Overland Track

Last updated

The Overland Track
Overland Track Past Cradle Mountain.jpg
Track passing by Kitchen Hut west of Cradle Mountain
Length65 km (40 mi)
Location Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Established1931–1935
Designation
Trailheads
UseHiking
Highest pointAlpine plateau between Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut, 1,250 m (4,100 ft)
Lowest pointForth River crossing, 720 m (2,360 ft)
DifficultyMedium
SeasonAll
SightsMountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife
Hazards Hypothermia, snakebites, cliffs
Map of The Overland Track
Overland track map.svg
The Overland Track, marked in red, with Cradle Mountain in the north and Lake St Clair in the south.

The Overland Track is an Australian bushwalking track, traversing Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. It is walked by more than nine thousand people each year, with numbers limited in the warmer months. [1] Officially the track runs for 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair however many choose to extend it by walking along Lake St Clair for an extra day, bringing it to 82 kilometres (51 mi). It winds through terrain ranging from glacial mountains, temperate rainforest, wild rivers and alpine plains.

Contents

There are several well known side tracks, including walks to the summits of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa, the tallest mountain in Tasmania and a group of tarns called The Labyrinth. [2] Known for its pristine environment and beauty, the Overland Track is listed by Lonely Planet as one of the best treks in the world. [3]

The walk can be done independently, with six main public huts maintained by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife and five private huts for commercial groups only. [4] [5] Bushwalkers usually complete the track in five or six days, usually from north to south. The record time is seven hours and 25 minutes, achieved by Andy Kromar during the Cradle Mountain Run. [6]

History

Use by Aboriginal Nations

The Overland Track spans the boundary between the Big River and Northern Tasmanian Aboriginal nations and may have been used as an access route. Several artifacts and campsites containing various stone types and tools have been discovered between Pelion Plains and Lake St Clair, and early surveyors reported huts in the area. Aboriginal Tasmanians were persecuted by the European settlers upon their arrival, and the last free Aboriginals in the area were seen between Barn Bluff and Lake Windemere in 1836. [7]

Early European Development

Europeans first explored Cradle Mountain in 1827 and 1828 with Joseph Fossey and Henry Hellyer surveying for the Van Diemen's Land Company. Lake St Clair was sighted by surveyor William Sharland in 1832, with George Frankland leading an expedition to it three years later. [7]

During the late 19th century there was an effort to build a railway to the west coast of Tasmania, which at the time was only accessible by boat. Railway engineer Allan Stewart began surveying a route which led up the Mersey Valley up to what is now the middle of the Overland Track, but ran out of money before it could be completed. Parts of his trail were used by the Innes track (est. 1897), which led to the mining town of Rosebery. The Overland Track itself follows the original Innes track across Pelion Plains. [7]

These tracks encouraged prospecting, and several mines were set up including coal near Barn Bluff, copper in Pelion Plains, Lake Windemere and Commonwealth Creek, tin in Mount Inglis, and tungsten in the Forth Valley. Lake Windemere and Old Pelion huts were established during this mining effort. [7]

Trappers worked in the area from the 1860s until the collapse of the fur trade in the 1950s, although hunting in the park was declared illegal after 1927. They established huts, including Du Cane and Pine Valley, and burned the land to encourage fresh growth and game. [7]

During the same timeframe Pelion Plains was used by sheep and cattle for grazing in the summer, and wild cattle lived in the area until 1948. The cattle were reportedly quite aggressive, and known to attack early bushwalkers. [7]

Environmental Protection and Tourism

Both Lake St Clair and Cradle Mountain were regarded by European settlers as beautiful tourist destinations, with tourist lodges at each location. [7]

In the 1910s Gustav and Kate Weindorfer began campaigning for the area from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair to be a national park. It was declared a scenic reserve in 1922, a wildlife reserve in 1927 and its current designation of national park from 1947. During this transition, former trappers began building huts and guiding bushwalkers, including Paddy Hartnett, Weindorfer and Bob Quaile.

It was not until 1931 that fur trapper Bert Nichols blazed the Overland Track and by 1935 it was consolidated and used by independent walking parties. [8] [7]

By 1937 it was officially named the Overland Track and the track had been upgraded to be used for guided tours and pack horses. Shortly after Kitchen Hut was built, now used as an emergency shelter. [9]

In the 1970s management of the park passed to the newly formed Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service after the controversial flooding of Lake Pedder and commercially guided tours were reintroduced. [9] [7]

Management

The Overland Track has been managed by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service since 1971, with the purpose of both improving access, and conserving World Heritage areas. [9]

They manage track maintenance, hut maintenance and upgrades, toilet waste removal and staff rangers along the track during the summer. [10]

During their tenure the popularity of the track increased dramatically, with the number of walkers increased from 1500 to 8800 between 1971 and 2004. The demographics also shifted away from being mostly locals to 35% international, 57% from the mainland, and 8% from Tasmania. [9] In 2005 a booking system was implemented to manage its increased popularity, and restrictions were placed on walkers. In 2022 it costs $200 for an adult to walk the track from October to May (inclusive), not including the National Parks Pass, and walkers must travel from north to south on a prebooked starting date. [9]

Erosion

The track was in poor condition by the 1980s with significant mud and erosion, with 29% of the track impacted by knee-deep mud and track widening. [11] In 1982, major Tasmanian national parks were recognised as a World Heritage Area, and federal funding was allocated to hut and track upgrades. [9] This consisted of duckboarding vulnerable parts of the track.

In 2015, the track condition was judged to be in vastly improved condition with only 4% considered "poor". [12] [11] the track is now free from erosion.

Hazards

Highland Tasmanian weather can be unpredictable and cause hazardous track conditions, however most injuries and deaths from 1990 can be attributed to slips. [13] [14]

In 2014 an international student from Victoria died from hypothermia between Kitchen Hut and Waterfall Valley due to inclement weather and inadequate clothing. [15] It led to stricter guidelines for bushwalker preparedness, and Chinese language information at trailheads. [16]

Climate

The climate is generally unstable, with temperatures ranging from hot (in excess of 35 °C or 95 °F) in summer to below 0 °C (32 °F) in winter. Snow can fall at any time and is common during the winter, especially on the Cradle Mountain Plateau and around Mount Ossa. Rain is very common, sometimes torrential though often settling to days of drizzle. [17] Additionally, the climate varies significantly between Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, with Cradle Mountain subject to almost twice as much annual rainfall despite having the same number of rainy days. This informed the practice (now policy) of bushwalkers departing from the north. [18]

Climate data for Cradle Valley, Tasmania
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)30.0
(86.0)		30.5
(86.9)		25.1
(77.2)		20.0
(68.0)		17.8
(64.0)		11.1
(52.0)		11.5
(52.7)		12.7
(54.9)		17.9
(64.2)		19.9
(67.8)		22.0
(71.6)		27.0
(80.6)		30.5
(86.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)16.6
(61.9)		17.0
(62.6)		14.4
(57.9)		10.8
(51.4)		7.9
(46.2)		5.1
(41.2)		4.6
(40.3)		4.9
(40.8)		7.5
(45.5)		10.5
(50.9)		12.8
(55.0)		15.2
(59.4)		10.6
(51.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)5.2
(41.4)		5.9
(42.6)		4.7
(40.5)		3.1
(37.6)		1.5
(34.7)		−0.2
(31.6)		−0.2
(31.6)		−0.5
(31.1)		0.3
(32.5)		1.5
(34.7)		2.5
(36.5)		4.1
(39.4)		2.3
(36.1)
Record low °C (°F)−1.0
(30.2)		−1.9
(28.6)		−2.5
(27.5)		−4.0
(24.8)		−8.3
(17.1)		−8.3
(17.1)		−7.8
(18.0)		−8.5
(16.7)		−8.0
(17.6)		−5.0
(23.0)		−3.5
(25.7)		−1.3
(29.7)		−8.5
(16.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches)148.8
(5.86)		121.9
(4.80)		148.1
(5.83)		204.1
(8.04)		276.4
(10.88)		272.3
(10.72)		315.7
(12.43)		301.7
(11.88)		269.4
(10.61)		252.4
(9.94)		205.1
(8.07)		181.7
(7.15)		2,815.8
(110.86)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology [19]
Climate data for Lake St. Clair National Park, Tasmania
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)33.0
(91.4)		31.9
(89.4)		30.2
(86.4)		23.2
(73.8)		21.7
(71.1)		14.2
(57.6)		13.1
(55.6)		17.0
(62.6)		20.4
(68.7)		25.7
(78.3)		28.0
(82.4)		32.6
(90.7)		33.0
(91.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)19.3
(66.7)		19.2
(66.6)		16.6
(61.9)		13.0
(55.4)		10.3
(50.5)		7.7
(45.9)		7.3
(45.1)		8.2
(46.8)		10.0
(50.0)		12.6
(54.7)		15.5
(59.9)		17.3
(63.1)		13.1
(55.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)6.3
(43.3)		5.9
(42.6)		4.2
(39.6)		2.8
(37.0)		1.6
(34.9)		0.2
(32.4)		−0.1
(31.8)		0.3
(32.5)		0.9
(33.6)		2.0
(35.6)		3.6
(38.5)		5.0
(41.0)		2.8
(37.0)
Record low °C (°F)−2.5
(27.5)		−4.0
(24.8)		−4.1
(24.6)		−5.0
(23.0)		−6.0
(21.2)		−7.0
(19.4)		−7.2
(19.0)		−7.0
(19.4)		−6.2
(20.8)		−6.5
(20.3)		−4.0
(24.8)		−2.6
(27.3)		−7.2
(19.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches)101.7
(4.00)		83.6
(3.29)		107.1
(4.22)		135.0
(5.31)		157.1
(6.19)		172.8
(6.80)		205.3
(8.08)		247.6
(9.75)		217.2
(8.55)		175.2
(6.90)		136.2
(5.36)		130.8
(5.15)		1,868.3
(73.56)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology [20]

Flora and Fauna

A Pandani near Cradle Mountain, a Gondwanan species endemic to Tasmania Pandani - near Cradle Mountain - Flickr - brewbooks.jpg
A Pandani near Cradle Mountain, a Gondwanan species endemic to Tasmania
Currawong near Windermere Currawong At Windermere.jpg
Currawong near Windermere

The Overland Track traverses Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, which is a significant habitat for Tasmania's endemic species. An estimated 40–55% of the parks documented alpine flora is endemic. Furthermore, 68% of the higher rainforest species recorded in alpine areas in Tasmania are present in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The park's alpine vegetation is very diverse and has largely escaped forest fires that have caused neighbouring regions to suffer.

The most common fauna are Tasmanian Pademelons (native), possums and small rodents most of which are native. Also decidedly present, but not necessarily seen, are quolls, echidnas, tasmanian devils and wombats. There are also the famous Tasmanian leeches. The track traverses areas of many types of vegetation, including Myrtle Beech forest, Eucalypts forest, Button Grass plains, alpine herb fields, and shrubs and mosses.

Birds

The park has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it provides habitat for 11 of Tasmania's endemic bird species, as well as for the flame and pink robins and the striated fieldwren. The IBA is important as a representative protected area in north-central Tasmania for those species. [21]

Buttongrass plains

Large segments of the track pass across buttongrass plains, [22] a landscape that is unique to Tasmania. It has been theorised that the extent of buttongrass plains could be due to Aboriginal fire-stick farming before European settlement. [23]

Human interactions with wildlife

Some wildlife, especially possums, currawongs and quolls have become to associate humans with food and are quite adept at stealing from tents, huts and packs. [24] Although the vast majority of people are against feeding wildlife, during a Tasmanian study 7.4% of people eating lunch in national parks were observed to feed animals in addition to currawongs scavenging food after they left. [25] It is recommended that bushwalkers suspend food from the roof within huts, and store food in rigid containers inside tents as eating human food has caused lumpy jaw in wildlife. [26]

Geology

The oldest rocks in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park are quartzites laid down in Precambrian times, and form a large base tilted towards the SSW and most exposed in the northern half of the track. [27] [28] Later, there was some mineralisation forming tin and copper deposits, [7] and in the Permian Era marine deposits left shellfish fossils and sedimentary layered cliffs at about 900m. [28] [29]

In the Jurassic period, dolerite intruded through the crust, forming columns that cap every major mountain range in the national park. [28] [29] [7]

North-south valleys were formed as Gondwana broke up, and they were further carved and deepened by glaciers during the last ice age. Cirque glaciers formed around most major peaks, giving Cradle Mountain its iconic shape. [7]

The Pelion Range from Mt Oakleigh showing the dolerite capped landscape Pelion Range from Mt Oakleigh.jpg
The Pelion Range from Mt Oakleigh showing the dolerite capped landscape

Sights

Scorparia is a common plant that lines the trail Scorparia.jpg
Scorparia is a common plant that lines the trail
D'Alton Falls D'Alton Falls.jpg
D'Alton Falls

The Overland Track is listed as one of the best treks in the world by Lonely Planet and contains "craggy mountains [and] beautiful lakes and tarns". [3] The scenery is often described as spectacular, [30] [31] with walkers noting the mountain scenery, forests, alpine plains, lakes and waterfalls. [32] Tasmania in general is known for its remote, interesting and challenging wilderness, and in bushwalking circles the Overland Track is considered a comparatively accessible way of experiencing this part of the world. [7] : 131 

Walking Route

The walk covers 65 km with most walkers covering approximately 12 km per day and staying over nights in and around the main huts. Public huts have room for 16-36 people, and there are numerous platformed tent sites around the areas. There are also private huts for guided tours. [33]

The track is mostly well defined and adequately marked. The track condition, however, varies greatly. There are long sections of duckboard (boardwalk) which consist of split logs embedded in the ground, held together with wire and nails. Where there is no duckboard, the conditions can sometimes be very muddy. In winter, the mud is frozen solid early in the morning, however offsetting this is the problem of slippery ice on the duckboard. The mud is not nearly as frequent or deep as hikes in the southwest, due mainly to the duckboard. [33]

Inexperienced walkers are advised to undertake the walk in summer when the days are longer and the weather milder. During this time the number of visitors is controlled by the 'Overland Pass' a limited number of which are available, with revenue going towards maintaining the track and visitors must walk from the north to south. [34] The walk is not challenging provided that walkers are adequately prepared with proper equipment. The track is covered by the Tasmap Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair 1:100000 map. [33]

Locator Dot.png
Tasmania location map.png
Location in Tasmania

Main Track

The main track crosses starts from Ronny Creek (or Dove Lake) and crosses the Cradle Mountain Plateau to reach Waterfall Valley. [35] [33] It then descends across heathlands to Lake Windermere and through rainforests to cross the Forth River at Frog Flats, before ascending to Pelion Plains. The track crosses the saddle between Mount Ossa and Mount Pelion East, and descends toward Kia Ora Hut. The next section crosses into the Du Cane Range, formed by cirque glaciers and surrounded by several waterfalls, then descends to cross the Narcissus River and meets the north side of Lake St Clair. From here, walkers either catch the ferry across the lake, or walk the 17 km to Cynthia Bay. [33]

Side Tracks

There are a number of side trips that can be undertaken while on the Overland Track. From north to south these are: [36]

Huts

Kitchen Hut Kitchen Hut - Overland Track - Flickr - brewbooks.jpg
Kitchen Hut
Du Cane Hut Du Cane Hut - Flickr - brewbooks.jpg
Du Cane Hut

The track has many huts, enabling hikers to stay indoors every night. There is no booking system for huts, so it is mandatory for hikers to carry a tent in case there is no space available or there is an incident on the track. [33] Commercial groups are not encouraged to use the huts overnight and while one company operates from a set of five private huts, all other operators use the designated group camping areas near each of the main huts.

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

Main Trail Huts

NameLocation
Waterfall Valley Hut 41°42′53″S145°56′49″E / 41.71472°S 145.94694°E / -41.71472; 145.94694 (Waterfall Valley Hut)
Windermere Hut 41°46′18″S145°57′23″E / 41.77167°S 145.95639°E / -41.77167; 145.95639 (Windermere Hut)
New Pelion Hut 41°49′46″S146°2′47″E / 41.82944°S 146.04639°E / -41.82944; 146.04639 (New Pelion Hut)
Kia Ora Hut 41°53′32″S146°4′53″E / 41.89222°S 146.08139°E / -41.89222; 146.08139 (Kia Ora Hut)
Burt Nichols Hut 41°55′56″S146°5′20″E / 41.93222°S 146.08889°E / -41.93222; 146.08889 (Windy Ridge Hut)
Narcissus Hut 42°0′45″S146°6′6″E / 42.01250°S 146.10167°E / -42.01250; 146.10167 (Narcissus Hut)
Echo Point Hut 42°2′37″S146°8′17″E / 42.04361°S 146.13806°E / -42.04361; 146.13806 (Echo Point Hut)

Side Route Huts

NameLocation
Pine Valley Hut 41°57′31″S146°3′48″E / 41.95861°S 146.06333°E / -41.95861; 146.06333 (Pine Valley Hut)
Scott-Kilvert Memorial Hut 41°41′33″S145°57′56″E / 41.69250°S 145.96556°E / -41.69250; 145.96556 (Scott-Kilvert Memorial Hut)

Day Use and Emergency shelters

Overnight use of these is prohibited except in an emergency

NameLocation
Kitchen Hut 41°40′32.7″S145°56′46″E / 41.675750°S 145.94611°E / -41.675750; 145.94611 (Kitchen Hut)
Rangers Hut 41°40′21″S145°57′56″E / 41.67250°S 145.96556°E / -41.67250; 145.96556 (Rangers Hut)
Du Cane Hut 41°54′17″S146°6′8″E / 41.90472°S 146.10222°E / -41.90472; 146.10222 (Du Cane Hut)
Old Pelion Hut 41°49′34″S146°2′9″E / 41.82611°S 146.03583°E / -41.82611; 146.03583 (Old Pelion Hut)

Cradle Mountain Run

The Cradle Mountain Run is an 82 km long Australian ultramarathon that follows the Overland Track. [37] It is Australia's oldest endurance race and has run annually from 1980. Entrance is highly controlled due to environmental concerns. [38] [39]

The men's race record of 7:25 is held by Andy Kromar and the women's race record of 8:13 is held by Hanny Allston. [40]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park</span> Protected area in Tasmania, Australia

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania (Australia), 165 kilometres (103 mi) northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begin. Major features are Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff in the northern end, Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh and Mount Ossa in the middle and Lake St Clair in the southern end of the park. The park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cradle Mountain</span> Mountain in Tasmania

Cradle Mountain is a locality and mountain in the Central Highlands region of the Australian state of Tasmania. The mountain is situated in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area</span> UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tasmania

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, abbreviated to TWWHA, is a World Heritage Site in Tasmania, Australia. It is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia, covering 15,800 km2 (6,100 sq mi), or almost 25 per cent of Tasmania. It is also one of the last expanses of temperate wilderness in the world, and includes the South West Wilderness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake St Clair (Tasmania)</span> Lake in Tasmania, Australia

Lake St Clair or leeawulenna is a natural freshwater lake located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania, Australia. The lake forms the southern end of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It has an area of approximately 45 square kilometres (17 sq mi), and a maximum depth of 215 metres (705 ft), making it Australia's deepest lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Ossa (Tasmania)</span> Highest mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount Ossa is the highest mountain in Tasmania, with a summit elevation of 1,617 metres (5,305 ft) above sea level. It makes up part of the Pelion Range within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frenchmans Cap</span> Mountain in Western Tasmania, Australia

Frenchmans Cap is a mountain in the West Coast region of Tasmania, Australia. The mountain is situated in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Coast Track</span> Hiking trail in Southwest National Park, Tasmania, Australia

The South Coast Track is a bushwalking track located in the South Coast region of Tasmania, Australia. The 85-kilometre (53 mi) track traverses remote wilderness within the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site, and is managed as a wilderness walk. The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service recommend that experienced bushwalkers can take six-to-eight days to cover the track in one direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barn Bluff</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Barn Bluff is a mountain located in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia. The mountain is situated in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park at the junction of the easternmost points of the Murchison and Mackintosh river catchments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Thwaites</span>

John Barrass Thwaites (1902–1986) was a British Australian pioneer Tasmanian bushwalker and conservationist. He made lifelong contributions to the community through his work with the National Fitness Council, Hobart Walking Club, Youth Hostels of Australia and his service on several National Parks Boards. Thwaites Plateau near Federation Peak in Tasmania's South-West National Park is named after him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Pelion West</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount Pelion West is a mountain located in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia. The mountain is part of the Pelion Range and is situated within the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park at the easternmost boundary of the Murchison River catchment.

Evelyn Temple Emmett OBE (1871–1970) was the first Director of the Tasmanian Government Tourist Bureau and a founder of the Hobart Walking Club He actively promoted skiing and bushwalking in the state and served on several National Park boards. Several Tasmanian features are named after him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Pelion East</span> Mountain in Tasmania, Australia

Mount Pelion East is a mountain located in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia. The mountain is situated within the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelion Gap</span> Mountain pass in Tasmania, Australia

Pelion Gap is the mountain pass between Mount Doris and Mount Ossa to the south and Mount Pelion East to the north through which the Overland Track in Tasmania passes.

Mount Thetis is a mountain in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania, Australia. It is part of the Pelion Range and is situated within the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It is a major feature of the national park, and is a popular venue with bushwalkers and mountain climbers.

Mount Achilles is a mountain that is part of the Du Cane Range, located in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania, Australia. With an elevation of 1,353 metres (4,439 ft) above sea level, the peak is the 46th highest mountain in Tasmania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Pelion Hut</span>

New Pelion Hut is the largest alpine hut in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, Australia

Old Pelion Hut is an alpine hut located in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. It was built for the Mount Pelion Copper Mining Company at around 1936.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterfall Valley Hut</span>

Waterfall Valley Hut is located in the Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania, Australia. It is the most northerly of six overnight huts located along the Overland Track. The current rendition of the hut was opened in 2020. It sleeps up to 34 people across three different rooms. There is also a fourth room which houses tables and bench seats for cooking and eating, and a wet area for leaving gear. It is heated by a small gas heater.

The Pelion Range is a mountain range in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skiing in Tasmania</span>

Skiing in Tasmania takes place in the high country of the state of Tasmania, Australia, during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Cross country skiing is possible within the Tasmanian Wilderness and two small downhill ski-fields have been developed at Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson.

References

  1. ↑ Bhole, Aneeta (18 July 2017). "Overland Track hikers told to be prepared as thousands book for six-day walk". ABC News . Australia. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Lake Saint Clair | lake, Tasmania, Australia". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  3. 1 2 "The 10 best treks in the world". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  4. ↑ "10 great hikes in Australia". CNN Travel. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  5. ↑ "Overland Track:Huts and camping". Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service.
  6. ↑ "Cradle Mountain Run". Australian Ultra Runners Association. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Byers, Michael Charles (1996). Tourism and bushwalking in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park: Context, characteristics and impacts (PDF) (Masters). The University of Tasmania.
  8. ↑ Bain, Andrew; et al. (2006). Walking in Australia (5 ed.). Lonely Planet. pp. 214–228. ISBN   978-1-74059-310-6.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Overland Track: Draft Recreation Zone Plan 2006". Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania.
  10. ↑ "Overland Track: Report 2013-2014". Tasmanian Government. 2013.
  11. 1 2 Dixon, Grant (2017). "A longitudinal study of backcountry track and campsite conditions on the Overland Track, Tasmania, Australia" (PDF). Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 19: 25–36. doi:10.1016/j.jort.2017.05.002.
  12. ↑ "Walking Track MAnagement Strategy Tasmania National Parks and Reserves 2011-2020" (PDF). Parks and Wildlife Tasmania.
  13. ↑ Sprawson, Warwick (2010). The Overland Track: Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair: A Complete Guide to Walking, Flora, Fauna and History. Red Dog Books. ISBN   9781742591094.
  14. ↑ https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/taiwanese-woman-27-endures-two-nights-in-tasmanian-wilderness-after-breaking-ankle-at-the-gap-in-cradle-mountain-national-park/news-story/8d2c9418076e6c5b3d259e7908d17258 [ bare URL ]
  15. ↑ "Chinese man dies on the Overland track". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 21 February 2014.
  16. ↑ Olivia McTaggart. "Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest)" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "Parks & Wildlife Service - Planning". www.parks.tas.gov.au.
  18. ↑ "Bushwalking - Tasmania Cradle Mountain Weather". www.john.chapman.name.
  19. ↑ "Climate Statistics for Cradle Valley, Tasmania" . Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  20. ↑ "Climate Statistics for Lake St. Clair National Park, Tasmania" . Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  21. ↑ "IBA: Cradle Mountain". Birdata. Birds Australia. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  22. ↑ "Daily Walk Notes". Parks and Wildife Service Tasmania.
  23. ↑ Leah McBey (4 August 2018). "Tasmanias intriguing button grass mystery". The Advocate.
  24. ↑ "Food Raiders of the Overland Track". 14 April 2014.
  25. ↑ Mallick, Stephen A.; Driessen, Michael M. (2003). "Feeding of wildlife: How effective are the 'Keep Wildlife Wild' signs in Tasmania's National Parks?". Ecological Management and Restoration. 4 (3): 199–204. Bibcode:2003EcoMR...4..199M. doi:10.1046/j.1442-8903.2003.00157.x.
  26. ↑ "Walking Notes: Cooking and Food Tips". Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. 2003.
  27. ↑ S. Warren Carey. "Geology of Tasmania" (PDF). Tas.gov.
  28. 1 2 3 I.B. Jennings. "Geology of the Cradle Mountain Reserve" (PDF). p. 74.
  29. 1 2 "Formation of Tasmania:Times and Process". Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. 2010.
  30. ↑ "Australian Hiker | The Overland Track TAS (65 -125 km)".
  31. ↑ "Going weak at the knees". Traveller. 25 September 2011.
  32. ↑ "Traveller Stories: Walking The Overland Track". 4 February 2016.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Overland Track". Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania. 10 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "Overland Track Booking". Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  35. ↑ "Dove Lake Cradle Mountain Bushwalk Overland Track Tasmania Lake St. Clair National Park Bushwalking". www.bushwalktasmania.com.
  36. ↑ "Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park Map". Information and Land Services: Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water. 2005.
  37. ↑ JORDAN ABELL (23 January 2015). "Overland Track run is like no other". The Advocate. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  38. ↑ HAMISH GEALE (5 February 2017). "Full field tackles Overland Track at Cradle Mountain Run". Examiner.
  39. ↑ "Cradle Event to test 60 runners". The Advocate. February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  40. ↑ "Cradle Mountain Run" . Retrieved 26 February 2018.