The Overland Track Tasmania - 18-23 Dec 2021

After months of training, planning and purchasing, we hit the Overland Track in Tasmania on the 18th of December.  We walked 66kms over 6 days and 5 nights from Cradle Mountain (north) to Lake St.Clair (south).  What an amazing wilderness walk! Our walking companions were David's brother Colin and our friend Franziska.

We are very proud of being able to carry 18 kg backpacks for the first time in our 50s. Our previous best was 13/14 kgs on the Milford Track (NZ) nearly 14 years ago - and that was only for 4 days.

The trail head at Ronny's Creek, Cradle Mountain

First night at Waterfall Valley.   Colin, David and I slept in our tents, whilst Franzi chose to sleep in the impressive new Scandi-chic hut.

We took the side trip to Lake Will.  It is here it started to rain, and it did not let up for 36 hours.

The hut at Lake Windermere was rustic and small, and given the bad weather, everyone crammed inside to sleep, ignoring the COVID capacity limits. The weather the next morning was far worse and we walked the entire day through wind and driving rain. The wet trees glowed with deep colours, but unfortunately it was too wet to risk pulling out the cameras.

The view off the balcony at Pelion Hut.

Every day involved the ritual unpacking of our backpacks to set up the bedding and cook the meals. At night all the food had to be secured in a sack, hanging high up, so that the possums could not get to it (nothing was safe even in the huts). After breakfast the ritual was completed with the re-loading of the backpacks.

Into the enchanted forest.....

The one upside of all the rain was that the waterfalls were spectacular.

Franzi, David and I took a side trip up to Mt Pelion East. The wind was ferocious and the rock scrambling precarious as we neared the top. However the views were spectacular.

Kia Ora Hut was tiny, and with the lifting of the rain a majority of the walkers slept outside. The sound of the nearby waterfall lulled us to sleep.

Fergusson Falls

The sections of track with extensive root systems were the most difficult and dangerous to walk along.

Hartnett Falls

Hanging out at Windy Ridge

Peter was making his 3rd attempt to finish the Overland Track. Now in his 70's he was very relieved to have made the final night with a gentle walk to the ferry the next day.

A Pademelon: so cute! It's a type of small wallaby only found in Tasmania (and PNG apparently)

Upon reaching Lake St Clair, we had a few hours to kill waiting for the ferry. Colin, David and I decided to brave the freezing cold water to celebrate the end of the walk.

The wilderness was beautiful, and we were happy to see so many flowers still out in December. The next posting will contain some favourite flower photos.