will gather at 2pm for a meeting with your guide for a brief about the trek. It is ESSENTIAL that you bring along with you all of the gear and clothing required for your expedition. The briefing will be approximately 2 hours in duration and will include: -Opportunity to meet your fellow group members over a complimentary hot beverage -Overview of the itinerary and objectives of the tour -Cross-check of required gear and clothing -Distribution and packing of all hire gear requested and/or included in the tour price -Explanation of what is expected from the group and individual participants -Outline of inherent risks of the trip and our emergency procedures -Explanation of conservation strategies and Leave No Trace principles -Forecast weather conditions -Confirmation of pick up times and locations for the following morning’s departure -Opportunity to pack your backpack and leave it with your guides, ready for the following morning

Meals:  Nil

We pick you up from group hotel at 7am and drive 2.5 hours to Waldheim, ‘forest home’, where our Overland Track trek begins. The morning is spent walking up past lakes and tarns to the top of the Cradle Plateau where we are rewarded with views of Dove Lake and an endless horizon of impressive mountain ranges. After lunch, weather and time permitting, we may opt for a side trip to the craggy summit of Cradle Mountain before making our way to Waterfall Valley for our first night under the stars. Walking Distance: 10km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast at our campsite we continue south to Lake Windermere. A leisurely day that offers time for a side trip to Lake Will – named after a coal prospector in the 1800s. There is opportunity to have a relaxing lunch and swim from the sandy shores of Lake Will. Returning to our packs we head back across the rolling buttongrass plains to our stunning campsite. We spend the afternoon kicking back with a hot drink taking in the fabulous views from camp, and perhaps having another refreshing swim. Walking Distance: 8km + side trips | Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a wild day of moorlands and mountain views. We don our packs and walk across Pine Forest Moor with spectacular views across the massive Forth River Valley to the lofty heights of Mt Oakleigh and to today’s destination at its base. We descend around Mount Pelion West to a popular lunch spot at Frog Flats. After lunch we walk up through tall, lush forest onto the great expanse of Pelion Plains. We have the option of a short side trip to Old Pelion Hut to gain a deeper appreciation of the park’s rich history. Walking Distance: 17km | Walking Time: 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

From camp we continue walking south through Myrtle forest, past tufted Pandani trees, then up to the saddle (1113m) between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa. This is the perfect place for a well deserved rest. In fine weather climbing Mount Ossa – Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617m – is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Overland Track. With magnificent views in all directions we continue south into Pinestone Valley to our creek-side campsite overlooking the grand spires of Cathedral Mountain. Walking Distance: 9km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we walk through towering rainforests of Leatherwood and Sassafrass trees, heading towards three of Tasmania’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. The first we visit is Fergusson Falls, named after a former ranger at Lake St Clair, followed by Dalton Falls. The third of these enchanting falls is the spectacular Hartnett Falls, named after Paddy Hartnett, an eccentric Irish bushman who was rarely seen without his bowler hat. We walk up through Du Cane Gap then descend to our campsite at Bert Nichols. Walking Distance: 10km + side trips | Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we pack our backpacks for the final day on the track, which takes us through mixed eucalyptus and stands of temperate rainforest to the shore of Lake St Clair, the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere. As we near Lake St Clair we can gaze up to the peaks of Mt Ida and majestic Mount Olympus. We catch a 30 minute ferry across the lake, providing spectacular views back upon the mountains we’ve walked past, and a wonderful conclusion to our Overland Track trek. After time to explore the visitor centre and a celebratory lunch, we board the bus for our return drive across the Central Plateau to Launceston. You will be dropped off at your group hotel at approximately 5pm. Tonight we celebrate our achievements and raising funds and awareness for GI Cancer. Walking Distance: 9km | Walking Time: 3 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning own arrangements to the airport or onward travels. Congratulations on the challenge and raising awareness and funds for the GI Cancer Institute.

Meals:  B

What's Included

  • 2 professional wilderness guides
  • 2 nights Launceston Hotel
  • 5 nights camping
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners snacks and hot drinks
  • Food drop provisions along the track
  • Transport by private minibus
  • Lake St. Clair ferry passage
  • National Park fees
  • Overland Track Permit
  • Tent, backpack and gaiters
  • Sleeping bag, inner sheet & inflatable sleeping mat
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Launceston
  • Items of a personal nature - alcoholic beverages, car parking etc
  • Travel insurance

What You Carry

  • For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 75-90litres in capacity. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be between 14-18kg. This will need to include the following items:
  • -Sleeping bag
  • -Inflatable mat
  • -Portion of the shared tent
  • -Portion of the group food
  • -All personal items that you have decide to bring along
  • -All wet weather gear

Australia Challenge Reviews

Videos

Walk Tasmania's Overland Track with Tasmanian Expeditions

Fast Facts

Trip Dates: DepartReturn
Duration:8 Days
Activities:Charity Challenge full pack trek
Grade:Moderate to Challenging  Click for more information
Trip Code:SOG5207