Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Overland Track

The Overland Track is renowned as one of the great hikes of the world. The journey travels over the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania. It is a landscape that explores sharp dolerite mountains areas, lush rainforests and expansive button-grass plains. The track itself is a 65-km trip over six days in some of Australia’s best wilderness areas.

Over the January holidays, 10 Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award students embarked on the journey as part of their Adventurous Journey. With excited and tired eyes, the group departed Sydney bound for Launceston for final preparations for the trip.

Day 1 – Ronny Creek – Waterfall Valley Hut
With weary minds and heavy packs, the group left Ronny Creek for the first (and hardest!) day on the track. We travelled over the plains on the boardwalk throughout to Crater Falls and onwards to Crater Lake for magical alpine views. The group then climbed up the rocks and trail towards Marion’s Lookout, which overlooks the iconic Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain. The day continued on along the trail with views overlooking the journey ahead and with Barn Bluff by our side.

After a long and challenging first day, the group settled into camp with weary eyes.

Day 2 – Waterfall Valley Hut – Lake Windermere
Day 2 is the shortest day on the track, which came with some relief following the efforts of the previous day. The group continued along the trail among the other travellers, sharing the experience. One of the beauties of the Overland Track is the side track options to see mountains, rainfalls and lakes.

The group left our packs on the trail and headed off to Lake Will for an enjoyable lunch and swim under the expansive feeling of Barn Bluff. As the group rolled back onto the trail, we enjoyed the shorter walk towards Lake Windermere. Before we settled fully back into the night, the group went for another swim at Lake Windermere – still a very cold swim !

Day 3 – Lake Winderemere – Pelion Hut
Today’s hike was a long and consistent hike. Leaving Lake Windermere behind, the group travelled towards Pelion Hut. The leaders for the day (Stephanie and Raquel) did a great job of keeping the group moving through the 15km day hike. The highlights of the day were walking with Mt Pelion West in front of us – another of the beautiful mountains that make this journey so special and unique. With weary eyes, the group eventually made it to Pelion Hut where we recovered for the evening.

Day 4 – Pelion Hut – Kia Ora Hut
Day 4 presents a few options. Summit a mountain or enjoy the views from Pelion Gap. The group decided that they would embark on Mount Pelion East, which has a smooth and challenging climb up for some amazing views near the top. The leaders for the day were tasked with motivating, setting the pace and getting the group safely up the mountain. As the group climbed up, the landscape opened up with views stretching back to Cradle mountain and overlooking the rainforests and landscape ahead.

As the group descended back down the mountain, they took the time to ponder the journey ahead and see where they have come so far. The group then continued back down towards Kia Ora Hut for the evening.

Day 5 – Kia Ora Hut – Windy Ridge Hut
Waterfalls of the Mersey River Day! Today the landscape truly changed away from the alpine rocky mountains to the lush temperate rainforest. The trail winds its way through rainforest among the roots of the leatherwood trees. It feels as though we’ve entered a completely different world.

Today’s side tracks offered us Fergussen Falls and D’alton Falls. We were lucky enough to get very close to the waterfalls and even enjoy them on our own.

One of the beauties of getting out into nature is to experience it without distraction and have a ‘Nature Break.’ This is designed for silent time to simply listen closely, watch intentionally and feel peaceful with the place you’re in. We had a few very peaceful moments enjoying the waterfalls and following the trail of a drop of water as it travels along its water path.

As the group left these beautiful waterfalls, it was the last full day on the trail for the group.

Day 6 –Windy Ridge – Narcissus Hut/Ferry Dock
With a ferry booked for 9:30am and 10 kms of hiking ahead, the group awoke at 4:00am and were walking by 5:00am, under headtorch light. With focused minds, lighter packs and strong minds – the group headed out for the track.

The group walked smoothly and proudly on our last day of the hike. They have become very competent, and comfortable with this style of travel at this point and their previous days’ hard work has paid off. The group arrived at Narcissus Hut after three hours of solid walking and with plenty of time to relax before the ferry ride across Lake St-Clair.

As the ferry rolled into the jetty, there were screams of celebration and excitement for the wonderful accomplishment of the Overland Track.

Well done to the 10 students who successfully completed the journey and for some, the completion of their Gold Award. Congratulations!

Christopher Walker
Coordinator of Outdoor Education & Experiential Learning