5
Moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • 7 days trekking/snowshoeing with a full pack
Accommodation
  • 6 nights camping
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 7 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts

7 Days$2995AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: CMS

Trip highlights

  • Walk and snowshoe on Australia's internationally famous Overland Track
  • Explore deep forests, sub-alpine plateaus, high peaks and spectacular highland landscapes
  • End each day at scenic campsites with delicious meals prepared by your guides
  • Enjoy close encounters with the local wildlife and amazing endemic wildflowers
  • Experience the peace and wonder that descends upon the Overland Track during the winter off-season
  • Learn of the area's fascinating history
  • A full contingency day factored into the itinerary

During winter the high peaks along the Overland Track receive a generous dusting of snow, turning the Cradle Mountain National Park into a winter wonderland. Walking the Overland Track during winter is a very different experience to summer and offers a more serene and tranquil environment. The trail is much quieter, the lakes are frozen and the snow ensures the surrounding landscapes provide unique photographic opportunities. Fit and hardy walkers who are prepared to camp during winter and carry a full pack will truly enjoy this unforgettable winter trek along the graded trail through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Our winter itinerary is designed to allow you to fully appreciate the parks many highlights along the track and also includes a few side trips along the way. Food drops and a lightweight tent will keep your backpacks as light as possible while your experienced guides will help bring the track to life and teach first time snowshoers the finer points of this popular style of alpine travel.

Activities:

Itinerary

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On the morning of Day 1 you will be collected from the Grand Chancellor at 7:45am or from the Penny Royal at 8:00am. We then drive 2.5 hours to Waldheim, ‘forest home’, where our Overland Track trek begins. The morning is spent walking up past lakes and tarns to the top of the alpine Cradle Plateau where (weather permitting!) we are rewarded with views of Dove Lake and an endless horizon of impressive mountain ranges. We will pass below the summit of wulinantikala/Cradle Mountain along the way however we do not intend to attempt to climb this summit as expected winter conditions are too icy. Tonight we stay at Waterfall Valley. Walking Distance: 10km| Walking Time: 5 hours. *You will need to arrive in Launceston the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 2:00pm pre-trip briefing.

Meals:  L,D

Today we continue south from Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere. A leisurely day that offers time for a side trip past the diggings of Joseph Will a coal prospector in the 1800’s to Innes Falls. At Lake Will we will have the opportunity for a relaxing lunch on its sandy shores. Returning to our packs we head back across the rolling button grass plains towards our camp at Lake Windermere. We spend the afternoon relaxing around Windermere Hut and taking in the fabulous views. Walking Distance: 8km + side trips | Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a wild day of moorlands and mountain views. We don our packs and walk across Pine Forest Moor with spectacular views across the massive Forth River Valley to the lofty heights of Mt Oakleigh and to today’s destination at its base. We descend around Mount Pelion West to a popular lunch spot at Frog Flats. After lunch we walk up through tall, lush forest onto the great expanse of Pelion Plains. We have the option of a short side trip to Old Pelion Hut to gain a deeper appreciation of the park’s rich history. Walking Distance: 17km | Walking Time: 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

We will allow a full day in the itinerary as a contingency to be used in case of bad weather. We recommend bringing a pack of cards or a good book as a necessary aspect of winter adventure is often sitting out the worst of the weather and enjoying some warmth and conversation in one of the huts! If we don't need to use this contingency day to avoid the weather we can use the day to enjoy some of the extraordinary side trips along the Overland Track

Meals:  B,L,D

From camp we continue walking south through Myrtle forest, past tufted Pandani trees, then up to the saddle (1113m) between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa. This is the perfect place for a well deserved rest. In fine weather climbing Mount Ossa – Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617m – is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Overland Track. With magnificent views in all directions we continue south into Pinestone Valley to our creek-side camp overlooking the grand spires of Cathedral Mountain. Walking Distance: 9km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we walk through towering rainforests of Leatherwood and Sassafrass trees, heading towards three of Tasmania’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. The first we visit is Fergusson Falls, named after a former ranger at Lake St Clair, followed by Dalton Falls. The third of these enchanting falls is the spectacular Hartnett Falls, named after Paddy Hartnett, an eccentric Irish bushman who was rarely seen without his bowler hat. We walk up through Du Cane Gap then descend to our camp at Bert Nichols. Walking Distance: 10km + side trips | Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we pack our backpacks for the final day on the track, which takes us through mixed eucalyptus and stands of temperate rainforest to the shore of Lake St Clair, the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere. As we near liyawulina/Lake St Clair we can gaze up to the peaks of Mt Ida and majestic Mount Olympus. We catch a 30 minute ferry across the lake, providing spectacular views back upon the mountains we’ve walked past, and a wonderful conclusion to our Overland Track trek. After time to explore the visitor centre and a celebratory lunch, we board the bus for our return drive across the Central Plateau to Launceston. We will return to Launcestion at approximately 5pm, our two drop-off points in Launceston are the Grand Chancellor and the Penny Royal. Walking Distance: 9km | Walking Time: 3 hours

Meals:  B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 2 professional wilderness guides
  • 6 nights camping
  • 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners, snacks & hot drinks
  • Transport by private minibus
  • Lake St. Clair ferry passage
  • National Park fees
  • Overland Track Permit
  • Waterproof jacket, overpants, snow shoes & gaiters
  • Tent, backpack, sleeping bag, inner sheet & inflatable sleeping mat
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit

  • Travel before and after the trip commences
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature: alcoholic beverages, car parking etc
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation

Wilderness Camping or Public Cabins

Each of 6 nights of the tour will be spent camping along the track at designated commercial campsite areas. These areas have timber platforms for our tents to be pitched on and nearby rainwater tanks and composting toilet facilities. During winter we may choose to use the public cabins along the track if weather conditions are particularly severe.

Suitability

Moderate

5

This adventure involves trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. You carry a full pack approx. 14-18kg that fluctuates throughout the week as we trek between food drops. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Walks can be steep in sections, and some ascents may involve sections of scrambling. Walking in snowy conditions can make the walking harder, taking the trip grading towards moderate to challenging. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weight (up to 18kgs). You should walk regularly with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best preparation for your trek is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions.

Departure dates


Notes

DN1
A high season supplement applies for any trip that overlaps a public holiday.

Priceper person from

$2995AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Tent SupplementAUD$50
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Overland Track Winter Trek trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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You will need to have a good level of fitness for the Overland Track Winter Trek. You will be trekking in remote areas for up to 6 to 7 hours a day. You will be walking with a full pack (up to 18kg). You will need the mental fitness to walk through cold and potentially very snowy conditions. If you have any questions about your suitability please give us a call and speak with one of our staff members. We are more than happy to discuss additional information about what you can expect.

We suggest asking your pre/post tour accommodation about car parking or there are secure carparks in Launceston where you can pre-book a spot.

As the Overland Track is renowned as being a true wilderness walk, you cannot expect phone reception while on the trail. For trekkers who summit Mount Ossa and Cradle Mountain, there is sometimes sporadic phone reception. However, this cannot be relied upon. Our guides carry emergency satellite phones which allow them to communicate with our base in Launceston if any emergencies arise. Rest assured you are not completely alone in the wilderness.

This trek commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing at 2pm on the day before departure. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing and that you bring along all of the gear/clothing required for your expedition with you.

For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 75-90litres in capacity. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be between 14-18kg.

Unfortunately there are no charging facilities at any of the huts along the Overland Track. We recommend bringing extra batteries or solar chargers for your phones. To conserve battery power on your mobile devices, turn your phones into flight mode.

You can either leave your excess luggage at the hotel that you stay at the night prior to the trip beginning, or alternatively, we can store it for you at our office in Launceston.

You will be returned to your accommodation at approximately 5pm on the final day of the trek.

Yes, you will be provided with all of your gear for the trek at the briefing and pack your backpack and leave it with the guides for Day 1 of the trip

We highly recommend that you have high cut hiking boots for this trail. There are lots of slippery tree roots in the rainforest areas, so ankle support will be beneficial. Also, you may encounter mud along the way, so if they are waterproof, you will hopefully have nice dry feet at the end of the day.

Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability in mud or slippery tree roots. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them before you head out on the hike.

The day pack that we recommend for the Overland Track should be a small compressible day pack that folds down to as small as your hand if not smaller. This is only to be used when you do side trips, as you will leave your 70-90L backpack at the trail head and return to it after the side trip. It is not mandatory that you have the day pack, but we find that it is convenient to have one. An example of what we suggest for a daypack is the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack

Unfortunately there are no shower facilities on the camping expeditions along the Overland Track. For those who are concerned about washing, the closest you’ll come to a bath are the alpine lakes that are accessible each day, where you can have a quick refreshing dip. However, for a real cleanse we recommend you bring baby wipes (remember to take them out with you as well!).

Tasmania prides itself on clean pure water and most of the water along the track is safe to drink without purifying. Fresh rainwater tanks supplied by Parks and Wildlife can be found at each of the campsites, and you can also fill up your water bottle at many of the springs along the way.

You’d be surprised how much food you’ll eat after a day’s trekking along the Overland Track. Our guides are experienced when it comes to preparing meals along the Overland Track. Thanks to a food drop, we are able to have fresh produce every night along the trail. Lunches usually consist of vegetable wraps with hams, chicken or salami, while evening meals can vary from curries, stroganoff and pastas. Deserts include improvised apple pie, and even a chocolate mousse if you’re lucky! Start your day with a hearty porridge or muesli, with snacks throughout the day including fruit and nuts, muesli bars and some fruit. As this is a full pack adventure, each trekker is required to carry a portion of the group’s food, whether it be a couple of cucumbers, lettuce heads or a bag of pasta. All types of dietary requirements are catered for, including vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free, nut free etc.

The terrain is rugged and remote. Tracks may be rough and steep in sections. Over the trip you will walk along boardwalks, up and down steps, through overgrown forests, through muddy sections and if you choose some of the side trips you will scramble over rocks. Snowy conditions will make the walking more challenging.

Trip reviews

Videos

The Overland Track with Tasmanian Expeditions

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.