Itineraries
Ideally, you want to choose an itinerary that helps you and your group get the most out of walking the Overland Track. Set a walking pace and itinerary that lets you do all the things you want to do. Do you like a relaxed pace, walking big days, exploring side trips, early morning photography, or swimming in every lake? Try to avoid rushing your time to make it fit something else, but life happens so make it work the best it can. Remember to walk your own walk, there is no right or wrong pace.
The longer your trip the more food you will need to carry, so for longer trips spend a bit more time ensuring your gear and supplies are as light as possible.
Walking times vary greatly depending on your fitness, health, weather, motivation and other things going on around you. The walking time estimates do not include rest time and assume a reasonable level of fitness and mostly clear conditions.
Always allow for extra time in case of extreme weather, injury, illness or other delays. Always be prepared with your bookings and supplies to spend an extra day on track. It is rare for people (especially in the warmer months) to be forced to extend their trip, but be prepared.
Even during the fee-based booking season, you can move at whatever pace you wish, you can stay a few days at one campsite or do a double hut (skip a hut) day. During fee-based booking season, you do need to aim to get to Waterfall Valley (or beyond) on the day you have booked.
(4 Days) Fast pace
If you are fit and an experienced multiday bushwalker who either likes to move quickly or is short on time then this might be a good itinerary for you. You will need to have a light pack and be walking in the summertime with a fairly clear weather forecast. Day 1 is a big day, with some big hills, an early start is needed. Day three is kept short to give you a chance to climb a peak or two as a side trip.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Windermere (6-10 hrs, 18.3 km).
Optional side trip to
Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km), or
Barn Bluff (3-4 hrs, 6.2 km return from the track intersection)
You will need an early start, be fast and have clear weather to actually get one of these side trips in.
Day 2) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Get in early so you have time to check out the Old Pelion Hut and explore the Pelion area.
Day 3) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Doris (1 hr, 2.2 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 4) Kia Ora → Narcissus (6-9 hrs, 19.8 km).
Optional Waterfall side trips.
You will need an early start and to keep moving if you plan to catch the 3:45pm ferry.
(5 Days) Fairly common
A fairly common pace for those with a shortish time table, but this does means a big last day. You still get to focus on the iconic sections of the Overland Track. You will likely miss some lovely waterfalls and feel a bit rushed towards the end, but this pace seems to work for many people.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley (4-6 hrs, 10.8 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Waterfall Valley → Windermere (2.5 - 3.5 hrs, 7.7 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (4-5 hrs, 9.6 km return from Waterfall Valley), OR
Lake Will (1-3 hrs, 1-5 km return, depending on how far along the lake you go).
Day 3) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 4) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Doris (1 hr, 2.2 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 5) Kia Ora → Narcissus (6-9 hrs, 19.8 km).
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), or
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
You will need an early start and to keep moving if you plan to catch the 3:45pm ferry. Otherwise you can stay at Narcissus and get the first ferry the next day, saves you rushing.
(5-6 Days) Whilst Waterfall Valley is Closed
In the summer of 2019/2020 Parks Tasmania will be upgrading the facilities and hut at Waterfall Valley (between November 2019 and May 2020). During this time the whole Waterfall Valley precinct is closed (no camping, using the hut or toilet). Do not fret, it is still worth walking the Overland Track. This 5 day makes day 1 a big day and skips Waterfall Valley so you will need to be a fit and an experienced walker (with clear weather) to attempt this (the next plan uses an alternative hut and will better suit most people).
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Windermere (6-10 hrs, 18.3 km)
Optional side trip to
Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km), or
Barn Bluff (3-4 hrs, 6.2 km return from the track intersection)
You will need an early start, be fast and have clear weather to actually get one of these side trips in.
Day 2) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km)
Get in early so you have time to check out the Old Pelion Hut and explore the Pelion area.
Day 3) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km)
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Doris (1 hr, 2.2 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 4) Kia Ora → Windy Ridge (3.5-4.5 hrs, 9.6 km)
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), or
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
Day 5) Windy Ridge → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 10.2 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 6) Narcissus → Cynthia Bay (5-6 hrs, 17 km)
OR
Day 5) Windy Ridge → Echo Point (5-6 hrs, 16.5 km)
Day 6) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km).
(6-7 Days) Recommended whilst Waterfall Valley is Closed
In the summer of 2019/2020 Parks Tasmania will be upgrading the facilities and hut at Waterfall Valley (between November 2019 and May 2020). During this time the whole Waterfall Valley precinct is closed (no camping, using the hut or toilet). Do not fret, it is still worth walking the Overland Track. This itinerary allows you to follow as close to the most common pace people normally do the Overland Track. The main difference is that night one is a Scott-Kilvert Hut beside Lake Rodway. There is a large uphill section between Scott-Kilvert Hut and rejoining the Overland Track, just take your time.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Lake Rodway (4-6 hrs, 10.5 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Lake Rodway → Windermere (4-6 hrs, 12 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (3-4 hrs, 6.2 km return from the track intersection), or
Lake Will (1-3 hrs, 1-5 km return, depending on how far along the lake you go).
Day 3) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 4) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Doris (1 hr, 2.2 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 5) Kia Ora → Windy Ridge (3.5-4.5 hrs, 9.6 km)
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), or
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km return from track intersection).
Day 6) Windy Ridge → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 10.2 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 7) Narcissus → Cynthia Bay (5-6 hrs, 17 km)
OR
Day 6) Windy Ridge → Echo Point (5-6 hrs, 16.5 km)
Day 7) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km)
(6-7 Days) Most popular Itinerary
The six-day version seems to be the most common itinerary for people to walk in the warmer months. You keep moving each day staying in or near all the camping huts. This pace gives you time to do a good number of side trips.
6 days means you catch the ferry across Lake St Clair, this again seems to be the most common option. The 7th optional day allows you to walk the lake and complete the full length of the formal Overland Track, it is a nice way to finish.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley (4-6 hrs, 10.8 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Waterfall Valley → Windermere (2.5 - 3.5 hrs, 7.7 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (4-5 hrs, 9.6 km return from Waterfall Valley), OR
Lake Will (1-3 hrs, 1-5 km return, depending on how far along the lake you go).
Day 3) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 4) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Doris (1 hr, 2.2 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 5) Kia Ora → Windy Ridge (3.5-4.5 hrs, 9.6 km)
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), or
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
Day 6) Windy Ridge → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 10.2 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 7) Narcissus → Cynthia Bay (5-6 hrs, 17 km)
OR
Day 6) Windy Ridge → Echo Point (5-6 hrs, 16.5 km)
Day 7) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km)
(7,9 Days) Shortest days
If walking around 10km a day is ideal for you then this 7 or 9-day itinerary will look appealing. Some of these days have significant hills and some are flatter but each day is under 11km. If you are someone who fatigues easier then most or just want to have a lazy trip this could be the option for you. You will camp near (or stay in) all the huts, but the night at Frog Flats has no hut or any camping facilities.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley (4-6 hrs, 10.8 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Waterfall Valley → Windermere (2.5 - 3.5 hrs, 7.7 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (4-5 hrs, 9.6 km return from Waterfall Valley), OR
Lake Will (1-3 hrs, 1-5 km return, depending on how far along the lake you go).
Day 3) Windermere → Frog Flats (3-5 hrs, 10.9 km).
No hut, toilet or other facilities at Frog Flats. You can camp using your tent in the valley.
Day 4) Frog Flats → Pelion (1-2 hrs, 4.4 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 5) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Doris (1 hr, 2.2 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 6) Kia Ora → Windy Ridge (3.5-4.5 hrs, 9.6 km)
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), or
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
Day 7) Windy Ridge → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 10.2 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 8) Narcissus → Echo Point (1-2 hrs, 6.3 km)
Day 9) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km)
(7-8 Days) Peak Baggers
Do you want to spend about a week on the Overland Track and want to climb some mountains? This itinerary gives you time to explore the popular side trips to the main peaks and waterfalls. You will have time to swim and soak up many of the amazing side trips the Overland Track has on offer.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley (4-6 hrs, 10.8 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Waterfall Valley → Windermere (2.5 - 3.5 hrs, 7.7 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (4-5 hrs, 9.6 km return from Waterfall Valley), or
Lake Will (1-3 hrs, 1-5 km return, depending on how far along the lake you go).
Day 3) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 4) Stay at Pelion
Day trip to Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut)
Day 5) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), and/or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
(will need an early start and clear weather to get both side trips in)
Day 6) Kia Ora → Windy Ridge (3.5-4.5 hrs, 9.6 km)
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), and
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
Day 7) Windy Ridge → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 10.2 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 8) Narcissus → Cynthia Bay (5-6 hrs, 17 km)
OR
Day 7) Windy Ridge → Echo Point (5-6 hrs, 16.5 km)
Day 8) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km)
(7-8 Days) Including Pine Valley
Pine Valley is home to a mossy rainforest in a glacially carved valley off the southern end of the Overland Track. It is technically not part of the Overland Track but is a magical place worth visiting. Day 5 is a big day, but if you are pressed for time and want to see Pine Valley this is a good pace - get going early on Day 5.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley (4-6 hrs, 10.8 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Waterfall Valley → Windermere (2.5 - 3.5 hrs, 7.7 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (4-5 hrs, 9.6 km return from Waterfall Valley), or
Lake Will (1-3 hrs, 1-5 km return, depending on how far along the lake you go).
Day 3) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 4) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut), or
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 5) Kia Ora → Pine Valley (7-9 hrs, 20.1 km)
Double hut day
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), and
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
Day 6) Stay at Pine Valley
Day trip to
Acropolis (5-6 hrs, 8km return from Pine Valley Hut), or
Labyrinth Lookout (3-5 hrs, 7 km return from Pine Valley Hut)
(Both Acropolis and Labyrinth are very exposed to extreme weather, only attempt in clear conditions). Consider doing one on the morning of day 7 with an early start)
Day 7) Pine Valley → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 9.3 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 7) Pine Valley → Echo Point (5-6 hrs, 15.6 km)
Day 8) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km)
(9-10 Days) Climb every mountain
If you are a peak bagger with plenty of time you will love this itinerary. Technically you will not climb every mountain, but you will get the chance to climb all the key ones. These peaks require clear weather to climb, so this gives you some flexibility to maximise your chance of exploring as many side trips as possible.
Day 1) Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley (4-6 hrs, 10.8 km).
Optional side trip to Cradle Mountain (2-3 hrs, 2.1 km)
Day 2) Waterfall Valley → Windermere (2.5 - 3.5 hrs, 7.7 km).
Optional side trip to
Barn Bluff (4-5 hrs, 9.6 km return from Waterfall Valley)
Day 3) Windermere → Pelion (5-7 hrs, 15.2 km).
Optional side trip to
Old Pelion Hut, from track intersection (30 mins, 900m return), or
Old Pelion Hut, from new Pelion Hut (1 hr, 2.7km return)
Day 4) Stay at Pelion
Day trip to Mount Oakleigh (4-6 hrs, 8 km, return from New Pelion Hut)
Day 5) Pelion → Kia Ora (3-4 hrs, 8.5 km).
Optional side trip to
Mount Ossa (4-5 hrs, 5.4 km, return from Pelion Gap), and/or
Mount Pelion East (2 hrs, 2.6 km, return from Pelion Gap).
Day 6) Kia Ora → Windy Ridge (3.5-4.5 hrs, 9.6 km)
Optional side trip to
D’Alton Falls u0026amp; Fergusson Falls (1 hr, 1.2 km return from track intersection), and
Hartnett Falls (1 hr, 1.4 km).
Day 7) Windy Ridge → Pine Valley (3-4 hrs, 10.5 km)
Side trip to Labyrinth Lookout (3-5 hrs, 7 km return from Pine Valley Hut)
Day 8) Stay at Pine Valley
Day trip to Acropolis (5-6 hrs, 8km return from Pine Valley Hut)
(Both Acropolis and Labyrinth are very exposed to extreme weather, only attempt in clear conditions)
Day 9) Pine Valley → Narcissus (3-4 hrs, 9.3 km)
Ferry to Cynthia Bay.
Optional
Day 9) Pine Valley → Echo Point (5-6 hrs, 15.6 km)
Day 10) Echo Point → Cynthia Bay (3-4 hrs, 10.7 km)
When to walk the Overland Track