Overland Track Expedition
Launceston Tasmania - Sun 16th January 2022

Max Participants:
10
Location:
Launceston Tasmania
Date:
Sun 16th January 2022
Start Time:
2:00pm
End Time:
10:00am approx
Duration:
8 days
Meals:
7 Dinners 7 Breakfasts 6 Lunches
Non-Member Cost:
$2340.00 per person
Member Cost:
$2299.00 per person
Deposit Required:
$300.00
Single Supplement:
From $200.00 per person
Tagged:
expedition hiking

Adventurous Women have teamed up with local expert company On Track Expeditions to provide you the opportunity to hike on Australia's premier alpine walk, The Overland Track in Tasmania.  World-renowned for it's pristine environment and beauty, this walk is listed by the Lonely Planet as one of the best in the world and we're lucky enough to have it in our own backyard!


Throughout this exhilarating and life-changing "women only" journey, you will be provided with all the support and encouragement you need to tackle this challenging (but doable) 65km, 6 day hike. Beginning at iconic Cradle Mountain and ending at Australia's picturesque Lake St Clair, the track meanders through a variety of terrain ranging from sheer mountains, temperate rainforest, wild rivers, and alpine plains all in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. 

 

Whilst walking, our guides will inform you of several optional side excursions, including to the summits of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa, the highest peak in Tasmania. Upon reaching the end of this adventure, you will be transported by small ferry over Lake St Claire – The deepest lake in Australia!

 

Overview of the trip:

Day 1: Arrive Launceston, welcome dinner and overnight

Day 2: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley

Day 3: Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere

Day 4: Lake Windermere to Pelion

Day 5: Pelion to Kia Ora

Day 6: Kia Ora to Windy Ridge

Day 7: Windy Ridge to Lake St Clair to Launceston

Day 8: Depart Launceston, farewells. (Personal onward travel)

 

Gallery

Taking it all in
Ready for Adventure
Overland Track
Group Selfie
Cradle Mountain

Location

Please note map locations and route are approximate only

Itinerary

Welcome to Tasmania! You will be met at the airport and transported to our adjoining hotel before a group briefing and dinner. This will be a great chance to meet your guides and fellow travellers; and do a gear check before learning all about what the next week has in store for you!

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Launceston Hotel (Twin Share Room)

An early start today as we get a bus from Launceston to Cradle Mountain to the start of the track. On arrival, we will check into the National Park and get our trekking permits before setting off on the walk.

The first half an our of your journey on the Overland Track is on boardwalk, across the button grass moorland where you may spot the odd wombat or two! The track soon rises and passes beside Crater Falls, then follows beside Crater Lake. You'll rest and replenish here before you tackle Marions Lookout (1250m) – the steepest section of the Overland Track.

For the next 5km you will enjoy sweeping views across the glacial landscape as you walk beside the base of Cradle Mountain, before steadily descending into spectacular Waterfall Valley to the huts and campsites. Once there, you can feel proud that you’ve just completed what many regard as the most difficult day on the track – Day 1 of your Overland journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Compared with the previous day’s big climb up to Marions Lookout and across the highest part of the Overland Track, the walk to Lake Windermere is

relatively flat and leisurely – but still above 1000 metres in elevation. In the next half hour after Lake Windermere you’ll walk through heathland and alpine gums as you skirt the rim of the spectacular Waterfall Valley cirque. After rain, you can hear several waterfalls far below. About an hour down the track you’ll reach the junction to Lake Will. This is to the east and west of the tarn-studded alpine moors. As you approach Lake Windermere, climb the small knoll for views down to the lake.

Windermere Hut is just beyond the lake, at the edge of a myrtle forest. Tent platforms are located either side of the hut, amongst gnarly snow peppermints and graceful pandanis, with Lake Windermere visible in the distance. Enjoy a refreshing mountain lake swim on arrival.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Your day begins striding out across the heathland and moorland. At about 4km in, you take the short side track to the Forth Valley Lookout to view into this deep, dramatic valley. Back on the main track, you’ll pass through Pine Forest Moor and continue on through button-grass moorlands before crossing Pelion Creek. You’ll then enter a glorious myrtle-beech rainforest on the eastern flanks of Mt Pelion West. It’s a gradual descent all the way through rainforest to Frog Flats – the lowest section of the Overland Track (730m above sea level). At Frog Flats you’ll cross the Forth

River. There is a campsite here, however most walkers push on to Pelion.

From Frog Flats it’s a gradual walk up through more rainforest before breaking out into the open eucalypt forest on the edge of Pelion Plains. The spacious Pelion Hut is set on the edge of picturesque button-grass plains, with the spectacular dolerite spires of Mt Oakleigh framing the view to the north.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Today is mountain day. You’ll start your walk at the same altitude as you finish, with Pelion Hut and Kia Ora Hut both at 850m in elevation. In between,

however, you’ll climb almost 300m to Pelion Gap – and more if you choose to summit one of the peaks. Start by ascending steadily through rainforest, at first following beside Douglas Creek. After a few hours, you’ll emerge from the forest onto Pelion Gap – the exposed alpine plateau between Mt Pelion East and Mt Ossa.

If the weather and time allows, you may choose to attempt to summit Tasmania’s highest peak (Mt Ossa-1617m) or the slightly lower Mt Pelion East by leaving your main pack at the junction and carrying a day pack with all the equipment and supplies required as per advice of your guides. Good views can also be had by climbing to the saddle between Mt Doris and Mt Ossa. The gradual descent from Pelion Gap to Kia Ora Hut through beautiful Pinestone Valley with views to your left of Cathedral Mountain, is a favourite part of the track for many. After arriving at Kia Ora, you’ll find the delightful Kia Ora Creek just beyond the hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Today is rainforest and waterfall day. Initially the track passes through button-grass, but soon you’ll be immersed in rainforest as you skirt the lower

slopes of Castle Crag. Below you, unseen from the main track, the Mersey River crashes through chasms and plunges over cliffs. About an hour into the walk, you’ll break out of the forest into a small clearing, where you’ll find Du Cane Hut, built in 1910 by Paddy Hartnett, a snarer, miner and bushman. You’re welcome to take a look inside, but its overnight use is only permitted in emergencies.

A little further on, you’ll come to the track junction marking the side trip down to see D’Alton and Fergusson Falls – the latter named after Ranger “Fergy” – the first ranger in the south end of the park. Hartnett Falls – the tallest of the three – is a little further on, o another track junction. You can leave your pack at the track junctions to explore the falls. They’re all well worth a visit. Back on the main track, you’ll swing west and begin a gradual climb to Du Cane Gap – the saddle between the Traveller Range and the Du Cane Range.

When you cross over the gap and start a steep descent, you’ll be entering the bowl-like cirque of the Du Cane Range, sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago. Once the canopy starts to open out and eucalypts begin to appear, you’re close to camp: Windy Ridge and Bert Nichols Hut – a stunning location almost totally encircled by the spectacular Du Cane Range.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

There’s no more uphill YAY!! It’s a gentle walk down the glacier’s path to Narcissus Hut beside Lake St Clair. Relax and enjoy your final hours of walking. Aside from pockets of wet forest beside creeks, you’ll be walking in an environment most Australians are more familiar with – amongst tall eucalypts and fragrant heath shrubs, surrounded by birdsong and scurrying skinks, and perhaps even an occasional snake on warmer days. About halfway to Narcissus, is the track junction to Pine Valley Hut. The hut is a popular spot for Tasmanian bushwalkers who journey up from Lake St Clair and use it as a base to explore the Du Cane Range.

As you near Narcissus River, the dolerite columns of Mount Olympus form a dramatic backdrop to the golden glow of button-grass moorland. The comfortable duckboard track, which protects the boggy peat soils, is a welcome change, allowing you to stroll along, savouring the view, instead of constantly watching your feet. Crossing the Narcissus River is exciting – it’s the only suspension bridge on the Overland Track. A little further on, you’ll find the small and rustic Narcissus Hut on the banks of the Narcissus River.

We then catch the ferry down Lake St Clair and where you can FINALLY take off your pack and your boots and celebrate your remarkable

achievement! Upon arrival you will have a chance to check out the visitor’s centre, order something to eat and buy souvenirs, from here you will be driven back to Launceston for a celebratory dinner and good night rest in a hotel!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Launceston Hotel (Twin Share Room)

After breakfast and checkout, you bid farewell to your fellow travellers and we transfer you to the airport for your flight home, or onward departure point.

Meals: Breakfast

Includes

All transfers and ground travel arrangements – both airport transfers and mountain transfers

2 nights twin share hotel accommodation

All meals on the track and in hotels – Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks while on the track

Twin share tent

Parks Pass - Compulsory for all visitors to Tasmania National Parks

Lake St Claire Ferry Service

2 Highly experienced Guides (1 On Track Expeditions, 1 Adventurous Women) with industry required First Aid

Emergency Satellite communications and 24-hour Australian support network

Detailed Risk Management and Risk Assessment of the Overland Track

Public Liability Insurance

Track Authority track permit

Licensed Tasmanian Tour Operator

Adventurous Women Cap

Adventurous Women Drawstring Back-sack

7 Dinners

7 Breakfasts

6 Lunches

Excludes

Domestic and/or international airfares

Single room available at and extra $100AUD per night

Fully Comprehensive Travel and Evacuation Insurance - Compulsory

Personal trekking equipment as per the packing list

Accommodation

We will have a rotating roster whereby you will share both a hotel room when in Launceston and a tent when on the Overland Track with another lady from the group, unless you're travelling with a friend or family. 

 

The platforms the tents are erected on are limited as are numbers on this track, so we cannot provide a single tent on this trip.

 

There is only a single supplement available at the hotel in Launceston for an additional charge of $100 per night.  

What To Bring/Wear

- A packing list & trip notes will be provided well in advance to help you plan & prepare

- You will need your own personal trekking equipment (including your own hiking pack) as per the packing list

More Information



This hike is rated as MEDIUM to HARD and you will be required to carry your own gear while hiking, however there is a food drop half way along and you will be provided with information on what to pack and what you won't need to pack.  

No Princess Policy

Princess crossed out

This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller ... it's camping, camp food, tents, full pack hiking. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience' (Once in a Lifetime)! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude and be willing to work together as part of a team to support one another through the physical and emotional challenges that may arise from participating in this style of hike.


Cancellation & Refunds

Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions as per our partnering tour company On Track Expeditions:

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:

  • More than 90 days prior to departure, we will retain the deposit;
  • Between 90 and 30 days prior to departure, we will retain 50% of the total booking cost;
  • Less than 30 days prior to departure, we will retain 100% paid by you in connection with the booking.
  • If the cancellation is for a legitimate medical reason, and a travel insurance policy has not yet been issued, On Track Expeditions will give a full refund on receipt of a medical certificate.
  • If a travel insurance policy has been issued, normal cancellation conditions apply and the client will need to follow the travel insurance claims process.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.

    Cancellation by On Track Expeditions
  • On Track Expeditions is sometimes forced to cancel or reschedule a trek if it does not have a minimum number of trekkers for a viable trip. If we are forced to cancel or reschedule your trip due to this reason only, you may transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or alternatively you may receive a full refund. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside our reasonable control, refunds may be paid less any unrecoverable costs. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, or non-refundable flights.

    Travel Insurance
  • Travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers - check NIB or Cover-more for Travel Insurance that includes COVID related cancellations.  


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