Experience Overview
Take on the challenge of Australia’s most famous trek – the Cradle Mountain Overland track – and take in some of Tasmania’s most stunning scenery. With two expert mountain guides at your side, you’ll make your way through temperate rainforest and groves of eucalypts, across alpine moors and through valleys. Skirt the edges of bright blue lakes and take in views of waterfalls and towering peaks in the distance. Camp on the edges of historic huts under star-filled skies, wake up to dramatic landscapes and take the chance to tackle side trips like summitting the island’s highest peak Mt Ossa. This active adventure is one of the best ways to take in this iconic landscape.
Highlights
- Hike along the Overland Track in Cradle Mountain and soak in the gorgeous Australian landscape in leafy Tassie.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff! With everything taken care of, you’re free to make the most of the incredible scenery as you make your way along one of Australia’s most iconic trails.
- Leave all the organisation to the experts – from tickets and permits to camping gear – and chill out in your comfortable all-season tents, with all sleeping gear and cooking equipment provided.
- Make the most of the local knowledge of two expert mountain guides along the way, and you’ll never take a wrong turn.
- Enjoy the flexibility to tackle the trek as you like – take the main track for a more leisurely hike or add on a side trip like summitting Cradle Mountain or Mt Ossa for an extra challenge.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2337
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Walking,Private vehicle,Ferry
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: PTXC
Starts: Launceston / Cradle Mountain National Park / Overland Track, Australia
Finishes: Overland Track / Lake St Clair / Launceston, Australia
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Challenging
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (6), Dinner (5)Accommodation: Bush camping (with limited facilities) (5 Nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,596 ($433 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Tasmania! Or Lutruwita in the language of the Palawa people who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Tasmania is now located. Your adventure begins straight away with a pickup at 7:30 am in Launceston. Make your way west, through picturesque scenery, to start the Overland Track at Ronny Creek in Cradle Valley. Cross a small grass plain, passing Crater Creek and Crater Lake, making your way up to Marion’s Lookout for sweeping views. See the iconic Cradle Mountain and the curved Dove Lake. The track continues past the historic Kitchen Hut, with its unusual double story design, and the shoulder of Cradle Mountain, surrounded by Tasmanian snow gums. Over 700 million years ago, the ground here was shaped by glaciers grinding through the landscape. Continue to the Cradle Cirque, passing the turnoff to Barn Bluff, and descend into Waterfall Valley, where you’ll set up camp for the night.
Included Activities:
- Overland Track - Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley Trek
- Cradle Mountain National Park - Marion's Lookout
Optional Activities:
- Cradle Mountain National Park - Cradle Mountain Summit trek - Free
Accommodation:
- Bush camping (with limited facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Waterfall Valley is, unsurprisingly, full of beautiful cascades, and you’ll pass them as the track undulates across moorlands scattered with pencil pines, myrtles and snow gums. Look out for Tasmanian Devils, echidnas and wombats – though you may see the latter’s distinctive cube shaped poop more often than the mammals themselves! For lunch, stop by Lake Will where you'll have the opportunity for a swim, before continuing to Lake Windermere in the afternoon. As you crest the moorland, you’ll get a view across Lake Windermere, whose dark colour is caused by nutrients and oils leaking from the surrounding grass into the water. Make your way around the shore of the lake to tonight’s campsite in a scattered forest.
Included Activities:
- Overland Track - Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere Trek
Accommodation:
- Bush camping (with limited facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
You’ve worked your way up to the longest hike of the trip. Begin with a walk through lightly timbered forest, across buttongrass moorlands to the lookout at Forth Gorge. In the distance the peaks of mounts Oakleigh, Ossa, Pelion East and West, as well as the Du Cane Range, pepper the horizon. Follow some small ascents and descents into the forest glade of Frog Flats – a wet section of forest crossed by the River Forth, home to some beautifully coloured mosses and fungi. Climb through forest to Pelion Plains, where the Forth Valley Track diverts off to Old Pelion Hut, built by copper miners at the end of the 19th century. For the next 20 years, cattle drovers and trappers plied their trade here, before the area was declared a scenic reserve in 1922. Continue along the shore of Douglas Creek to New Pelion Hut – the largest of the track’s huts, which sits at the junction of the Overland and Arm River tracks. You'll set up camp nearby.
Included Activities:
- Overland Track - Lake Windermere to New Pelion Hut Trek
- Cradle Mountain National Park - Forth Gorge Lookout
Accommodation:
- Bush camping (with limited facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Begin today with a gradual climb up to Pelion Gap (1126 m). Here, the track hits a crossroads with Mt Pelion to the east and towering Mt Ossa – Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617 m. If the weather’s right, there will be the option to climb either of the peaks today. Both summits boast amazing views of the national park and beyond. From the Pelion Gap crossroads, the track passes through the glaciated Pinestone Valley and on to Kia Ora Hut, which sits on a creek of the same name below the Ducane Range. Set up camp in the mighty presence of Cathedral Mountain – this is a truly unique camp spot.
Included Activities:
- Overland Track - Pelion Plains to Kia Ora Creek Trek
Optional Activities:
- Overland Track - Mt Pelion Summit - Free
- Overland Track - Mt Ossa or Mt Pelion East Summit trek - Free
Accommodation:
- Bush camping (with limited facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave Kia Ora Creek and make your way through myrtle beech rainforest to Du Cane Hut, built in 1910 out of King Billy Pine by a trapper as a base for his trade. Further down the track, you’ll take a side trip to see the falls of D’Alton, Fergusson and Hartnett, which tumble into the Mersey River. Back on the main track, the path climbs steadily to Du Cane Gap (1070 m), where Mt Geryon and the Acropolis (1471 m) of the Du Cane Range are the peaks that dominate the views. From here the track descends through eucalypt forest to Bert Nichols Hut at Windy Ridge, where you'll set up camp.
Included Activities:
- Overland Track - Kia Ora Creek to Windy Ridge Trek
Accommodation:
- Bush camping (with limited facilities) (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is the final day of the Overland Track. Leaving Windy Ridge camp, descend the valley of temperate rainforest and eucalypt forest to the Narcissus River. Pass the path, which splits off to take walkers to the base of the Du Cane Range and Pine Valley Hut – the base for access to the Acropolis and the Labyrinth. Follow the track down to a suspension bridge over the Narcissus River and the end is in sight. Give yourself a huge pat on the back and your legs a rest with a ferry ride across the lake to Cynthia Bay. Jump back in the van for the ride back to Launceston, where your trip comes to an end, arriving around 4:30 pm this afternoon.
Included Activities:
- Overland Track - Windy Ridge to Lake St Clair Trek
- Cradle Mountain National Park - Lake St Clair Ferry Ride
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
scott - Traveled, April 2025
wonderful hiking trip, i highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2025
Mary - Traveled, March 2025
This trip was perfection. Six days of pure fresh air, epic views, phone in flight mode and great company. The weather helped but even so my favourite day was the day the icy rain pelted down, and we were surrounded by nothing by cloud, button grass, thunder and lightning - what a way to feel alive. Everything we needed we had and guides were attentive and knowledgeable and there was plenty of time to enjoy the walk and the scenery.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2025
Oscar Kym - Traveled, November 2024
Senna and her team from Tasmanian Hikes were fantastic. It's a tough hike for sure but everything from the food to the guides was amazing. Highly recommended if you are after a challenging but rewarding bucket list experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2024
Richard - Traveled, November 2024
Fantastic experience - Josh & Louie were exceptional guides, food by Senna was excellent considering it all had to be carried on the trek, communication was first class, and the track lives up to its reputation. We had beautiful sunny days on top of the mountains & snow in the rainforest. Couldn't have asked for more.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2024
Stephen - Traveled, November 2024
What an amazing trip in the Tasmanian wilderness. We had a fantastic group. The coordinators Stan and Senna were terrific, really enjoyed the pre-prepared meals. And lastly the local guides Josh and Louis made the whole trip organised and memorable. Kudos!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2024
Briony - Traveled, April 2024
If you are looking for a camping adventure- this is a great trip with the best of Tasmania’s alpine country. Food was great and 6 days in the wilderness was beautiful. Pack warm in the colder months and take the hiking poles!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2024
Yuanyuan - Traveled, April 2024
My journey along Tasmania's Overland Track with Intrepid was nothing short of transformative. It ignited a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature, the richness of indigenous culture, and the importance of sustainable travel. For anyone who shares a love for nature, hiking, and authentic experiences, I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on this unforgettable adventure.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/07/2024
Danielle - Traveled, February 2025
Trip of a life time. Everything from the views, guides, group and food was sensational.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2025
Naomi - Traveled, April 2025
I had the best time doing the Overland Track in February with our guides Josh and Louis. We had mostly amazing weather, a great group of people and overall a really enjoyable experience in beautiful surroundings.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2025
Yung - Traveled, February 2025
Meeting at 2 p.m. before the official tour began and conducting a preliminary inspection was very important for the six-day tour. I think it would have been very difficult without such a preliminary inspection through Stan. As the tour began, two mountain guides led the nine-member group. I would like to express my respect to the two mountain guides, Samson and Adam. They were faithful to guiding the Overland track's optimized path. They were also amazing tour leaders who played various roles, ranging from explaining historical places, delivering extensive knowledge of animals and plants, preparing meals, and giving careful consideration to safety. It will not be easy to maximize the joy of a meal with a small amount of food ingredients in the mountains for six days. I would also like to thank Senna for setting up a diet that was the driving force behind making me go a long way with every meal. Once again, I would like to thank Intrepid's program for giving me unforgettable experiences on the Overland track for five nights and six days. P.S As a Korean, I think there will be a lot of Koreans who will like this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/17/2025
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