Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair

At 10:30am Overland Track Transport will transfer you from your Launceston hotel to Lake St Clair Lodge, collecting lunch on the way. In the morning if you have stayed overnight there is an option to walk Cataract Gorge in Launceston, but only if you have time. In the afternoon, we loop together three of Tasmania’s Great Short Walks. We start with the platypus walk, with the hopes of spotting one. We continue on the Aboriginal Cultural Walk and then onto Watersmeet Track. These walks are a fabulous introduction to the region and give you a small taste of what’s to come.

Walking: Easy / 5km / 1.5 hrs

Meals: Lunch and dinner at Lake St Clair Wilderness Lodge Cafe

Accommodation: Lake St Clair Wilderness Lodge in the upgraded Lakeside ensuite rooms

There are two options offered today – the Shadow Lake circuit or the longer walk up to Mount Rufus via Shadow Lake. Pademelons, Antarctic Beech Forest (Myrtle Beech), Alpine moorland, pineapple grass, cushion plants, high alpine moorland, this is just the beginning of what you will see today. Among the highlights here are the magnificent views from the summit at Mount Rufus, a summit dominated by strange and fascinating rain-sculpted sandstone formations. The views extend all the way to Frenchman’s Cap and the head of the Franklin River.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 21km / 7–8 hrs / shorter 13km option available

Meals: Chef-cooked breakfast, Walkers Lunch & dinner at Lake St Clair Wilderness Lodge Restaurant

Accommodation: Lake St Clair Wilderness Lodge in the upgraded Lakeside ensuite rooms

Today’s walk is a real adventure because not only do you get to be entertained with enlightened commentary as you are ferried out to Narcissus Bay on Lake St Clair, but you also get to walk the entire day on the south end of the Overland Track. This delightful walk takes us back along the lake to Cynthia Bay and the lodge. The walk starts out in an ancient rainforest, amongst a world of lichens and mosses. As the day progresses, we walk out of the Sassafras and Myrtle Beech and into the more open Sclerophyll forest dominated by black peppermint and other eucalypts.

Walking: Moderate / 17km / 5–6 hrs / shorter 11km option available from Echo Point

Meals: Chef-cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and dinner at Lake St Clair Wilderness Lodge Restaurant

Accommodation: Lake St Clair Wilderness Lodge in ensuited rooms

Today we leave Lake St Clair and travel to Cradle Mountain arriving in time to do some substantial walking. The first Cradle Mountain walk at Dove Lake with fabulous views of the lake and the mountain beyond is one of Australia’s iconic walks. The walk makes its way through a magnificent cool rainforest around the lake and right up close to the mountain. The boardwalk through Cradle Valley is a nice contrast to the first walk as we make our way to Ronnie Creek where you can take the opportunity to dip your feet in the crystal-clear mountain water. It is also undoubtedly one of the best places in Australia to spot wombats.

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 11.2km / 4–5 hrs / short version available

Meals: Chef-cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and Dinner at Peppers Cradle Mountain Tavern

Accommodation: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge in ensuited rooms

It’s another iconic Cradle Mountain hike today, the Face Track Walk a world class, somewhat challenging walk, but the payoff is immense as awe inspiring views dominate virtually the whole journey. The walk begins in a pleasant gully of beech forest and small waterfalls and ascends to the alpine plateau via Crater Lake and a button grass moorland. At Kitchen Hut, beneath the summit is a magic place to take lunch and admire the view over the lake and the magnificent valley below. Here’s your chance to summit Cradle Mountain, however it requires scrambling, a head for heights and a high level of fitness, so it is not recommended unless you are strong and fit. We head home via the Face Track passing Lake Wilks while taking in the alternate magnificent views out towards the Walls of Jerusalem. If you wish, there are further options to continue walking.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 12km / 6–7 hrs / shorter or easier option available

Meals: Chef-cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and two course a la carte dinner at Peppers Cradle Mountain Restaurant

Accommodation: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge in ensuited rooms

The walk through the valley up to Waldheims is a great area to spot wombats, native hens, echidnas and of course an opportunity to explore Waldheim Chalet. The walk at Enchanted Forrest is surreal, as you travel through a beautiful moss-covered rainforest featuring old King Billy Pines. We extend the day a little by taking the King Billy Track back to the hotel. Your transfer back to Launceston is booked at 10am arriving at approximately 12.30pm.

Walking: Easy / 5km / 2.5 hrs

Meals: Chef-cooked breakfast and walkers lunch