Cradle Mountain Overland Track 6 Day Tour

• Get up to $90 cash back per person when you book with us 
• An epic trek on the Overland Track through Tasmania’s most breathtaking scenery!
• Make your way across one of Australia’s most iconic hiking trails
• 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
• Private vehicle, walking, and ferry ride
• Camping for 5 nights
• Tickets, permits, and comfortable all-season tents included
• Local knowledge of two expert mountain guides 
• Flexibility to tackle the trek as you like – the main track for a leisurely hike, or add summitting Cradle Mountain or Mt Ossa for an extra challenge

Where We Visit:

• Launceston
• Ronny Creek
• Waterfall Valley
• Lake Windermere
• Pelion Hut
• Pelion Gap
• Kia Ora Hut
• Du Cane Gap
• Windy Ridge Hut
• Narcissus River

• Backpack, rainwear, sleeping bag and sleeping mat – all these items are essential for this trip and can be hired locally (at $20 per item) if you do not wish to bring your own. Speak to your travel consultant if you need hire as items must be requested prior to travel.

Take on the challenge of Australia’s most famous trek – the Cradle Mountain Overland track – and enjoy Tasmania’s most stunning scenery. With two expert mountain guides at your side, you’ll make your way through temperate rainforest and groves of eucalypts, across alpine moors and through valleys, skirt the edges of bright blue lakes, and take in views of waterfalls and towering peaks in the distance. Camp on the edges of historic huts under star-filled skies, wake up to dramatic landscapes, and tackle side trips like summitting Cradle Mountain and the island’s highest peak Mt Ossa. This active adventure is one of the best ways to discover this iconic trek and landscape.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Launceston - Ronny Creek - Waterfall Valley

Welcome to one of Australia’s greatest walks! Your adventure begins with a pickup at 7:00 am. The tour makes its way west from Launceston, through the picturesque scenery, to start your walk at Ronny Creek in Cradle Valley. Cross a small grassy plain, passing Crater Creek, Crater Lake, and make your way up to Marion’s Lookout for sweeping views, from where you can see the iconic Cradle Mountain and the curved Dove Lake.

The track continues past the historic Kitchen Hut, with its unusual double story design, and you’ll traverse the shoulder of Cradle Mountain surrounded by Tasmanian snow gums. Over 700 million years ago the ground beneath your feet was shaped by glaciers grinding through the landscape. Continue on to the Cradle Cirque, passing the turnoff to Barn Bluff, and descending into Waterfall Valley where you will camp for the night.

Today’s walk is approximately 10 kilometres, 4-5 hours. If weather and time allow, there is also the opportunity to summit Cradle Mountain today.

Accommodation

• Camping (1 Night)

Meals

• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 2: Waterfall Valley - Lake Windermere

Above Waterfall Valley is Barn Bluff, which juts out of the landscape in a distinctive cone-shaped peak. This morning you’ll have the opportunity to climb the bluff if the conditions are right, continuing on to Lake Windermere in the afternoon. Waterfall Valley is, unsurprisingly enough, full of beautiful cascades, and you’ll pass them as the track undulates across moorlands scattered with pencil pines, myrtles, and snow gums.

Look out for Tasmanian Devils, echidnas, and wombats – though you may see the latter’s distinctive cube-shaped poop more often than the mammals themselves. As you crest the moorland you’ll get a view across Lake Windermere, whose dark colour is caused by nutrients and oils leaking from the surrounding grass into the water. Make your way around the shore of the lake to tonight’s campsite, nestled in a scattered forest.

Today’s walk is approximately 8 kilometres, 3-4 hours, not including the optional side trip to climb the bluff.

Accommodation

• Camping (1 Night)

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 3: Lake Windermere - Pelion Hut

You’ve worked your way up to the longest walk of the trip today! Begin with a walk through the lightly timbered forest and across buttongrass moorlands to the lookout at Forth Gorge. In the distance, the peaks of mounts Oakleigh, Ossa, Pelion East and West, as well as the Du Cane Range, pepper the horizon. Follow some small ascents and descents into the forest glade of Frog Flats, a wet section of forest crossed by the River Forth that’s home to some beautifully coloured mosses and fungi.

Climb through forest to Pelion Plains, where the Forth Valley Track diverts off to Old Pelion Hut, which was built by copper miners at the very end of the 19th century. For the next 20 or so years, cattle drovers and trappers plied their trade here, before the area was declared a scenic reserve in 1922. Continue along the shore of Douglas Creek to New Pelion Hut, the largest of the track’s huts, which sits at the junction of the Overland and Arm River tracks.

Today’s walk is approximately 17 kilometres, 6-7 hours.

Accommodation

• Camping (1 Night)

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 4: Pelion Gap - Kia Ora Hut

Begin today with a gradual climb up to Pelion Gap (1126 m). Here the track hits a crossroads with Mt Pelion to the east and to the west towering Mt Ossa, Tasmania’s highest peak at 1617 metres. If the weather’s right, there will be the option to climb either of the peaks today. Both summits boast amazing views of the national park and beyond its boundaries, and are well worth the extra effort. From the Pelion Gap crossroads, the track passes through the glaciated Pinestone Valley and on to Kia Ora Hut, which sits on a creek of the same name and is nestled below the Ducane Range and Cathedral Mountain on the opposite side.

Today’s walk is approximately 9 kilometres, 4 hours. Allow 3-4 additional hours for the Mt Ossa or Mt Pelion East side trip.

Accommodation

• Camping (1 Night)

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 5: Kia Ora Hut - Du Cane Gap - Windy Ridge Hut

Leave Kia Ora Hut and make your way through myrtle beech rainforest to Du Cane Hut, build in 1910 out of King Billy Pine by a trapper as a base for his trade. Further down the track, you will take a side trip to see the falls of D’Alton, Fergusson, and Hartnett, which tumble into the Mersey River in spectacular fashion, especially after recent rainfall. Back on the main track, the path climbs steadily to Du Cane Gap (1070 m), where Mt Geryon and the Acropolis (1471 m) of the Du Cane Range are the peaks that dominate the views. From here, the track descends through the eucalypt forest to Windy Ridge Hut, the newest hut on the track and your spot to share stories on the final night of the trip.

Today’s walk is approximately 10 kilometres, 5 hours.

Accommodation

• Camping (1 Night)

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 6: Windy Ridge Hut - Narcissus River - Launceston

Welcome to the final day of your overland track adventure! Leaving Windy Ridge Hut, descend with the track down the valley of temperate rainforest and eucalypt forest to the Narcissus River. Pass the path which splits off to take walkers to the base of the Du Cane Range and Pine Valley Hut, the base for access to the Acropolis and the Labyrinth.

Follow the track down to a suspension bridge over the Narcissus River and the end is in sight – Lake St Clair and the finish of the Overland Track. Give yourself a huge pat on the back and your legs a rest with a ferry ride across the lake to Cynthia Bay. Jump back in the van for the ride back to Launceston, where your trip comes to an end, arriving around 6 pm this evening.

Today’s walk is approximately 10 kilometres, 4 hours.

Meals

• Breakfast
• Lunch

• You must provide all requested details with the balance of the trip price. Necessary details vary by trip; they include but are not limited to full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. On some more demanding trips, you are required to complete and forward a Self-Assessment form. Failure to provide the requested details may result in additional charges or non-refundable cancellation of your trip.
• Not all Intrepid tours are 'confirmed bookings'. When this is the case, our Backpacker Deals Agents will reach out to confirm with Intrepid and notify you within 48hrs that your booking is confirmed
• The land price of your trip does not include: international or internal flights unless specified airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified meals other than those specified in the trip information visa and passport fees travel insurance optional activities and all personal expenses
• A minimum age at the time of travel applies. For the majority of trips, there is no upper age limit though we remind you that the trip can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to days care. 
• You must carry a valid passport and have obtained all of the appropriate visas, permits, and certificates for the countries which you will visit during your trip. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits, and certificates for your trip.
• Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers on this tour and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. It is recommended as it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it.
• The itinerary provided for each trip is representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice due to local circumstances or events.
• While the tour endeavors to operate all trips as described they reserve the right to change the trip itinerary. The definition of a major change is deemed to be a change affecting at least one day in five of the itinerary. When a major change is made you may choose between accepting the change, obtaining a refund of money paid on the land portion of the trip only, or accepting an alternative tour offered. after departure: The tour reserves the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside of our control. In such emergency circumstances the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. 
• Group trips are run by a group leader. The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a group leader, or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our responsible travel guidelines.
• Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the trip or this contract. You accept that any assistance given by your group leader or local representative in arranging optional activities does not render us liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider. 
• This itinerary is updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
• A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don't include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials have been sighted and assessed. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. 
• On most days, breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included. Your leader will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour. This tour is activity and participation-based. You will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer. All food for this trip is purchased and packed prior to your group leaving on day one. You may be asked to pay for any additional food if you have not advised us of any special dietary requirements. Due to the often remote nature of our trips, food is basic but plentiful and delicious. The tour can provide easily available substitutes, please bring your own staples (nuts, bars, snacks) if you require a diet differing from the following. Vegetarian Gluten Free Dairy Free (soy available ) Pork Free
• You will have to be prepared for all weather extremes. You will be walking at alpine altitudes. 
• Tasmania will no doubt give us everything it has to offer. You need to be prepared for hot weather as well as cold/wet (maybe even on the same day). It is unpredictable, especially in the alpine regions. Tasmania has four distinct seasons with the warmest months being December to March. The average maximum daily summer temperatures are between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius and winter daily temperatures sit between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius. Even in the peak of Australia summer, Tasmania, being the most southerly point of the country is subject to cold and wet weather from Antarctica. It can get very cold, particularly at higher elevations such as Cradle Mountain. Tasmania sits on a latitude of approximately 40 degrees south , which sometimes means the wind chill from the 'roaring 40's' can make the days very cold! Daily weather conditions in Tasmania can change very quickly from sunshine to rain. Come prepared for all extremes, some light clothing for the sunshine and something a little more protective for the colder and possibly wet days. Even though the days may look pretty warm over there, the nights can be quite cool. You may be walking up in the mountains, which can mean that it is much cooler than what is actually forecasted.
• Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip.

• Cancellation by the traveller If you cancel some or all portions of your booking cancellation fees will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip:
  • 30 days or more prior to departure, we will retain the deposit
  • Between 15 and 29 days prior to departure, we will retain 50% of the total booking cost
  • 14 days or less prior to departure, we will retain 100% paid by you in connection with the booking
• Note that different cancellation conditions apply to some trips and additional services. Your booking consultant will advise if differences apply. Please note that for certain travel arrangements the cancellation charge may be higher than those shown. In certain cases a 100% cancellation fee applies as soon as the booking is made and the ticket is issued. You will be advised of different cancellation charges at the time of booking. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking, which will cover cancellation fees. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. The above cancellation fees are in addition to fees that may be levied by accommodation providers, travel agents, or third party tour and transport operator fees.
• Cancellation by the tour: They may cancel a trip at any time up to 30 days before departure, subject to clause 13. They may cancel a trip at any time prior to departure if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events it is not viable for us to operate the planned itinerary. If the tour cancels your trip, you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or alternatively receive a full refund. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside reasonable control, refunds will be less any unrecoverable costs. The tour is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess, or non-refundable flights. 

All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own refund conditions.