Adventurous Women have teamed up with local expert company On Track Expeditions to provide you the opportunity to hike on Australia's premier alpine walk, The Overland Track in Tasmania. World-renowned for it's pristine environment and beauty, this walk is listed by the Lonely Planet as one of the best in the world and we're lucky enough to have it in our own backyard!
Throughout this exhilarating and life-changing "women only" journey, you will be provided with all the support and encouragement you need to tackle this challenging (but doable) 65km, 6 day hike. Beginning at iconic Cradle Mountain and ending at Australia's picturesque Lake St Clair, the track meanders through a variety of terrain ranging from sheer mountains, temperate rainforest, wild rivers, and alpine plains all in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Whilst walking, our guides will inform you of several optional side excursions, including to the summits of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa, the highest peak in Tasmania. Upon reaching the end of this adventure, you will be transported by small ferry over Lake St Claire – The deepest lake in Australia!
Overview of the trip:
Day 1: Arrive Launceston, welcome dinner and overnight
Day 2: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley
Day 3: Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere
Day 4: Lake Windermere to Pelion
Day 5: Pelion to Kia Ora
Day 6: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge
Day 7: Windy Ridge to Lake St Clair to Launceston
Day 8: Depart Launceston, farewells. (Personal onward travel)
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Launceston Hotel (Twin Share Room)
The first half an our of your journey on the Overland Track is on boardwalk, across the button grass moorland where you may spot the odd wombat or two! The track soon rises and passes beside Crater Falls, then follows beside Crater Lake. You'll rest and replenish here before you tackle Marions Lookout (1250m) – the steepest section of the Overland Track.
For the next 5km you will enjoy sweeping views across the glacial landscape as you walk beside the base of Cradle Mountain, before steadily descending into spectacular Waterfall Valley to the huts and campsites. Once there, you can feel proud that you’ve just completed what many regard as the most difficult day on the track – Day 1 of your Overland journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)
Windermere Hut is just beyond the lake, at the edge of a myrtle forest. Tent platforms are located either side of the hut, amongst gnarly snow peppermints and graceful pandanis, with Lake Windermere visible in the distance. Enjoy a refreshing mountain lake swim on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)
From Frog Flats it’s a gradual walk up through more rainforest before breaking out into the open eucalypt forest on the edge of Pelion Plains. The spacious Pelion Hut is set on the edge of picturesque button-grass plains, with the spectacular dolerite spires of Mt Oakleigh framing the view to the north.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)
If the weather and time allows, you may choose to attempt to summit Tasmania’s highest peak (Mt Ossa-1617m) or the slightly lower Mt Pelion East by leaving your main pack at the junction and carrying a day pack with all the equipment and supplies required as per advice of your guides. Good views can also be had by climbing to the saddle between Mt Doris and Mt Ossa. The gradual descent from Pelion Gap to Kia Ora Hut through beautiful Pinestone Valley with views to your left of Cathedral Mountain, is a favourite part of the track for many. After arriving at Kia Ora, you’ll find the delightful Kia Ora Creek just beyond the hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)
A little further on, you’ll come to the track junction marking the side trip down to see D’Alton and Fergusson Falls – the latter named after Ranger “Fergy†– the first ranger in the south end of the park. Hartnett Falls – the tallest of the three – is a little further on, o another track junction. You can leave your pack at the track junctions to explore the falls. They’re all well worth a visit. Back on the main track, you’ll swing west and begin a gradual climb to Du Cane Gap – the saddle between the Traveller Range and the Du Cane Range.
When you cross over the gap and start a steep descent, you’ll be entering the bowl-like cirque of the Du Cane Range, sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago. Once the canopy starts to open out and eucalypts begin to appear, you’re close to camp: Windy Ridge and Bert Nichols Hut – a stunning location almost totally encircled by the spectacular Du Cane Range.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)
As you near Narcissus River, the dolerite columns of Mount Olympus form a dramatic backdrop to the golden glow of button-grass moorland. The comfortable duckboard track, which protects the boggy peat soils, is a welcome change, allowing you to stroll along, savouring the view, instead of constantly watching your feet. Crossing the Narcissus River is exciting – it’s the only suspension bridge on the Overland Track. A little further on, you’ll find the small and rustic Narcissus Hut on the banks of the Narcissus River.
We then catch the ferry down Lake St Clair and where you can FINALLY take off your pack and your boots and celebrate your remarkable
achievement! Upon arrival you will have a chance to check out the visitor’s centre, order something to eat and buy souvenirs, from here you will be driven back to Launceston for a celebratory dinner and good night rest in a hotel!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Launceston Hotel (Twin Share Room)
Meals: Breakfast
We will have a rotating roster whereby you will share both a hotel room when in Launceston and a tent when on the Overland Track with another lady from the group, unless you're travelling with a friend or family.
The platforms the tents are erected on are limited as are numbers on this track, so we cannot provide a single tent on this trip.
There is only a single supplement available at the hotel in Launceston for an additional charge (approx $100 per night)
This hike is rated as MEDIUM to HARD and you will be required to carry your own gear while hiking, however there is a food drop half way along and you will be provided with information on what to pack and what you won't need to pack.
This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller ... it's camping, camp food, tents, full pack hiking. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience' (Once in a Lifetime)! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude and be willing to work together as part of a team to support one another through the physical and emotional challenges that may arise from participating in this style of hike.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions as per our partnering tour company On Track Expeditions:
If you cancel some or all portions of your booking cancellation fees will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip:
