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Three well-equipped bushwalkers in summer on the Overland Track at Marions Lookout. Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake in the background.
Day 1 Marions Lookout (photograph: Andrew Englisch)

Overland Track

Australia's premier alpine walk.

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Alerts for Overland Track

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Track closure: Horse Track to Crater Lake - Overland Track
Applies from 3/3/2025

The Overland Track between the Horse Track and Crater Lake will be closed from Monday 3 March to Monday 14 April 2025 for essential maintenance works. 

For public safety, no access to this section of the track is permitted during this period. Overland Track walkers must detour via the Lake Lilla Track and Wombat Pool Track. 

For further information, please contact the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre on (03) 6492 1110. 

We appreciate your cooperation and patience.

Last reviewed 26/2/2025 03:43 PM

Fire: Reynolds Falls track from Speeler Plains to Reynolds Falls
Applies from 12/3/2025

​​​There is a bushfire within the Reynolds Falls Nature Recreation Area. 

Reynolds Falls and the Reynolds Falls track is​ closed to bushwalkers until further notice. 

Bushwalkers are asked to stay away from the area.

​For more information, and to monitor conditions,​ visit the Tas Alert website or app.​​

Last reviewed 24/3/2025 02:57 PM

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Camping
  • Drinking water
  • Fuel stove only
  • Huts
  • Overnight walk
  • Park ranger
  • Parking
  • Visitor centre
  • World Heritage Area

ContactExpand/Collapse

Area closure. Full information in alert notice.
6 days one way, 65km one way
Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
WARNING: The Overland Track is a serious undertaking, for well–prepared walkers, with a good level of fitness and who understand the risks of walking in a remote alpine area. The track is not recommended for children under 8 years. Weather can change rapidly and deaths have occurred, even in summer, when people have been caught underprepared in cold, wet and windy weather.

WATCH: This safety video (English subtitles) will help you understand the dangers of being cold and how to be prepared. (Safety video​ with Chinese subtitles)​.

A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
Fees:

Park entry fee for the duration of your walk is included in the Overland Track experience fee during the booking season.  A valid park pass is required to walk between 1 June and 30 September.​

​Overland Track Pass Fees apply from 1 October - 31 May inclusive*.

  • Adults - $295
  • Children (17 years and under) - $255
  • Concession​ - $255​

* These fees are reviewed annually in line with CPI. All fees go directly towards the provision of services and maintenance of the Overland Track.​

Bookings:

SUMMER 

1 October 2024 to 30 May 2025


​ Book for summer 2025


WINTER​​

1 June 2025 to 30 September 2025 (inclusive)

Registration opens in April or May 2025. 

Once you start walking, the next road and commercial centre you will come to at the end of the track, six days later. You will need to carry your own equipment and food for the entire journey.
You can board the Shuttle Bus outside the Visitor Centre and travel to the departure point at Ronny Creek. Make sure you sign in at the Walker Registration booth at Ronny Creek.

About

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Ov​erland Track is Australia's premier alpine walk. This exhilarating and life-changing journey attracts walkers from across the globe. Beginning at the iconic Cradle Mountain and ending at Australia’s deepest lake – Lake St Clair, this 65 kilometre, six-day trek takes you through the heart of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, part of the magnificent Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Your journey will be physically demanding, emotionally challenging and scenically spectacular. This is a landscape of glacially carved valleys, ancient rainforests, fragrant eucalypt forests, golden buttongrass moorlands and beautiful alpine meadows. Optional side-trips take you to cascading waterfalls and mountain summits, including Tasmania’s highest peak, Mount Ossa (1617 m).

The Overland Track is about you and your time in the wilderness, so while six days is the average time taken to walk the track, you can create your own pace depending on how many rest days or side-trips you wish to enjoy.

Most walkers finish their journey at Narcissus Hut at the head of Lake St Clair where they board a small privately run ferry (prior booking required) to reach the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre at Cynthia Bay. Or you might choose to walk the 17.5 km length of the lake through rainforest to the visitor centre, extending your journey by a day. 

Almost half of the track is above 1000 metres in elevation on exposed plateaus in a remote area. Thorough preparation and good gear is essential. 

It’s no wonder the Overland Track has secured its reputation as one of the world’s great wilderness bushwalks. 

Walker information

  • Overland Track - plan your trip
    The Overland Track is a walk to remember, but it also a serious undertaking that requires careful planning. Read through our planning material to make sure you have all the bases covered.
  • Overland Track - walk options
    There are many options available for walkers on the Overland Track. Find out more about individual, group, tour experiences, walking with children, educational groups and winter walking.
  • Overland Track - booking information
    Find out everything you need to know about booking your walk.
  • Overland Track - walk notes
    Wondering what to expect on your Overland Track experience? Take the time to look over our walk notes to plan out your itinerary.
  • Frequently asked questions
    Frequently asked questions about the Overland Track
Overland Track map Buy a map from TasMap

It is recommended that all visitors undertaking the Overland Track purchase the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair map and notes (1:100 000 TASMAP) before you depart.​

​Shuttle bus

The shuttle bus leaves from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre and operates seven days a week. A valid Parks Pass is required along with a ticket for the shuttle bus which can be organised at the Visitor Centre.​

The shuttle bus service is included as part of the Cradle Mountain Day Icon pass and as part of the Overland Track booking fee.​

The shuttle bus departs from the Visitor Centre stopping at the Ranger Station / Interpretation Centre, then Snake Hill, then Ronny Creek, and finally Dove Lake. The journey one-way (from the Visitor Centre to Dove Lake) is approximately 20 minutes.  ​

Shuttle bus times are seasonal and subject to change. Road conditions can be affected by weather, which can affect operations times.   Confirm with the Visitor Centre prior to arrival.

Visit our Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus Information​​ webapge for more information about the shuttle bus route and times.

Private vehicle access

Limited private vehicle access and parking for Dove Lake is available outside shuttle bus operating hours. This includes nine private vehicle parking spaces and one disability parking space.

Campervans, motorhomes, caravans, trailers and similar vehicles are not permitted on Dove Lake Road at any time. Visitors with these types of vehicle will be required to park at the Visitor Centre to use the shuttle bus service to access the park.​

Private vehicle access is not permitted into the National Park during shuttle bus operating times.​

For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions:

 Dove Lake Shelter Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 199Kb)

​

​​​​Overland Track Transport

Organising transport to and from the Overland Track requires forward planning. Explore your transport options before you book your walk. Most walkers plan a spare day for transport / logistics either side of their departure date.

Bus

Transport to and from Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair visitor centres is available all year from Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. Check with the operators listed in Plan your trip​ for chartered services.

Ferry at Lake St Clair

If you plan to finish your walk at Narcissus, and catch the ferry across Lake St Clair to the visitor centre at Cynthia Bay, you need to book the ferry​ before you commence your Overland Track walk. The ferry is privately run. A fee applies. 

​

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

​​Equipment 

​​​Not sure what to bring? Please check the Walker Pack List and make sure you have all your food and the essentials. Your gear should fit into a 75-litre pack and weigh approx 18kg (including at least 2 litres of water) up to 7hrs a day. If you need to hire equipment, please check with local camp stores and retail providers

Weather forecasts 

Current and 7 day forecast information can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website. Please note all bush walker weather warnings and adjust your plans accordingly.

Personal Locator Beacons

​​​​Many walkers appreciate the security of carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) to activate in the event of a life-threatening emergency. PLBs can be hired from Service Tasmania shops (Mon-Fri only) in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport. Phone 1300 135 513 for further information.

PLBs are also available from the Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and Mount Field visitor centres, though numbers are limited and cannot be reserved. 

​​There are also independent hire companies, including ​EPIRBHire and The Bushwalking Blog.​ 

Huts and camping

A maximum of 34 independent walkers can depart on any given day, book early to avoid missing out.
Huts cannot be booked and there may not be space for all walkers. For this reason, you must carry a tent. You can expect to use your tent some nights and share the hut space other nights. Refer Walk notes for Hut capacity.

​Do not feed wildlife - stow your food

​Please be aware that wildlife can damage tents if your food is not stowed well. Do not feed wildlife, it turns them into pests and can make them very sick.

There is an on-going problem with brush-tail possums ripping tents and backpacks to access food at these campsites. Possums are omnivores and opportunists. Despite our food not being good for them, they will happily eat most food that we eat. They have become very efficient at opening pack and tent zips, or just ripping a hole in a tent to access the food. 

To help protect your camping gear from damage:

  • Ensure all food is stored in sealed bags (preferably double bagged).
  • Store all food rubbish in sealed bags.
  • Place all sealed bags inside your backpack, and keep your backpack inside your tent.
  • Do not keep food in the pockets of your tent or your backpack.
  • Prepare and eat food away from your tent site.

Do not underestimate the brush-tail possum.  Do not feed them! 

​Check–in ​

On arrival at Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre, you will need to present your booking confirmation (digital or paper copy) and undertake a walker briefing session to receive your Overland Track Pass. As part of checking in, please give the PWS staff member a completed Overland Track​ Safety Checklist, identification and any relevant concession cards. You must collect your pass by 1:30pm on the day of departure (or the day before departure after 3pm. During the months of April and May, passes must be collected by 12:30pm.  Please remember your concession card - you will need to show all cards at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre when your group checks in to collect their passes. If you are unable to check in during these times, please contact the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre.​

Protect our natural resources - please carry out all rubbish.

​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our know before you go section.

​

Multi-day walks - safety message​​​​

Multi-day walks are a wonderful way to experience the wilder side of Tasmania, but it is essential that you are adequately equipped before embarking on an overnight adventure. In addition to the items listed for day walks you will need at a minimum: a large waterproof backpack and pack liner, tent (3-4 season rated with inner and outer layer), sleeping bag (rated to at least 0°C for coastal areas and -10°C for alpine areas), sleeping mat, hiking boots, gaiters, fuel stove and fuel, high-energy food, quick-dry walking clothes, toilet trowel, antibacterial gel, PLB (personal locator beacon), map and compass.

For all safety information and a full list of recommended items for all walks, please refer to Safety in parks.

​

​​​​​Walker safety - alpine walks ​​​​​​ (such as Cradle Mountain, Frenchmans Cap, Walls of Jerusalem, Southwest)

Weather conditions in Tasmania can change quickly and frequently, especially in alpine areas. Snow, rain, wind and sun are all possible at any time of the year, and bushfires can occur between October and March. 

When visiting alpine areas you should include at a minimum, in addition to your basic walking gear, a waterproof jacket with hood and storm front (seam sealed and breathable fabric, Gore-Tex or similar), waterproof over trousers (seam sealed and breathable fabric​​, Gore-Tex or similar), sturdy walking boots and warm clothing (a fleece or woollen jumper, thermal base layers, hat and gloves).

Deaths have occurred when people have been caught unprepared in cold, wet and windy weather. Children, older people and those with an illness or disability are at the greatest risk in such conditions. 

Watch the hypothermia safety video with English subtitles to understand the dangers of being cold and how to be prepared. (Safety video with Chinese subtitles.)

Please observe all track signs – they are provided for your safety. Stay on the formed walking tracks at all times – both for your own safety and to protect the sensitive alpine region.

For more information on pack items and safety, please see Safety in parks.​​​​​

​​

​Remember the safe walking guidelines

  • ​Plan to walk safely
  • Be prepared
  • Avoid walking alone and let someone know your plans
  • Record your trip intentions in the log books 
  • Be prepared to turn back