6
Moderate to Challenging
Activities
  • 6 days trekking with a full pack
Accommodation
  • 5 nights camping
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days$3295AUD

View Inclusions
Trip Code: SOG9819

Trip highlights

  • Join fellow HCS legends for a once-in-a-lifetime winter challenge through Tasmania’s most iconic wilderness
  • Cold trails, hot meals, warm laughs - ending each day at a scenic wilderness camp with all the support from the Tas Ex guide team
  • Hike Tasmania’s iconic Overland Track through World Heritage wilderness in Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park
  • Summit Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt Ossa (weather permitting), for snow-dusted views you'll never forget

Welcome to the Overland Track – Tasmania’s most legendary multi-day hike, turned up a notch for winter and made just for the Hike Club Social crew.

In winter, the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park transforms into a rugged alpine wilderness, where icy peaks, frosted forests and frozen tarns create a surreal backdrop for one of Australia’s most iconic treks.

This special Hike Club Social edition demands grit, fitness and respect for the elements. It’s no walk in the park – expect snow, cold nights and the kind of challenge that leaves you feeling strong, capable and alive. But you’re not doing it alone. With your HCS crew and expert local guides by your side, every step is supported, safe and seriously memorable.

Our winter Overland itinerary is built from decades of experience leading expeditions across Tasmania. You’ll be supported by expert guides who know this trail in all seasons. They’ll manage the risks, guide you safely, and teach you how to move efficiently through snow country.

If you’re ready to level up your hiking game and take on Tasmania’s Overland Track in full winter mode – let’s go where the wild things are!

Activities:

Carbon Footprint

19kg of CO2-e PP per day

(93kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Itinerary

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Let the adventure begin! After meeting your guides and crew at the Grand Chancellor (7:45am) or Penny Royal (8:00am), we hit the road for the 2.5 hour drive to Waldheim and step onto the trail. Today’s walk climbs past frozen alpine lakes and tarns (small mountain pools formed by glacial activity) as we make our way to the top of the Cradle Plateau. Winter transforms the landscape into something wild and spectacular, and if the skies are clear, the views across Dove Lake and Tasmania’s rugged interior are seriously worth the effort. We roll into Waterfall Valley for our first night deep in the national park, where a hot, hearty dinner and warm camp vibes are the perfect end to Day 1. Walking Distance: 10km| Walking Time: 5 hours. *You will need to arrive in Launceston the day before your trip, ensuring that you arrive in time to attend the 2:00pm pre-trip briefing.

Meals:  L,D

Today’s a cruisier walk after yesterday’s intro to alpine hiking. We continue south from Waterfall Valley, weaving through native grass plains with plenty of time to soak it all in. A scenic side trip takes us past the old coal diggings of Joseph Will, an 1800s prospector, then and onward to the frozen cascade of Innes Falls. If conditions allow, we’ll break for lunch at Lake Will for an otherworldly picnic spot. From here, it’s a gentle return to the main trail as we cruise toward camp at Lake Windermere. There’s time to kick back, recharge and take in those big wintery views. Walking Distance: 8km + side trips | Walking Time: 3 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s walk brings serious wilderness vibes. We load up our packs and head out across the vast Pine Forest Moor, with huge views across the Forth River Valley and up to Mt Oakleigh, standing tall above our destination for the night. We descend around the flanks of Mount Pelion West. From here, the trail climbs gently through dense rainforest, with towering myrtles and ancient sassafras guiding us toward the wide open Pelion Plains and settle in for the night, a truly special spot surrounded by peaks and starlight. Walking Distance: 17km | Walking Time: 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we head deeper of Tasmania’s winter wilderness, walking through lush Myrtle forest and past the silhouettes of Pandani palms, found nowhere else on Earth. The trail climbs steadily toward the saddle between Mount Pelion East and Mount Ossa, sitting at 1113m. Weather and conditions depending, we’ll have the chance to summit Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s tallest peak at 1617m. It’s a challenging ascent, but on a clear winter’s day, the 360 views across snow-dusted ridgelines and remote valleys are incredible. From the saddle, we descend into the open expanse of Pinestone Valley, setting up camp beside a creek with the dramatic spires of Cathedral Mountain rising in the distance, a wild and unforgettable place to spend the night, a dramatic backdrop for another unforgettable night in the wild. Walking Distance: 9km + side trips | Walking Time: 5 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s walk winds through towering rainforest filled with leatherwood and sassafras, with snow dusted trees and mossy trails adding to the atmosphere. We’ll visit three of Tassie’s most spectacular waterfalls, starting with Fergusson Falls, then Dalton Falls, and finally the dramatic Hartnett Falls. The trail then climbs to Du Cane Gap, before descending into camp at Bert Nichols, tucked deep in the forest. Walking Distance: 10km + side trips | Walking Time: 4 hours + side trips

Meals:  B,L,D

It’s the last leg of the adventure, and what a way to finish. We load up our packs one final time and hike through mixed eucalyptus and rainforest, heading for the shores of liyawulina / Lake St Clair. From here, we hop on a 30 minute ferry across the lake, soaking up epic views of the terrain we’ve conquered over the past week. After a celebratory lunch and time to explore the Lake St Clair, we hit the road for the return journey to Launceston, arriving around 5:00pm. Walking Distance: 9km | Walking Time: 3 hours

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

  • Hike Cub Social hat & tee - valued at over $100
  • 2 professional wilderness guides
  • 5 nights camping
  • 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, snacks & hot drinks
  • Transport by private minibus
  • Lake St. Clair ferry passage
  • National Park fees
  • Overland Track Permit
  • Waterproof jacket, overpants, micro-spikes & gaiters
  • Tent, backpack, sleeping bag, inner sheet & inflatable sleeping mat
  • Group camping equipment including all cooking & eating equipment
  • Emergency communications & group first aid kit

  • Travel before and after the trip commences
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature: alcoholic beverages, car parking etc
  • Travel insurance

About Your Leader

Hike Club Social Logo

This trip is a Hike Club Social exclusive, created especially for our community of adventure lovers who like their hikes with great company, and zero pressure. Whether you’ve been on one of our local walks or are joining your first event, this is a chance to take the Hike Club Social vibe beyond our backyard, exploring new trails, sharing unforgettable views, and connecting with like minded legends. Expect relaxed, inclusive energy, plenty of laughs, and the kind of good times that only come from getting out in nature together.

Accommodation

Wilderness Camping

Each of 5 nights of the tour will be spent camping along the track at designated commercial campsite areas. These areas have timber platforms for our tents to be pitched on and nearby rainwater tanks and composting toilet facilities.

Suitability

Moderate to Challenging

6

This adventure involves trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. You carry a full pack approx. 14-18kg that fluctuates throughout the week as we trek between food drops. Be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Walks can be steep in sections, and some ascents may involve sections of scrambling. Walking in snowy conditions can make the walking harder, taking the trip grading towards moderate to challenging. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weight (up to 18kgs). You should walk regularly with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best preparation for your trek is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions.

Departure dates


Priceper person from

$3295AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Single Tent SupplementAUD$50
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Hike Club Social x The Overland Track Winter Edition trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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You will need to have a good level of fitness for the Overland Track Winter Trek. You will be trekking in remote areas for up to 6 to 7 hours a day. You will be walking with a full pack (up to 18kg). You will need the mental fitness to walk through cold and potentially very snowy conditions. If you have any questions about your suitability please give us a call and speak with one of our staff members. We are more than happy to discuss additional information about what you can expect.

We suggest asking your pre/post tour accommodation about car parking or there are secure carparks in Launceston where you can pre-book a spot.

As the Overland Track is renowned as being a true wilderness walk, you cannot expect phone reception while on the trail. For trekkers who summit Mount Ossa and Cradle Mountain, there is sometimes sporadic phone reception. However, this cannot be relied upon. Our guides carry emergency satellite phones which allow them to communicate with our base in Launceston if any emergencies arise. Rest assured you are not completely alone in the wilderness.

This trek commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing at 2pm on the day before departure. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing and that you bring along all of the gear/clothing required for your expedition with you.

For your expedition you will need to carry all equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 75-90litres in capacity. Depending on the quantity of personal gear and toiletries the average pack weight will be between 14-18kg.

Unfortunately there are no charging facilities at any of the huts along the Overland Track. We recommend bringing extra batteries or solar chargers for your phones. To conserve battery power on your mobile devices, turn your phones into flight mode.

You can either leave your excess luggage at the hotel that you stay at the night prior to the trip beginning, or alternatively, we can store it for you at our office in Launceston.

You will be returned to your accommodation at approximately 5pm on the final day of the trek.

Yes, you will be provided with all of your gear for the trek at the briefing and pack your backpack and leave it with the guides for Day 1 of the trip

We highly recommend that you have high cut hiking boots for this trail. There are lots of slippery tree roots in the rainforest areas, so ankle support will be beneficial. Also, you may encounter mud along the way, so if they are waterproof, you will hopefully have nice dry feet at the end of the day.

Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability in mud or slippery tree roots. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them before you head out on the hike.

The day pack that we recommend for the Overland Track should be a small compressible day pack that folds down to as small as your hand if not smaller. This is only to be used when you do side trips, as you will leave your 70-90L backpack at the trail head and return to it after the side trip. It is not mandatory that you have the day pack, but we find that it is convenient to have one. An example of what we suggest for a daypack is the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack

Unfortunately there are no shower facilities on the camping expeditions along the Overland Track. For those who are concerned about washing, the closest you’ll come to a bath are the alpine lakes that are accessible each day, where you can have a quick refreshing dip. However, for a real cleanse we recommend you bring baby wipes (remember to take them out with you as well!).

Tasmania prides itself on clean pure water and most of the water along the track is safe to drink without purifying. Fresh rainwater tanks supplied by Parks and Wildlife can be found at each of the campsites, and you can also fill up your water bottle at many of the springs along the way.

You’d be surprised how much food you’ll eat after a day’s trekking along the Overland Track. Our guides are experienced when it comes to preparing meals along the Overland Track. Thanks to a food drop, we are able to have fresh produce every night along the trail. Lunches usually consist of vegetable wraps with hams, chicken or salami, while evening meals can vary from curries, stroganoff and pastas. Deserts include improvised apple pie, and even a chocolate mousse if you’re lucky! Start your day with a hearty porridge or muesli, with snacks throughout the day including fruit and nuts, muesli bars and some fruit. As this is a full pack adventure, each trekker is required to carry a portion of the group’s food, whether it be a couple of cucumbers, lettuce heads or a bag of pasta. All types of dietary requirements are catered for, including vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free, nut free etc.

The terrain is rugged and remote. Tracks may be rough and steep in sections. Over the trip you will walk along boardwalks, up and down steps, through overgrown forests, through muddy sections and if you choose some of the side trips you will scramble over rocks. Snowy conditions will make the walking more challenging.

Trip reviews

Videos

Overland Track Guided Trek - What You Need To Know

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.