Overland Track Tour, Tasmania

For SINGLE TRAVELLERS 40 years and over
Saturday 20 - Friday 26 March 2010 (7 days)

Itinerary

TOUR OPERATOR: Tasmanian Expeditions

There are 5 places (of the total 10 places) on this trip reserved for A Rendezvous for Singles community and therefore the trip is not exclusive to A Rendezvous for Singles.  The trip may also confirm more or less than 5 people from A Rendezvous for Singles community subject to demand and availability.

WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY
Tents are lightweight, 2 person, bushwalking tents (twin share). They provide each occupant with a door and vestibule for ease of use. They are high quality, distinguished brand (Macpac, Salewa or Wilderness Equipment) tents suitable for the range of conditions we may encounter during the trek. They weigh approximately 3.6kg and can be divided evenly to be carried by each occupant.  Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone you will share a tent with someone of the same sex. This usually sorts itself out naturally. If numbers are uneven you will have the choice to carry your own tent or share with someone of the opposite sex.

The items commonly differentiating a heavier from a lighter pack are toiletries and spare cotton clothing, both of which we recommend you leave out. Your guide will conduct a thorough gear check to ensure you are not carrying too little or too much!

ACCOMMODATION ON TOUR
We use lightweight, 2 person, bushwalking tents (twin share). They provide each occupant with a door and vestibule for ease of use. They are high quality, distinguished brand (Macpac, Salewa or Wilderness Equipment) tents suitable for the range of conditions we may encounter during the trek. They weigh approximately 3.6kg and can be divided evenly to be carried by each occupant.  Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone you will share a tent with someone of the same sex. If numbers are uneven you will have the choice to carry your own tent or share with someone of the opposite sex.

Day 1 Launceston to Cradle Mountain NP        

Today we begin our journey to Cradle Mountain.   We meet at Mountain Designs Equipment Shop at 1pm for a thorough group briefing and gear check. We then transfer up to our cabins at Cradle Mountain, taking approximately 3 hours including a mid journey leg stretch in Sheffield - Tassie's town of murals.  

On arrival you will have time to relax & organise your gear while your guides prepare a feast for dinner.  Tonight we sleep in the comforts of our warm and cosy cabins, well fed, rested and ready for the start of our trek tomorrow.

MEALS: Dinner

Day 2 Distance 10km + Side trips         
Walking Time 5 hours + side trips
Dove Lake to Waterfall valley

Your guides will have you up early this morning for breakfast and any last minute packing.  We drive the short distance down to Dove Lake where our Overland Track Trek begins.  We spend the morning walking up to the top of the Cradle Plateau where we are rewarded with views of Dove Lake below. After enjoying lunch we may opt for a side trip, weather and time permitting, to the craggy summit of Cradle Mountain before making our way to Waterfall Valley for our first night under the stars. 

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Distance 8km                                      
Walking Time 3 hours
Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere

Today we continue south from Waterfall Valley to Lake Windermere. A leisurely day that offers time for a side trip past the diggings of Joseph Will a coal prospector in the 1800's to Innes Falls. At Lake Will we will have the opportunity for a relaxing lunch on its sandy shores. Returning to our packs we head back across the rolling button grass plains towards our campsite at Lake Windermere. We spend the afternoon relaxing, taking in the fabulous views and maybe go for a refreshing swim in the lake.  

 MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Distance 17km                       
Walking Time 7 hours + side trips
Lake Windermere to Pelion Plains     

Today is a wild day of moorlands and mountain views. Our morning takes us across Pine Forest Moore offering spectacular views across the Forth River Valley to the heights of Mount Oakleigh and to today's destination, Pelion Plains, at its base.  We descend around Mount Pelion West to a popular lunch spot at Frog Flats. Our afternoon takes us up onto Pelion Plains with marvellous views of fluted Mount Oakleigh and some of the biggest wombats our guides have seen in the park!!! Our main food drop is hidden not far from here and your guides will make time to collect supplies.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Distance 9km + side trips          
Walking Time 5 hours + side trips
Pelion Plains to Kia Ora

From camp we continue walking south and the view opens up to reveal Cathedral Mountain and Pelion East on our left, followed by Mount Ossa on our right.  We rest at the saddle (1113 meters) between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa (1617m).  In fine weather, climbing Mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak is without a doubt one of the highlights of the Overland Track. With magnificent views in all directions we continue south into beautiful Pinestone Valley.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Distance 10km + side trips         
Walking Time 4 hours + side trips
Kia Ora to Windy Ridge

Today we walk through towering rainforests of Leatherwood and Sassafras tress, heading towards three of Tasmania's largest and most spectacular waterfalls.  The first we visit is Ferguson Falls, named after a former ranger at Lake St. Clair followed by Dalton Falls.  The third of these large falls is Hartnett Falls, once again named after the eccentric bushman with the bowler hat Paddy Hartnett. We make camp in the afternoon at Windy Ridge. 

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Distance 9km                                       
Walking Time 3 hours
Windy Ridge to Lake St Clair

Today we pack our backpacks for the final day on the track, which takes us through dry sclerophyll forest toward the shores of Lake St Clair. As we near the lake we can gaze up to the peaks of the Labyrinth and look forward to majestic Mount Olympus.

We then catch a 30 minute ferry across Lake St Clair, the deepest natural lake in the southern hemisphere, providing a spectacular conclusion to our Overland Track Trek as we look back upon the mountains we've travelled through. After some time to inspect the visitor centre and indulge in a picnic lunch we board the bus for our return drive across Tassie's Central Plateau to Launceston. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in Launceston at approx 5pm.

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch