- Region
- Tasmania, Australia
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm current permits, booking requireme…
- Managed by
- Tasmania Parks and Wildlife
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Overland Track trip tools
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Photos of Overland Track
How to get there
Plan around Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair as the two ends of the traverse. Most walkers travel north to south, starting at Cradle Mountain and finishing at Lake St Clair. Arrange transport to and from the separate endpoints to match the chosen itinerary.
- Cradle Mountain
Northern endpoint of the Overland Track and the usual starting end for the north-to-south walk.
- Lake St Clair
Southern endpoint of the standard route. Walking along the lake extends the journey by an extra day.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Tasmania, Australia · Season: Best: Dec – Apr
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
The country
A UNESCO Wilderness area running from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Alpine plateau, King Billy pine, and the classic Tasmanian dolerite terraces.
Why enthusiasts come
Australia's most walked long trail. Booking system limits daily starts October–May, keeping the huts and campsites livable.
Planner-relevant notes
One-direction Nov–April. Booking + fee on release. Ferries at Lake St Clair end save 17 km if desired.
Field notes
- Snow above 1,200 m is possible any month — carry insulation.
- Mt Ossa side trip is worth the extra day when weather holds.
- Pine Valley King Billy pine forest is 1,000+ years old — stay strictly on track.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- -41.8700, 145.9800
- Latitude (DMS)
- 41° 52′ 12.0″ S
- Longitude (DMS)
- 145° 58′ 48.0″ E
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Overland Track, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
65 km across Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair — Tasmania's iconic alpine long walk.
Key takeaways
- Region: Tasmania, Australia
- Best season: Best: Dec – Apr
- Coordinates: -41.870, 145.980
Climate suitability
Best: Dec – Apr
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Overland Track
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
Animals around Overland Track
A traverse of Tasmania’s mountain country
The Overland Track crosses Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Its standard course runs 65 kilometres from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, linking glacial mountains, alpine plains, temperate rainforest and wild rivers. That mix of terrain defines the walk: this is a multiday traverse through several distinct environments, rather than a route built around a single summit. Most walkers travel from north to south and take five or six days. For trip planning, treat that duration as a starting point rather than a fixed schedule. Time spent on side tracks, the choice of a longer finish beside Lake St Clair, and the demands of carrying equipment all deserve room in the itinerary.
Huts and independent walking
The Overland Track can be walked independently, with six main public huts maintained by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife along the route. There are also five private huts reserved for commercial groups; independent walkers should not count those as part of their accommodation plan. A hut-based itinerary still calls for the preparation of a multiday bushwalk through mountain and rainforest country. Carry clothing and equipment suited to wet conditions and exposed alpine terrain, and plan food around the full intended journey rather than the shortest possible completion time. Before setting out, confirm current access requirements and hut arrangements with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife. Build the schedule around the walking experience and the group’s capacity, not the pace of faster parties.
Choosing extensions and side trips
The main route is only one way to shape an Overland Track journey. Continuing on foot along Lake St Clair adds an extra day and brings the total distance to 82 kilometres. Elsewhere, side tracks lead to the summits of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s tallest mountain, as well as the group of tarns known as The Labyrinth. These options give walkers a choice between extending the through-walk and making excursions away from it. Decide which additions matter most before allocating days, but keep summit plans flexible around weather, energy and the needs of the group. A five- or six-day plan for the main track should not automatically be treated as sufficient for every side trip and the longer lakeside finish.
Route options
- Standard Overland Track65 kilometres
Traverse from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair through glacial mountains, alpine plains, temperate rainforest and wild rivers. Usually walked north to south over five or six days.
- Overland Track with Lake St Clair extension82 kilometres total
Continue along Lake St Clair on foot, adding an extra day to the standard traverse. The stated distance is for the complete extended journey.
- Cradle Mountain summit side track
Add a side trip to the summit of Cradle Mountain as part of the broader Overland Track itinerary.
- Mount Ossa summit side track
Leave the main traverse for a side trip to Mount Ossa, the tallest mountain in Tasmania. Allow flexibility for mountain weather and the group’s capacity.
- The Labyrinth side track
Take a side track to The Labyrinth, a group of tarns, as an addition to the through-walk.
Sample itineraries
- Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair · 6 days
Walk the standard 65-kilometre Overland Track north to south through Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Allow six days for its glacial mountain terrain, temperate rainforest and alpine plains. Plan overnight stops around the public huts, carrying independent shelter.
- Overland Track with the lakeside extension · 7 days
Allow six days for the main track, then an extra day walking along Lake St Clair. This extends the journey to 82 kilometres. Carry food and supplies for the additional day rather than treating the lakeside section as an incidental finish.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Plan for the contrast between sheltered rainforest and exposed alpine plains. Check current mountain weather and track conditions before departure; the season alone is not a reliable guide to suitable equipment.
Summer
Summer
Do not treat warmer-season walking as a reason to leave protective layers behind. The route still crosses alpine and mountain terrain. Confirm current access arrangements with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before committing to travel.
Fall
Fall
Keep daily plans flexible around mountain weather and available daylight. Assess summit side trips separately from the main walk, and carry enough protection for exposed terrain as well as sheltered forest.
Winter
Winter
Assess cold-weather readiness carefully for this multiday mountain route. Seek current advice on track conditions and hut access from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife, and carry shelter rather than relying entirely on huts.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Plan for the contrast between sheltered rainforest and exposed alpine plains. Check current mountain weather and track conditions before departure; the season alone is not a reliable guide to suitable equipment. |
| Summer | Summer | Do not treat warmer-season walking as a reason to leave protective layers behind. The route still crosses alpine and mountain terrain. Confirm current access arrangements with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before committing to travel. |
| Fall | Fall | Keep daily plans flexible around mountain weather and available daylight. Assess summit side trips separately from the main walk, and carry enough protection for exposed terrain as well as sheltered forest. |
| Winter | Winter | Assess cold-weather readiness carefully for this multiday mountain route. Seek current advice on track conditions and hut access from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife, and carry shelter rather than relying entirely on huts. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permits, booking requirements and access arrangements with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before planning departure.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Exposed alpine plains and mountain terrain call for weather protection and conservative decisions when conditions deteriorate.
- Glacial mountain terrain and summit side trips require careful footing; do not assume a side trip has the same demands as the main track.
- Temperate rainforest can mean damp footing. Wear suitable footwear and protect essential equipment from moisture.
- Wild rivers warrant caution near banks and moving water. Do not improvise crossings.
- A five- or six-day journey requires adequate food, navigation equipment and shelter; huts should not be the only contingency.
What to pack for Overland Track
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulating layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Waterproof bags for sleeping gear and spare clothing
- Independent shelter
- Sleeping bag and mat suited to forecast conditions
- Food for the planned duration plus contingency supplies
- Water containers and treatment equipment
- Track map and compass
- Suitable walking footwear
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp and spare power
- Emergency communication equipment
Overland Track FAQ
- Where does the Overland Track go?
- It runs from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair in Tasmania, Australia. The track traverses Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
- How long is the walk?
- The standard route is 65 kilometres and usually takes five or six days. Walking the additional section along Lake St Clair brings the total to 82 kilometres and usually adds a day.
- Can the track be walked independently?
- Yes. Independent walking is possible, and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife maintains six main public huts. Five private huts are for commercial groups only. Confirm current hut arrangements before departure and carry independent shelter.
- Which direction do walkers usually take?
- Walkers usually travel north to south, from Cradle Mountain toward Lake St Clair. Confirm current direction and access requirements with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before finalising plans.
- What side trips are available?
- Side tracks lead to Cradle Mountain, Mount Ossa and The Labyrinth, a group of tarns. Mount Ossa is Tasmania’s tallest mountain. Choose side trips according to weather, available time and the group’s ability.
- What terrain should walkers expect?
- The route passes through glacial mountains, temperate rainforest and alpine plains, alongside wild rivers. Pack for both exposed and sheltered environments rather than assuming consistent conditions throughout the walk.