6 days in  Tasmania, Australia- 5/11- 5/16/2024

5 day tour of Tasmania

Day 3 of 5 - Overland track, Cradle Mountain-5/14/2024

From the Wombat Peak we are now making our descent by following the Overland Track which is one of Tasmania iconic trail, passing through alpine plains, glacial valleys, and ancient rainforests.  As we passed Crater Lake, the descent offers some of the most striking alpine scenery. The trail winds down through a mix of pencil pines, pandanis, and snow gums, with moss-covered rocks and trickling streams from the mountain slopes.

As we made our way down from Wombat Peak, the trail became quite narrow and uneven, with large rocks scattered along the path.

Along the path, sections of wooden planks had been laid out to form steps, helping us climb the steeper parts of the trail. The ground was carpeted with golden leaves, a beautiful sign that autumn had arrived and adding a touch of warmth and color to the rugged alpine landscape.

I noticed that we were no longer looking down at Crater lake from above but almost at eye level with it, which meant we were definitely descending. The trail wound gently downhill, bringing us closer to the calm surface of Crater Lake surrounded by tall trees.

We are very close to the shore of the lake. Crater Lake is a cirque lake (or tarn), meaning it was carved out by a glacier that flowed downwards, leaving a deep, bowl-shaped basin with a high, steep back wall. We are now approaching the lowest side of that bowl.

We are now next to shore of the Lake, and I can see a huge fallen tree lying near the shore, its trunk partly submerged in the crystal-clear water of the lake.

Beautiful and very peaceful scenery to watch lake and the water is crystal clear.

 We have now reached the boat shed on Crater Lake which is a smaller and less famous structure than the one on Dove Lake, but it served a similar purpose. It was originally built to store rowboats used by early visitors and park rangers for patrolling and exploring Crater Lake before the hiking trails were developed.

Today, it’s mostly a historic remnant, blending beautifully into the surrounding alpine scenery. The shed sits quietly by the water, often reflected in the still surface of the lake,  a peaceful reminder of the park’s early exploration days.

We are at the end of the lake and the water is crystal clear.

The Crater Lake Boatshed is a rustic, and slightly weathered structure that adds a perfect historical touch to the glacial landscape, and this area is a great spot to pause and enjoy the surrounding.

The scenery is really beautiful, the track is surrounded by shrubs with Fall Colors, Pencil Pines, and surrounded by mountains.

The descent wound through rugged terrain surrounded by alpine plants and mossy boulders, making the walk both challenging and incredibly scenic. Each step required careful footing, especially on the damp stones from the previous day’s rain.

Crater Creek is a stream running down from Crater Lake and is the primary outflow for Crater Lake.

The creek flows steeply down the northern side of the Lake, which is the exact route the Overland Track takes as it descends toward Ronny Creek.

Standing dead trees that been stripped of bark and weathered by the harsh alpine sun, wind, and frost, leaving behind a hard, dry, grey, sun-bleached driftwood-like trunk. Sometimes, the dead wood of the native conifers, particularly the Pencil Pine can remain standing for centuries.

Following the pathway...

We are now entering the main Cradle Valley floor, which is much more sheltered and forested than the high peaks. The scenery is transitioning from the alpine zone into a more classic sub-alpine forest. The steep, rocky slopes give way to a gentler, more open valley.

To get to the Crater Falls the steps are carefully constructed to minimize impact. In this area, the ground is often wet, rocky, and surrounded by fragile, mossy vegetation and cool-temperate rainforest. The stairs and built-in steps ensure hikers don't widen the track, preventing erosion and protecting the lush forest ecosystem around the falls.

The significant volume and force of the water flowing over the rocks is due to the fact that the entire Crater Lake is draining through Crater Creek at this point. After rain or snowmelt, the torrent is impressive, highlighting the raw energy that carved this landscape. The striking red or orange-red growth you see on the wet rocks and in the splash zones is a phenomenon commonly found in these pristine, mineral-rich environments.

The sheer density of the bright green moss clinging to the rocks is a clear sign that we are in a cool-temperate rainforest microclimate. The constant spray, moisture, and shade from the surrounding trees and steep banks create the perfect conditions for these primitive, water-loving plants to thrive.

They did such a wonderful job building the walkway around to the falls.

When the stream water flows powerfully over the rocks, tumbles down the falls, or rushes over the steep, winding section of the creek, it violently mixes with air (it gets aerated). Just like shaking soapy water, this agitation causes the natural surfactants (tannins) to trap air bubbles, resulting in the formation of the white, bubbly foam on the surface.

There are so much foam on the surface.

Water running downstream.

 As we left Crater Falls, the scenery opened up into a wide, flat landscape filled with low bushes and scattered trees. A long wooden boardwalk stretched ahead, guiding us through the untouched wilderness.

We are now walking in the Crater Valley, a beautiful open section of the Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park that lies between Crater Lake and Dove Lake. In the Fall, the landscape turns especially stunning, with the low shrubs and grasses glowing gold and amber against the dark greens of the alpine trees.

Beautiful landscape.

As we got closer to the base, the landscape gradually opened up, the tall trees disappeared, leaving only low shrubs and alpine grasses spreading across the valley floor.

We are now at an area where there are multiple trails.  On the left is the Lake Lilla Track, ahead is a small bridge heading to Maryland track.

We’ve reached the base of the valley, where Ronny Creek flows gently through the open grassland. The clear water winds its way between patches of golden tussock and low shrubs, reflecting the soft light of the afternoon. It’s peaceful here, the sound of the creek blends with the rustling grass, and the view of the surrounding mountains makes this spot feel calm and timeless, a perfect way to end the walk from Crater Lake.

When I turned around, the view was breathtaking, the long wooden pathway stretched far into the distance, disappearing into the golden valley like an endless trail through the wilderness. Behind it, the mountains rose gently around the area. It was one of those quiet, perfect moments where the vastness of nature made everything feel calm and infinite.

A quick picture with Julio an Helen (both are part of our group).

Panoramic view of the valley

We were lucky to spot a few wombats close to the boardwalk, grazing peacefully among the golden grass. They seemed completely unbothered by our presence, slowly munching on the vegetation as they wandered around.

Seeing these round, furry creatures in their natural habitat added a special touch to the serene landscape, a perfect reminder of Tasmania’s wild and untouched beauty.

We’ve reached the end of the Overland Track, where a small clearing marks the finish.

The half-circle of rock pillars near the Cradle Mountain Visitor Center is a symbolic installation representing the seven main geological regions of Tasmania. Each stone was carefully selected from a different part of the island, showcasing the diverse types of rock that make up Tasmania’s ancient landscape. The arrangement forms a semi-circle to reflect the connection between people, land, and time, and it’s meant to welcome visitors while grounding them in the deep natural history of the island.

It is an artistic and educational piece,  a reminder that every part of Tasmania’s wilderness, from Cradle Mountain to the coast, is shaped by millions of years of geological evolution.

We are now heading toward the visitor center.

The Cradle Mountain Visitor Center has a striking, modern design that blends beautifully with the surrounding alpine landscape. The building is shaped with curved, flowing lines, almost like waves or the contours of the nearby mountains.

The walk we completed was a classic, full-day experience at Cradle Mountain, undertaken as a group tour. Starting at Ronny Creek, a well-known trailhead, the route ascended to Wombat Peak, providing elevated great views, especially towards Dover lake, Lake Lilla, and Crater Lake, and the valleys, Next we started our descent following the Overland Track back down. This all-day journey included traversing a cool temperate forest, passing the picturesque Crater Falls, and culminated with a memorable sighting of a wombat near the track in the grassy valley.

Group Dinner

Following our full-day hike at Cradle Mountains, Tom drove our group to Launceston where we will stay overnight.

After resting a bit at our lodging, the group met up for a relaxing dinner in town. Having already spent three days together, you enjoyed each other's company and the shared meal allowed the group to bond even more over the unforgettable day spent in the Tasmanian wilderness.

NEXT... Day 4-Cataract Gorge Reserve, Launceston