The Overland Track
We’ve just returned from one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse places on earth: the Tasmanian wilderness. I plan to add this walk to my growing list of Out of Town treks but with the crazy Christmas season upon us, that will have to wait. For now a brief summary in words and (mostly) pictures.
The Overland Track lies within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and traverses Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National Park. The National Park is part of the greater Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a land mass of over one million hectares. It was first listed as World Heritage in 1982 and I want to hug those responsible for its inclusion.
If you have the opportunity to do this walk, don’t hesitate. It’s not an easy walk and there is a bit of planning involved but it’s well worth the time and effort. It’s rare that you can walk such a distance without running into a road or privately owned farm. And rarer still to encounter such diversity of terrain, flora and fauna.
The walk is 65 kilometres long (plus a few opional sidetrips) and most people do it over 5-6 days either on their own or in a supervised group.
We were lucky with the weather (it can snow even in summer), and had mostly clear days with a few magical, misty mornings. And we were there to see the wildflowers at their peak which was an extra special treat.
We swam in lakes formed by glaciers and walked among centuries-old trees. We journeyed up mountain peaks and down into enchanted forests. On the plateaus and boardwalks we met some of the locals, wombats and wallabies, echidnas and a variety of birds among them.
We walked with the Tasmanian Walking Company and if it’s great guides, good food, warm showers and cosy cabins you’re after, this is the go. Highly recommended, but it comes at a cost and there are other options.
Most walkers stay in the public huts and camping grounds, carrying in food, tents and sleeping bags and anything else required. The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service has information on huts and camping and provides a comprehensive guide for planning your walk.