Overland Track 2025
Overland Track, Mount Ossa
At the very start of 2025, I walked the Overland Track with the Tasmanian Walking Company. A guided 6 day hike called the "Cradle Mountain Signature Walk"
I wanted to write a diary-style post about it because otherwise (being honest with myself), I'd quickly forget all the small, pleasant details about the experience.
Preface: I booked walk with my parents, John and Sam, along with my uncle Ben, my aunt Justine, and cousin Myles.
Day 1: Sunday 5th
(A non-walking day) My parents and I arrived at the Red Feather Inn late in the afternoon, We spent sometime preparing and packing our bags as we consulted the guides on gear to pack for the week ahead.
We got to know the other members of our group (14 people including 2 guides) a little over the welcome dinner, the guides ate with us and encourage each member to introduce themselves and share a little about their experience hiking and what they were looking to get out of the trip.
Having time to spend with and chat to Myles - was the motivation I shared.
Day 2: Monday 6th
Waldheim → barn Bluff Hut
The trip officially began with a ~2 hour bus ride to the trailhead. I slept through most of it, only waking up for a pee stop and a muffin.
We stepped out into brisk air, nice walking weather. The group spent sometime adjusting packs.
Group was given our first warning of 'Currawong': deceptively clever birds that are known to steal food from packs left unnattended. We were told to keep our packs covered with the plastic rainsheet and overturned in the event we had to leave them.
The trail climbed past Crater Lake, winding up through a steep, slightly humid forest. The view became foggier and it felt like ascending into the clouds.
Incline continued to increase and the temperature dropped. There was a steep section with metal chains used to pull yourself up and over a few rocks (possibly the second hardest ascent section of the walk save for Mt Ossa). This got us to 'Kitchen Hut'.
My dad standing outside the original Tasmanian bushwalkers kitchen hut
We stopped for lunch (Chicken, Couscous and hummus salad, and coffee with powdered milk (prepared and offered by the guides)).
After lunch, the path levelled out and eventually sloped downhill.
Nearby, we spotted an emergency (round bubble shaped) shelter. It had been used just last November (2024) when 12 people had to squeeze inside overnight due to poor weather.
I walked with Myles for a period and chatted about his university dissertation and rocket engine design.
I was tired by the time of reaching the Barn Bluff Hut (possibly adapting to the first days full walk).
We were greeted with a cheese board (guide Hannah had gone ahead of the group to ready the hut for arrival) and had some time to unpack our bags, relax and get to know the accomodation.
Dinner: Rice noodle salad with chicken, Sweet milk slices with strawberries
We talked about the possiblity of seeing the Southern Lights. Myles got up at midnight to check, but had no luck.
Day 3: Tuesday 7th
Barn Bluff Hut → Pine Forest Moor Hut
Breakfast, over the entirety of the trip, was a selection of porridge (made slightly differently each day, sometimes with raisins/berries) and freshly baked bread (prepared by guide Edo or Hannah the previous night). Native Tasmanian 'Leatherwood' honey was available in each hut and guide edo prompted us to to try it for the distinct waxy texture.
The 2nd day began heading across out across flatter, open terrain.
We took an optional 'side trip' to Lake Windemere (a short 15 minute deviation from the main path), an unexpected surprise came in the form of some nudists swimming in the river. After a brief (and very much clothed) discussion about the geography of the lake, we continued on.
Our lunch stop was by the side of a small lake. We had the chance swim (the first of multiple during the trip). I went in the water alongside my mum, dad and uncle Ben (more to be able to say I did than anything else). It was (very) cold but became more pleasant the longer I stayed in and acclimatised.
Lunch: Chicken salad, veg, fruit cake, bread, and salami.
Later, the group spotted a helicopter (possibly making a supply run to the huts)?
Pine Forest Hut, somewhat amusingly, had an identical layout and design to the previous hut (as did almost all of the other TWC provided accomodation). One of the few differences was the presence of a guitar, which I played for a bit.
The huts had some well thought out nice details: a small selection of books (that was fairly consistent between each hut so you could continue reading any title you'd chosen), portable reading lamps that could clip into a slot above your bed and a set of muscle rollers and stretching mats.
Fresh scones appeared as an afternoon snack. I stood out on the helipad with Muv for a moment, listening and looking for wildlife. One of the nice things about being so remote is the sense of isolation and quiet when alone.
Dinner: Lamb stew with couscous (really nice).
Ended the night with cards, including Myles, myself and the 3 girls close to our age in the group (Tilly, Maddy and Issy): we played shithead (with modified snap rules) and 7up (which they called up and down the river).
Day 4: Wednesday 8th
Pine Forest Moor Hut → Pelion Plains Hut
The morning started with porridge, bread, and some leftover lamb stew (we jokingly asked Edo if he could keep until breakfast the previous night and didn't think we would be getting the option!). Then followed a deep dive into Tasmanian Devil poo analysis with guide Hannah (she had noticed some fresh left out the front of the hut). Important notes were the etymology of the name 'devil' coming from glowing red ears used to keep the animals warm, and the danger to the species in the form of a facial cancer.
We moved through stunning open terrain and then into denser forest.
At a short rest stop, I did a 'wild poo' (part of the full wilderness experience...involving a thin metal shovel, and bag with loo paper and hand sanitiser).
Later, the trail became more rainforest-y. The group dynamic had shifted somewhat....more jokes, funny conversations and subtle memes developing. The younger members of the walkers were termed 'kidults' and, being slightly faster on foot, usually took the lead of the group.
We stopped at a rustic old trekker’s hut before taking a side trip to a copper mine. It was cool and dark inside the mine tunnel and interesting to think of the difficulty in excavating mostly manually.
Fossilised rock collected at the beach
After a pack drop at Pelion Hut, we did some fossil hunting on what the guides called 'Fossil' Beach.
Public pelion walkers hut
Enroute to the hut, we had a short glimpse of an echidna!
The evenings hut had a stay in host, Braded (amusingly people kept on mistaking it for Brandon, or Brody, or Broden), in the effort to give the 2 guides some time to rest. He had prepared some coconut and cherry muffins for snack.
Dinner: Puttanesca pasta (which, due to the food supply contraints, Braden claimed he had been eating for the past 9 meals), finished off with tiramisu.
Day 5: Thursday 9th
Pelion Plains Hut → Kia Ora Hut (Mt Ossa Climb)
Breakfast: porridge, bread, and (tasty) courgette+corn fritters (nice with a spicy tomato chutney 'kasundi').
The trek began: along the way, we passed the ‘Love Tree’ and spent a short while learning about the formation by combination of seedlings from two plants.
Then came the big climb: 'Mount Ossa!'
The route wound through a few characterisitally named sections: "Japanese Gardens", up past “The Balcony” and the “False Summit.” The ascent was steep but fun and challenging.
Lunch: Roasted peanuts and giant couscous salad with a lemon-chicken dressing.
There was a steep section of rock which was a particular challenging section of the ascent and took a few climbing manouvers.
Though, the 'kidults' has sometime to wait as the adults were a little slower (it was nice just being up there enjoying the views).
When we finally reach the top, it was triumphant and super sunny. At the top, we took in the views, snapped photos, and just enjoyed being there.
The descent was still challenging, requiring careful steps all the way down. By the time we reached the bottom, I (and I imagine the rest of the group) were exhausted. I filled my bottle from a natural (tannin-rich) stream before pushing on to Kia Ora Hut.
It was very pleasurable to be able to rest our feet at the end of this long days walking. There was an amazing view of the sunset from this hut (the only accomodation with slightly altered layout).
Dinner: Mushroom risotto, Creme brulee.
Day 6: Friday 10th
Kia Ora Hut → Windy Ridge Hut
First stop: 'Du Cane' Hut. We learned about the history of early Tasmanian bushwalkers. Ducane, An eccentric tasmanian bushwalker (apparently an alchaholic), had once locked his dogs in this hut (named after him) with a couple of Tasmanian tigers!
From there, we entered the King Billy Pines forest for a 30 minute solo silent walk.
Lunch stop by a creek just above the mouth of a waterfall. I went swimming in the water: super refreshing with a slight current to paddle against. Chickpea salad and some fruitcake for lunch after the fact.
After exploring the falls a little more, we were enroute to the evenings hut and picked up the pace. I drifted away from the lead group (the 'kidults') and walked alone for some time. After catching up with Myles and Issy, I learnt that we'd overshot the meeting point in
At the hut, we were greeted with freshly made naan and daal (amazing and freshly warm).
The kidults continued the habit of card games as we played multiple rounds of 'poohead' alongside 'up & down the river'.
Dinner: Lamb curry with rice.
Day 7: Saturday 12th
Windy Ridge Hut → Lake St Clair (Final Day!)
We packed up (slightly sad knowing this was the final day of the walk) and I took some hut photos before heading off.
The final days path led through tall and wide trees (again, an interesting contrast the scenery and terrain of the previous days). The forest gave way to wooden raised boardwalks (similar to what we'd seen at the beggining). We crossed a suspended bridge over a river.
Soon after, arrived at Nsarcissus Hut for lunch, eating at a bench outside the public shelter (pesto pasta salad with pine nuts and sundried tomatoes).
The final section of the walk was completed in bright sun, with some time to reflect on the previous days journey and the calming sense of relaxation I had after being away from civilisation/phone signal for a week.
A quick swim in the lake was the perfect way to finish before the boat taxi arrived to take us across Lake St Clair.
Reaching the visitor center was a strange feeling—suddenly surrounded by people again after days in the wilderness. It felt like re-entering a different world.
Final Thoughts
The Overland Track was an excellent week of walking, and I really appreciated the time I got to spend with family.