Overland Track
About this walking route
The Overland Track is Tasmania's most celebrated alpine walk, a 65 km traverse from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair across six days. This challenging route crosses buttongrass plains, temperate rainforest and dolerite ridges, ascending and descending repeatedly through landscapes shaped by glaciation. Walkers experience true Tasmanian wilderness: exposed moorland, mountain streams, alpine huts and the raw weather that defines the island's high country. The walk is one-way, heavily booked and operates seasonally; it demands fitness, self-sufficiency and respect for rapidly changing conditions.
Highlights
- Cradle Mountain's dolerite peak and views south from saddle
- Buttongrass moorland and button-grass plains ecology
- Rainforest gullies and creek crossings through temperate forest
- Alpine huts and camp shelters spaced along the route
- Lake St Clair's southern arrival and glacial scenery
- Exposure to subalpine weather and isolation
What to expect
The track alternates between open moorland, dense rainforest and rocky ridges. Gradients are steep in places; terrain ranges from boardwalked buttongrass to muddy forest floor to dolerite scramble. Weather is the defining challenge—expect sudden cold, wind, rain and occasional snow even in summer. Days are long and hard, with significant elevation gain and loss. Huts offer shelter but demand is high and sites fill quickly. This is a remote, self-reliant walk with no easy exit once you begin.
Good to know
Walk during the December–May season; winter and shoulder months are dangerous. Book months ahead through the managing park authority; permits are limited. The walk is one-way; arrange northbound transport from Cradle Mountain and southbound shuttle from Lake St Clair. Fitness and bushwalking experience are essential. Water is available from streams; purify it. Carry a warm layer, waterproof gear and a headtorch. Leave no trace and respect the fragile alpine ecosystem.