The Overland Track – Day 1

Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley:

The trip always starts with a pre – tour gear check the day before in Launceston at the Macpac store. Our guides methodically go through the guests gear, accessing the suitability and giving advice on what to omit or add according to the forecast for the coming 6 days.

Our shuttle bus departs Launceston at 0700am and heads to Cradle Mountain, with a short comfort stop at Sheffield on the way. Once at Cradle Mountain, Overland Track passes are obtained, then its a further 5km down Dove Lake Rd to our departure point at Waldheim.

Leaving Waldheim, the track winds up to Crater Lake and the boat shed then siddles around the lake to a saddle overlooking the Wombat Pool, Lake Lilla and Dove Lake.

At the end of the saddle is a steep climb of stairs, followed by a bit of chain work, finds us at Marion’s lookout and a stunning view of Cradle Mountain. That’s the hard uphill done for the day, then it is on to Kitchen Hut. Along the way, amazing views of Barn Bluff are offered.

Kitchen Hut was built by the Connell family, Lionel Connell was the first Park Ranger when the Park was declared a Wildlife Reserve in 1922.

From Kitchen Hut we trek around Cradle Cirque and the descent into Waterfall Valley. All up it takes between 5 – 7 hours on day 1 over approximately 11km

The commercial camp at Waterfall Valley is nestled in the forest and camping is on raised tent platforms and a sheltered kitchen is provided. Tomorrow it is off to Lake Windermere via Lake Bill.