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The Tasmania Overland Track

Small Group Tour in Australia - Example 6 Day Tour
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Experience a 6-day Australia guided trek through Tasmania’s iconic Overland Track, beginning in Launceston and winding through the breathtaking Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. Traverse alpine meadows, ancient rainforests, and glacier-carved landscapes as you journey deep into the island’s remote wilderness. Climb Tasmania’s highest peak, Mount Ossa (weather permitting), swim in crystal-clear lakes, and camp under star-filled skies each night. Discover the magic of cascading waterfalls like Fergusson and Hartnett before concluding your adventure with a peaceful ferry ride across Lake St. Clair. This unforgettable backcountry experience offers solitude, beauty, and raw Tasmanian nature at its best.
Highlights
  • Hike from Waldheim to Waterfall Valley through stunning alpine terrain
  • Optionally climb Tasmania’s tallest peak, magnificent Mount Ossa
  • Witness three powerful waterfalls: Fergusson, Dalton, and Hartnett Falls
  • End journey with ferry ride across tranquil Lake St Clair
Activities
Places Visited
  • Australia
  • South Pacific
  • Bert Nichols
  • Kia Ora
  • Lake Windermere
  • Launceston
  • Oceania
  • Pelion Plains
  • Tasmania
  • Waldheim
  • Waterfall Valley
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Launceston to Waldheim | Cradle Mountain National Park to Waterfall Valley

Get picked up early in Launceston, either at the Grand Chancellor at 6:45 am or the Penny Royal at 7:00 am. Travel 2.5 hours to Waldheim, the gateway to your Overland Track adventure.

Start the trek with a steady ascent past glacial lakes and alpine tarns, leading to the Cradle Plateau. Views of Dove Lake and distant mountain ranges stretch wide beneath the sky. Cross the plateau with Cradle Mountain standing tall beside you. Reach Waterfall Valley and set up camp for the night, sleeping under stars in the heart of the Tasmanian wilderness.

Walking Distance: 10.7 km | 6.65 miles
Walking Time: 6 hours

Note: Arrive in Launceston the day before your trek begins. Please ensure to arrive on time for the mandatory pre-trip briefing that will start at 2:00 PM. This session covers essential details, gear checks, and final preparations before you head into the Tasmanian wilderness.

Day 2: Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere

After breakfast at camp, head south toward Lake Windermere for a more relaxed day on the trail. Enjoy a scenic side trip to Lake Will, named after a 19th-century coal prospector, where you can pause for a peaceful lunch and even take a swim from its sandy shores. Then, return to your packs and trek across the gently rolling buttongrass plains to your beautiful campsite. Spend the afternoon unwinding with a warm drink, soaking in the incredible views, and, if you wish, enjoying another refreshing dip in the lake.

Walking Distance: 7.8 km | 4.85 mi + side trips 
Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips

Day 3: Lake Windermere to Pelion Plains

Today is a wild day of moorlands and mountain views. Don your packs and walk across Pine Forest Moor with spectacular views across the massive Forth River Valley to the lofty heights of Mt. Oakleigh and today’s destination at its base. Descend around Mount Pelion West to a popular lunch spot at Frog Flats. After lunch, walk up through tall, lush forest onto the great expanse of Pelion Plains. You'll 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: 16.8 km | 10.44 miles
Walking Time: 7 hours

Day 4: Pelion Plains to Kia Ora

From camp, continue walking south through Myrtle forest, past tufted Pandani trees, then up to the saddle (1113 m) between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa. The location is the perfect place for a well-deserved rest. In fine weather, climbing Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617 m, is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Overland Track. With magnificent views in all directions, continue south into Pinestone Valley to the creekside campsite overlooking the grand spires of Cathedral Mountain.

Walking Distance: 8.6 km | 5.34 mi + side trips
Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Day 5: Kia Ora to Bert Nichols

Today, walk through towering rainforests of leatherwood and sassafras trees, heading towards three of Tasmania’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. The first 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. Walk up through Du Cane Gap, then descend to your campsite at Bert Nichols.

Walking Distance: 9.6 km | 5.97 mi + side trips
Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips

Day 6: Bert Nichols to Lake St Clair | Launceston | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Today, pack your backpacks for the final day on the track, which takes you through mixed eucalyptus and stands of temperate rainforest to the shore of Lake St. Clair, the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere. As you go near Lake St. Clair, gaze up to the peaks of Mt. Ida and majestic Mount Olympus. Catch a 30-minute ferry across the lake, providing spectacular views back upon the mountains you’ve walked past, and a wonderful conclusion to your Overland Track trek. After time to explore the visitor center and a celebratory lunch, board the bus for your return drive across the Central Plateau to Launceston. Return to Launceston at approximately 5 pm. Your two drop-off points in Launceston are the Grand Chancellor and the Penny Royal.

Walking Distance: 9 km | 5.59 mi
Walking Time: 4 hours

Accommodations

Tasmanian Expedition Camp

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

 Aug 2025>
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Notes

Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • 5 Nights Accommodations
  • 6 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • National Park fees
  • 5 nights camping in twin-share tents
  • 2 professional wilderness guides
  • Trek Pack: inflatable sleeping mat, 70-90L backpack, sleeping bag, inner sheet and gaiters
  • Food drop provisions along the track
  • Transport by private minibus between from/to Launceston
  • Lake St. Clair ferry passage
  • Overland Track Permit
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Travel to and from Launceston
  • Items of a personal nature - alcoholic beverages, car parking etc

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge

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