Overview
Cradle Mountain
Camps & Lodges
Premium
12-99 Years
12
Challenging
Fully Guided
CMH4
Itinerary
On the summit of Cradle Mountain in 1910, Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer proclaimed, “This must be a national park for the people for all time.” It's fitting our journey begins at Waldheim in Cradle Valley, where Weindorfer's story is told. We set off on the track, venturing through ancient temperate rainforest, passing the dramatic glacially-carved Crater Lake.
We climb the steepest section of the whole Overland Track today and pause for a hearty lunch. Reaching Marion's Lookout (1,250m) after negotiating steps leading through steeper sections offers a satisfying reward. Providing weather conditions allow, we enjoy staggering views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Every uphill step is worth it.
We continue around the base of Cradle Mountain along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque before dropping into Waterfall Valley. Our private hut awaits, beneath towering Barn Bluff, having completed the steepest part of your journey (excluding side trips). It's a welcome retreat after several hours walking over exposed alpine plateau where some days the wind howls – a reminder of nature's power.
Cradle Mountain guests meet at our walk base at Red Feather Inn for a 7:00am briefing. For our guests staying in Launceston, the shuttle bus pick-up is from The Chalmers Church. Please be ready in front of the church entrance at 6:30am. For those staying at Quamby Estate your shuttle to Red Feather Inn will depart from reception at 6.30am. Information about recommended accommodation options can be found in our FAQs.
Today, we'll be walking across plains where glaciers once rested, slowly moving and scouring out shallow tarns. The track provides an undulating trek with a few sections of exposed moorland and multiple hill climbs and descents.
We take our time venturing across vast button grass plains where ancient pencil pines fringe alpine tarns. Rising from the moors, the peaks of Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff are behind us. Look ahead, and the stately Mt Pelion West comes into view.
Those looking for an additional challenge today can take a side trip to Lake Will. Hugged by pencil pines and with its narrow quartzite sand rim, Lake Will is striking. Keep an eye out for gravel mounds along the way, remnants of Joseph Will's coal mining efforts in the 1890s. Further along the track, Lake Windemere offers an opportunity for an invigorating swim.
This evening, at Pine Forest Moor Hut, enjoy our outdoor dining setting with views out to Mt. Oakleigh in fine weather.
This morning, we venture through gorgeous myrtle-beech rainforest as we descend around the base of Mt Pelion West, down to the Forth River before it plunges into Lemonthyme Valley. We'll take a break at Frog Flats beside the Forth River, which happens to be the Overland Track's lowest point.
From here, it's a gentle ascent back out of the valley. We leave thick Eucalypt forest behind as the trees part to reveal Pelion Plains. Uninterrupted views of Mt Oakleigh's dolerite spires now come into play.
The Pelion Plains area offers a host of side trips, hugged by mountainous terrain. There are excellent swimming holes, peaceful nooks to rest and abandoned copper mines to explore. Come nightfall, we'll be nestled amongst dry sclerophyll forest at Pelion Plains Hut.
Today, we head east, crossing Pelion Plains and following the southern shore of Lake Ayr, mainly wandering through open eucalypt forests and across button grass plains. We then follow a gradual incline along the Innes Track before having lunch near Wurragarra Creek.
From this point, Mount Pillinger and peaks along the Overland Track dominate our view. After lunch, we pass the mirror-still waters of Lake Price before a sharp descent into the Mersey Valley near the Arm River. This is where our shuttle bus is waiting. Our return trip to the walk base at Red Feather Inn takes us through the Mole Creek Karst area and the rural township of Deloraine.
Trip Inclusions
Operator
Join us on the iconic Overland Track, retreating each evening to the only private accommodation along the trail. Read more
Guests consistently agree in their feedback that our Cradle Mountain Lodge Walk guides are our most outstanding asset. Read more
Our groups have the exclusive use of the only private hut accommodation along the Overland Track. Read more
Trip FAQ's
Our 6-day trips depart daily from 1 October through to 1 May each season, and our 4-day trips depart on selected dates during the same period.
Each trip requires a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 guests. All accommodation is twin share. If you book on as a single walker or in an odd-numbered group and the trip fills to capacity, you will share read more a room with another walker.
The minimum age for guests walking with us is 12 years old. There are no upper age restrictions, however, for guests walking with us who are 69 or above we do require a GP to sign off on a letter we provide.
Our groups have exclusive use of the only private hut accommodation along the Overland Track. Each hut has been discreetly located off the main trail and offers hot showers, a drying room and a dining read more and lounge area. The huts have 6 twin rooms with comfortable beds.
As long as you exercise regularly, are capable of walking an average of 10 km for six consecutive days, and are comfortable with varied terrain, you’ll be fine! For training ideas please refer to the read more track notes. There are obviously steep sections, however, this is part of the whole experience. Each day, there is plenty of time to sit and rest as well as explore, so you won’t feel rushed.
If you are interested in doing more of the side trips (such as Mt Ossa), you may want to partake in extra training to accommodate the additional challenge. If you are joining an 'Adventure' departure, a higher level of fitness is required, as there will be additional mountain climbs and side trips on most days.
On the morning of your departure, the guides will carry out a thorough gear check to ensure you have suitable gear and help you reduce pack weight. If you adhere to our gear list, your pack will likely read more weigh between 8.5 and 9.5 kg. With special attention to reducing pack weight, your pack and its contents can weigh as little as 7.5 kg. The pack and Gore-tex jacket that we provide have a combined weight of 2.5 kg, leaving 5- 7 kg for your personal items.
Each person must carry their lunch, wet weather gear, spare clothes for the hut, thermals, and warm clothing, plus any extras, such as a camera. For detail please refer to the gear list.
You will need lace-up hiking boots that cover the ankle and have sturdy, treaded soles (full-grain leather or Gore-tex with Vibram soles recommended). We cannot over-emphasise the importance of appropriate read more footwear. Lower-profile hiking shoes, walking shoes, running shoes, approach shoes, sandshoes, elasticised boots and similar are not acceptable.
Boots must be worn in to minimise the risk of blisters. The Overland Track is quite unique in the nature of its terrain. You will be unable to commence the walk without the appropriate footwear, so please feel free to contact us for more details. We are more than happy to discuss footwear with you.
Our guides are passionate outdoor enthusiasts, educated interpreters and fantastic cooks all rolled into one. Two (2) knowledgeable guides accompany each trip. This allows plenty of time for interpretation read more at interesting points along the track, photo opportunities, rest breaks and walking at your own pace.
The guides prepare scrumptious meals each night which are served with a selection of Tasmanian wines. We are quite happy to cater for special dietary requirements. We just need to know in advance.
For example, here is the dinner menu served at Kia Ora Hut on Day 4:
Pre and post accommodation needs to be booked independently, however details on accessing exclusive accommodation deals with Tas Walks partner hotels will be provided by your advisor once you have booked your trip.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Tasmanian Walking Company. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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