The Overland Track Challenge

Cradle Mountain | Ashton Sayer

Hikers taking in the breathtaking views of Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair | Peter Walton

Trekkers walking along the boardwalk on the Overland Track | Great Walks of Australia

Code: SOG6613

Overview

Highlights

Walk Australia's internationally famous Overland Track
Explore deep forests, sub-alpine plateaus and spectacular highland landscapes
End each day at scenic campsites in the remote wilderness
Summit Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt Ossa
Enjoy close encounters with native animals, birds and stunning endemic plants

The Overland Track holds legendary status as one of the finest walks in Australia.

Walking from north to south over six days we cover the highest area of Tasmania, from the epic craggy spires of Cradle Mountain to the rainforest-clad shores of the deepest natural lake in the Southern Hemisphere, Lake St Clair. The World Heritage listed landscape is truly breathtaking and will leave you enchanted, inspired and feeling completely connected. With each day and every step, the scenery on the trail varies dramatically taking you through ancient Myrtle forest, glaciated dolerite landscapes, past plateaus covered in sparkling tarns and lakes and to Tasmania's highest peak Mt Ossa. You will have up close encounters with the unique and endemic animals that call this wonderful area home.

This full pack expedition is supported with food drops and modern equipment. Your professional guides will ensure your expedition is as safe as possible, not to mention immensely memorable and enjoyable, providing support and care and bringing the track to life with their local knowledge and enthusiasm for the Tasmanian wilderness.

Countries:

Activities:

Grading:Moderate

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive in Launceston

Welcome to Tasmania! You will be met at Launceston Airport and transferred to a group briefing allocation after which you will be taken to your accommodation.

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Launceston to Cradle Mountain National Park, walk Waldheim to Waterfall Valley

We pick you up from your Launceston accommodation between 7-7.30am and 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 Cradle Plateau where we are rewarded with views of Dove Lake and an endless horizon of impressive mountain ranges. After lunch, weather and time permitting, we may opt for a side trip to the craggy summit of Cradle Mountain before making our way to Waterfall Valley for our first night under the stars. Walking Distance: 13.5 km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere

After breakfast at our campsite we continue south to Lake Windermere. A leisurely day that offers time for a side trip to Lake Will – named after a coal prospector in the 1800s. There is opportunity to have a relaxing lunch and swim from the sandy shores of Lake Will. Returning to our packs we head back across the rolling buttongrass plains to our stunning campsite. We spend the afternoon kicking back with a hot drink taking in the fabulous views from camp, and perhaps having another refreshing swim. Walking Distance: 8km + side trips | Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Lake Windermere to Pelion Hut

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

Day 5
Pelion Plains to Kia Ora

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 campsite overlooking the grand spires of Cathedral Mountain. Walking Distance: 9km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Kia Ora to Bert Nichols

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 campsite at Bert Nichols. Walking Distance: 10km + side trips | Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Bert Nichols to Lake St Clair and return to Launceston

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 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. You will be dropped off at your Launceston accommodation at approximately 5pm. Walking Distance: 9km | Walking Time: 3 hours

Meals: B,L

Day 8
Depart Launceston.

This morning the group will be transferred to Launceston Airport for their outbound flights.

Meals: B

Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.

Inclusions

What's included

2 professional wilderness guides
2 teacher places Free of charge
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners snacks and hot drinks
Food drop provisions along the track
Transport by private minibus
Lake St. Clair ferry passage
National Park fees
Overland Track Permit
Tent, backpack and gaiters
Sleeping bag, inner sheet & inflatable sleeping mat
Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
Emergency communications & group first aid kit
Accommodation in Launceston

What's not included

Items of a personal nature - snacks, souvenirs, etc.
Travel Insurance

Grading

Moderate

This adventure involves an average of 8 hours of purposeful effort a day, carrying a full trekking backpack. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions is also recommended to prepare your mind and body to maximise your comfort whilst on The Overland Track. Your practice expedition should be a reflection of the the Overland Track Gold Qualifying Expedition.

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