Review: Tasmania Overland Track Guided Tours in Huts!

Are you an hiking lover after a multi-day experience with a touch of comfort? Then the Overland Track Guided Tours in Huts should be on the top of your list! With its spectacular alpine views, this guided trek takes adventurers into one of Australia’s most treasured destinations.

Embarking this track was a personal challenge for me that required 6 months of meticulous preparation and physical endurance. However, the rewards were extraordinary, as the rugged beauty of the UNESCO Tasmanian wilderness unfolded before me.

Read on below as I dive deeper into my review of the tour, pros & cons, what to expect with the walking trail and the Hut accommodation, and see if it’s something that interests you.

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Pros/Cons: Overland Track Guided Tours in Huts

Let’s get something straight – I’m not a big camping fan, nor am I used to hiking with camping gear. Not to mention being turned off having to carry my gear & food every day for a week.

Being a novice to long distance hiking or the Overland Track, I wanted to concentrate more on making it through this incredible walk & enjoying the scenery.

That’s when I found the Tasmanian walking company, that had the specially set up Overland Track huts along the way. So, I consequently, jumped on the chance!

I must admit the price was a little more expensive than what I would typically spend on a hiking experience, but worth it for what you were provided.

Before I go into more detail about the ins and outs of my experience, or what you need to know. I wanted to provide some quick reference Pro’s and Cons of the Overland Track Guided Tours below, to help you decide.

✅ Pros!

• Stay in private eco-huts with comfy beds (2 person rooms), hot showers, and heating.
• All meals included, with gourmet food and Tasmanian wine every night!
• Lighter packs – no need to carry tents, food, or cooking gear.
• Expert guides handle logistics, safety, and detailed information on sites.
• Epic scenery of Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair without sacrificing comfort
• Meet like-minded people and share the experience.

❌ Cons!

• It can be an expensive cost for a walking experience (more than AUD 4,500+ per person)
• Fixed schedule, Less rugged/independent, or not as raw as self-guided camping.
• Fixed itinerary and group pace – less flexibility or solitude and no option to spend more time at one site, more than others.

If this situation entices you, then please read on for more detail on every aspect.

My Overall Review

Above all, my Tasmanian walking company review on the Overland Track was extremely positive. I would recommend this to anyone who wants the Multi-day hiking experience, with an added level of comfort. (Especially in an area that receives a lot of snow and extreme weather conditions.)

Please click here for PDF the Map of the Overland Track walking trail!

What were my preparations?

Truthfully, I was training for 6 months prior to my booked hike, even though I walked a lot already.

Since I live in Brisbane, this involved walking 5km every morning before work and trekking uneven terrain from 4klms to 10klms at Mt Coot-Tha Summit Hike & Mt Ngungun Walking Trail. Along with longer flat walks on weekends and adding dive weights to my backpack.

While professional hikers might carry little more than a backpack and water, those looking to tackle the trek should have moderate fitness levels, and prior training definitely helps!

Regular walks can help strengthen muscles, contribute to better cardiovascular health, and generally make the journey easy to tackle. Additionally, being used to hiking and elevated climbing, but also, carrying a backpack with at least 10kgs.

How difficult is it?

You’ll be trekking anything between 10 to 15 kilometres per day, which can seem intimidating for some. However, the guided tours offer enough rest periods and options throughout the journey, which can make it easier.

The most elevation you’ll find is on the first day and climbing to the summit of Cradle Mountain. Hikers will find it quite steep, so it’s best to come prepared and train for this beforehand.

After that, you had days of walking through wet tree roots, which rolled my ankles and made it slippery in the wet.

It’s definitely a heart-pumping walk in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park! For around 6 days, you’ll be trekking through some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, bursting with wildlife.

This includes potential encounters with wombats, wallabies, echidnas, and a variety of birds. Also, with an elevation level that changes throughout certain areas, it is sure to be a challenge but a rewarding one at that!

There were two guides (one in the front and one at the back) ensuring that you were staying on the track, providing rest breaks, and teaching you about the local flora and fauna.

What Grade is the Track?

The Overland Track is listed as a Grade 4 Track at 65 kilometres long in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.

Grade 4 means experienced hikers should take heed, and this is a trail for the tough and intrepid. It will be long, rugged, and steep, with sparse signage or navigational support. So, come prepared with a need to call upon your technical abilities as well as your rock scrambling skills while traversing rivers.

How Long does it take?

You’ll be walking in a north-to-south direction and my specific guided tour took 5 nights and 6 days, as they stay in purpose-built huts with a strict schedule with new visitors daily.

Fun Fact: Know that an unbelievable record was set by Andy Kromar at the Cradle Mountain Run. He was able to run the Track in an astonishing 7 hours and 25 minutes!

Cabin or Huts

This Tasmanian Walking Company has been operating for about the last 30 years.

They have built five environmentally friendly huts along the track, estimating 10 km of walking daily.

The huts consist of comfortable basic necessities of food and shelter, but, more importantly, warmth. The weather can change dramatically on this track, but mostly it’s cold and wet. Therefore, the Huts allow you to shower, dry off and recover for the next day.

As you enter the huts, your boots, socks, gaiters, poles, and any wet weather gear are contained within the entrance. There are heaters in this room to dry your gear overnight, and kept separate from the lounge area and the Bedrooms. I think this helped with cleaning.

NOTE: You can only stay in the Private huts if you have purchased the Guided tour.

What are the sleeping quarters like?

The beds were basic, with a single foam mattress, sleeping bag, and a pillow. When you check in for the hike, you’re provided with a sheet and pillowcase to carry with you everyday. Plus, they will have you sharing in two’s (more than likely your hiking buddy).

You’ll make the bed with your own sheet/ pillow case, remove it the next day, and take it to the next hut. This will be handed in for washing at the end of the guided tour.

Guess What? You’re even given a hot water bottle to curl up with ……. and trust me, It helps!

Are there Showers?

Although the showers were eco-friendly and cut at 5 minutes, they were hot and brilliant for relaxing those tired muscles.

What food is supplied?

The cuisine included in the Overland Track huts was SUPERB!

They ensure their guests are well-fed and satisfied each day while they explore the spectacular wilds of Tasmania. This features 2 to 3-course meals cooked by the guides, an excellent continental breakfast in the mornings and a simple lunch box with Trail Mix snacks to munch on throughout the day. 

The sit down meal at dinner time allowed you to chat with the other hikers and connect with like-minded people. There’s even a selection of Tasmanian wines available for those who are old enough (18 is the legal age in Australia)!

Can you get lost?

Though the Track is 65 km of wilderness, don’t be tempted to think you can get lost exploring. On the other hand, don’t expect every step of your journey to be clearly marked.

That said, it’s generally quite clear where you should go, and the track is easy to follow, as long as you just stick to the track and not venture off on wild tangents!

The track itself isn’t too complicated, and the navigation component can vary depending on the weather conditions or time of day.

How much water do you need to carry?

The general rule of thumb is 1 to 2 litres per day depending on the length and difficulty of your trek. Luckily, there are a few refilling stations along the way so you won’t have to lug around an overly heavy bag for the duration of your journey.

NOTE: Our 2nd and 3rd days consisted of snow, and I found that grabbing a handful of that, every chance I got was a brilliant way to stay hydrated.

What is the Day-By-Day tour schedule?

Day 1 – Waldheim to Barn Bluff Hut (Cradle Mountain)

The trek was a little tough on the first day, as this is when you’re doing most of the climbing and elevated hiking. Walking uphill has never been a massive issue for me. It’s probably going down, and the extra pressure on your knees that concerns me more.

Walking poles are a must on the entire trip to take pressure off the knees. Once at the top of Cradle Mountain, the views are spectacular, and I was fortunate to be here on a nice clear day (although windy).

Day 2 – Barn Bluff Hut to Pine Forest Moor Hut

Our second day consisted of waking through a winter wonderland with snow everywhere. It was incredibly beautiful, but did make for a wet and slippery walk.

We constantly stopped for photo opportunities that day, making the trip well worth it!

Day 3 to 5 – Pine Forest Moor Hut – Pelion Hut – Kia Ora Hut – Windy Ridge Hut

The following 3 days were spent walking in and out of the rainforest and climbing over tree roots that hurt my ankles. We saw a few waterfalls, climbed a few small hills, plenty of animals, the jagged spires of Mt Oakleigh and an optional side trip to Tasmania’s highest peak, Mt Ossa. 

Our boots and socks were wet and muddy all day, and it was always a nice feeling to see the next hut coming.

We were able to visit the public camping facility, which only reiterated that I had made the best choice to use private huts. It was also handy to have the guide close by for the history information when we visited other landmarks and older huts previously used in prior years.

Day 6 – Windy Ridge Hut to Lake St Clair

The last day consists of a few more boardwalks, a suspension bridge, and tracks ending at a boat ramp to take you across Lake St Clair to the information centre. Then a courtesy bus back to base camp in Launceston.

Where to Stay, Shoes, Packing list & Hire Vs Buy?

Where to Stay Before & After

You’ll start the tour from Launceston in Tasmania. It boasts a range of accommodation options for budget-conscious adventurers like me, such as cabins and parks, but I ended up choosing something convenient for the walk.

➡  Find Launceston Hotels HERE with Booking.com

Offering superb comfort and convenience within walking distance of Launceston’s city centre, The Sebel Hotel is ideal for those planning this hike, since you’re close to many cafés, restaurants, and attractions, and on the beautiful Tamar River. Apart from that, The Guided Tours has a courtesy bus to pick you up from here on your hiking day.

Alternative options would be the Red Feather Inn and The Quamby Homestead, but they have less conveniences available nearby.

What do you need to pack?

The First rule is “Less is better!” And anything you can do without for 6 days, leave it stored in their facility until you return (especially if you’re staying in Tasmania for longer).

Plus, you have the choice to hire some equipment like gaiters, over pants, head torches, walking poles, and a 50 Litre Backpack.

The following is what I survived on:

• Gore-Tex Jacket ( Provided as part of the tour)
• Backpack to carry all your gear for 6 days( 50 litre one provided)
• Backpack Rain Cover (provided with the tour)
• Hiking Footwear, or Hiking Boots(lace up and must be ankle-supporting)
• Polar fleece Jacket
• Wide-brimmed hat for complete sun protection, and Beanies
• Gloves (waterproof)
• Waterproof over pants ( Can be hired at a cost)
• Thermal, Thick breathable socks and band-aids to prevent blisters
• Gaiters ( Can be Hired at a cost)
• Thermal Shirt and Long Pants and Layered lightweight clothing
• Walking/Hiking Poles ( Can be hired at a cost & I used these a lot for stairs, rocks, and keeping your balance through creeks)
• Water bottle or inbuilt hydration pack. You need to carry between 1 to 2 litres each day.
• Torch (Can be hired at a cost & I used this in the evening to find my way around in the dark huts)
• Travel Lightweight towels for showers or swimming
• Clothes( T-shirts, Cargo pants, Underwear)
• Sleepwear
• Small Bag of toiletries & personal Medication / Sunscreen ( Some of these are provided on tour for showers and are ECO-Friendly)
• Phone/Camera & Portable Charger ( there is limited charging on the track, and it consisted of two USB ports shared between 10 Hikers)
• First Aid Kit ( just in case of small injury’s, scrapes or twisted ankles). However, you’ll find the guides will also carry a supply for this.

What Shoes do you need?

When considering your gear, one of the most important items is a good quality pair of ankle-supporting hiking shoes. In Fact, If you don’t have these, the guided tour company will not allow you to walk with them.

Know they are the experts to this hiking trail and expect they have seen there share of accidents with low quality gear.

As for my own personal experience, for 3 days of this hike, I felt like I was going to roll my ankles every hour. Therefore, I’m not sure I would have made it through without the ankle-supporting hiking shoes.

Although there are many lightweight styles available that could suffice in this situation, ankle-supporting boots are recommended for this difficult trail.

Tip: If you’re injured on this hike, the only way out is by Helicopter, which will cost thousands, so please make sure you have insurance.

Should you Hire or Buy gear?

As mentioned above, some of this gear can be supplied by the guided tour company, or you can hire it at a cost. If you’re not a regular hiker, then you might want to consider hiring the gear (especially if you don’t intend to use it again).

I chose to hire the backpack & waterproof cover, Gore-Tex jacket which was provided for free and part of the tour. I didn’t hire any of their other equipment and instead found lost-cost options at my local outdoor adventure store like Anaconda and Kathmandu.

My hiking shoes were my most significant cost at $200AUD, and I purchased them 6 months before to ensure I wore them in enough.

NOTE – I still used band-aids every day on my hike and managed without blisters.

Cost & National Park Permits!

Cost of the trip?

The cost of the Tasmanian walking company’s guided tour and accommodation on the Overland Track is around $4495.00AUD (Including GST). But, know that prices change with seasons, start date, days walking or last minute bookings.

When I first saw this price, I was like “not in a million years”, but when I started looking into other ways, I decided to give it a go. In the end, it was the best decision I ever made coming with the luxury of hot showers, a warm bed, and lovely food!

In the entire 6 days of trekking, there will be no opportunities to spend money in Cradle Mountain, or the Tasmanian Wilderness. However, you end your guided tour with a short boat ride across Lake St Clair, which brings to you to the tourist Information centre.

Here you have bathrooms, souvenirs, and a small café. While you’re waiting for the guided tour courtesy bus to pick you up, you can do a bit of shopping. Therefore, it’s always a great idea to carry a small amount of cash and a credit card.

Also, remember to snap a selfie picture here with the “I completed the Overland Track” Sign.

National Parks Permits?

In comparison, you don’t have to break the bank to experience this area. Tasmanian park permits are sold for $300AUD per Adult for the entire 65-kilometre trek. However, know that only 34 permits are sold each day.

This limits the numbers on the track, which books out months in advance.

Some pros to taking the trip on your own has options to extended side trips and a longer time on the entire Overland Track. This includes:

• Cradle Mountain Summit (1545 m)
• Barn Bluff (1559 m)
• Lake Will
• Old Pelion Hut
• Mount Oakleigh (1286m)​ 
• Mount Ossa (1617m)
• Mount Pelion East (1433m)
• D’Alton and Fergusson Falls
• Hartnett Falls 
• Pine Valley Hut

However, this means carrying your own food and camping gear for 5 to 10 nights.

The National Parks huts are available to stay in, but more like backpacker accommodations with bunk beds and open sharing. Therefore, expect to be kept awake by snorers and other noisy hikers, and more importantly, a bed is never guaranteed.

Car Parking & How cold it can get?

Where do you leave your Car?

Launceston will be your closest city, and generally, cars can be left in your provided accommodation. Just talk to them beforehand and discuss your arrangements and find your best solution.

Secondly, you can always chat with the Tasmanian Walking Company to find the options for the accommodation they are affiliated with. This includes the Red Feather Inn (Base Camp), The Quamby Homestead, and the Sebel Hotel in Launceston.

How Cold Does it get?

The Overland Track is renowned for its severe snow conditions in winter, but also its occasional snowfalls during the summer months. So make sure you pack extra layers and prepare yourself for any type of weather.

My hiking experience at the start of November saw

• the bright sun on day 1,
• then strong winds and pouring rain in the afternoon.
• We woke up on day 2 with a snowstorm
• and spent two days trekking through ice and sludge.

There was intermittent rain on the proceeding days and the forest floor was streaming with small creeks. This all means anything can happen, but you can have a look into the Average yearly conditions before booking your date!

Wrap Up & Read More!

Thanks for reading this blog today on the Overland Track Guided Tours in Huts Review. I felt I was a little under-prepared for what I was doing, but my friend and I managed to tick off one of Tasmania’s Bucket list items.

Not finished researching yet? Please find the rest of my Tasmania blurbs HERE for inspiration and planning.

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