Cradle Mountain (Signature Walk)
Overview
The journey begins with a welcome dinner and briefing at the historic Red Feather Inn, just outside Launceston. The next morning, we set off towards Cradle Mountain, embarking on a fully guided, 42-kilometre adventure through Tasmania’s iconic wilderness to the shores of Lake St Clair—Australia’s deepest natural read more lake. Over five days, our signature experience immerses you in breathtaking landscapes, with the option to summit Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak, on Day 3. Perfect for the eager-Overlander who can’t find 6+ days.
Itinerary
Preparing for a big walk is crucial, that is why we start our 5 day Cradle Mountain Signature Walk the night before at our walker base at the historic and quaint Red Feather Inn.
Here you will meet your guides as they take you through what to expect from the next four days and conduct a gear check. After our short briefing, the night of celebration begins – Your Overland Track adventure is finally here! Get to know your fellow walkers over a dinner of local fare, cooked for you by the in-house chef and paired with local wines.
The rooms at Red Feather Inn are designed for your comfort, giving you the perfect excuse to head off to bed early and get a restful night's sleep before your early start the next day.
Approximately 6 hours of walking
After an early breakfast, we depart by bus for Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park. Entering the Wilderness World Heritage Area via the scenic Arm River Track, we wind through lush forest, cross clear streams, and pass towering eucalypts.
Today's trail offers a fresh perspective of the Overland Track, with views of Lake Price and Mount Pillinger. After a steep climb, the landscape opens to reveal the vast Pelion Plains and the dramatic dolerite spires of Mt Oakleigh. We end the day in comfort, nestled in dry sclerophyll forest at Pelion Plains Hut.
Approximately 4 hours of walking – Optional Mt Ossa Summit
We begin with a steady 300m climb through lush rainforest to Pelion Gap, a scenic plateau between Mt Pelion East and Mt Ossa. From here, you'll have the option to summit Mt Ossa—Tasmania's highest peak at 1,617m. This challenging side trip rewards with breathtaking 360-degree views.
Prefer something gentler? Explore the Japanese Gardens on Mt Doris instead. After Pelion Gap, it's a relaxing two-hour descent to Kia Ora Hut. Unwind with a Tasmanian drop and soak in views across to Cathedral Mountain.
Approximately 5 hours of walking
Today is all about waterfalls and ancient wilderness. After leaving Kia Ora Hut, we walk for about an hour to Du Cane Hut, a rustic relic from the early 1900s, nestled beneath the dramatic Du Cane Range.
From here, the trail winds through some of the National Park's oldest forest, where towering King Billy pines—some over 2,000 years old—stand sentinel. Above the Mersey River, we follow the terrain as it tumbles toward Bass Strait, carving deep cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
Approximately 5 hours of walking
Our final day leads us to Lake St Clair—Australia's deepest natural lake, shaped by glaciations over two million years ago. The trail winds through flowering dry sclerophyll forest, with birdsong guiding us to Narcissus Bay at the lake's northern edge.
After lunch, we board a spectacular 17km cruise across the lake to Cynthia Bay, taking in the last views of this remarkable wilderness. The return trip to Red Feather Inn is through the trout fishing mecca of the highland lakes, descending the rugged Western Tiers.
Trip Inclusions
- Return transfers between Red Feather Inn and the start/finish of the walk
- Optional drop off at Launceston airport and central Launceston CBD on day 5
- Accommodation and dinner the night before commencing your walk at Red Feather Inn.
- Accommodation (twin share) each evening on track in one of our private huts along the track.
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages, plus a limited selection of Tasmanian wines
- National Park and Overland Track passes
- Boat transfer across Lake St Clair (on Day 5 only)
- Use of a backpack and Gore-tex jacket for the duration of the walk
- Sleeping bags, pillows and a comfortable mattress at each hut
- Sleeping sheet and pillowcase to carry with you
- Two qualified guides for the duration of the walk
- Tasmanian Walking Co's Track Notes list everything you need to prepare and get excited about your adventure, all in one document. From pickup times to gear lists, daily distances to accommodation details, this is your Cradle Mountain (Signature Walk) go-to-guide.
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 FAQs
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.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
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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