Bushwalk Australia

G'day All,

I am planning to walk the OLT this summer and need some feedback from those who are experienced in walking this track.
This is what I am planning:

D1 : Ronny - Waterfall
D2 : Waterfall - Windermere (ST Barn Bluff & Lake Will/ Innes falls)
D3 & D4 : Windermere - New Pelion (Rest Day here, feedback on a better rest stop appreciated)
D5 : Pelion - Kia Ora (ST Ossa & Pelion East)
D6 : Kia Ora - Windy Ridge (ST Dalton, Fergusson, Hartnett Falls)
D7 : Windy Ridge - Pine Valley (ST Acropolis)
D8 : Pine Valley - Narcissus (ST Labyrinth Morning)
D9 : Narcissus - Cynthia Bay

A few questions:

1. What is the walk like around the lakes edge from Narcissus and is it doable in a day ?
2. What are the transport options from cynthia back to cradle? Links ? Timetables ?

Thank you in advance

Genesis

Seems completely do-able, but will depend on your fitness and willingness!

I haven't been up Ossa, but I did go up Pelion East. It took about three hours return (there was a bit of ice). It'd be a big day to do both, but as I say do-able. Also I did it in the shorter months, so in summer you'll have plenty of light.

You could either do one of them on your rest day at Pelion. Don't forget Mount Oakleigh, which is also a great trip (took me about 3.5-4 hours return). No where near as muddy as it was (they've put boarding down).

The walk around Lake St Clair is easy. But it's pretty boring (maybe it's just the end of the day). From Echo Point Hut, it took me about two and a bit hours.

Sounds pretty good.

I agree with Bumpingbill about Oakleigh. It is my favourite of all the Overland sidetrips.

Ossa and Pelion East can be done in a day fairly easily. I climbed them both from Pelion Hut on a hot summer day. From memory it took about 8 hours all up. It will be a big day, but if you are fit and willing you will have no issues.

If you really wanted to you could skip Windy Ridge and go straight to Pine Valley, its about an extra 2-3 hours. That gives you more time for the Acropolis.

Skipping Windy Ridge (Bert Nichols Hut) and going straight to Pine Valley has two benefits too:

1) You get to skip Windy Ridge
2) You get another night at Pine Valley.

Pine Valley hut was one of my favourites. Windy Ridge (Bert Nichols Hut) was one of my least favourite. I'm far from alone in that view, I'd imagine!

I agree Pine Valley Hut is really nice if not overcrowded also having stayed at both Windy Ridge Huts I believe the New one is far superior to the Old Cramped one where you were expected to sleep cheek and jowl to perfect strangers owing to the close sleeping area .I believe this new Hut is as good as New Pelion with more personal space and cooking area and if you were cold why not put on an other layer ,it was built to suit the terrain and take in the Vista I believe

bumpingbill wrote:Skipping Windy Ridge (Bert Nichols Hut) and going straight to Pine Valley has two benefits too:

1) You get to skip Windy Ridge
2) You get another night at Pine Valley.

Pine Valley hut was one of my favourites. Windy Ridge (Bert Nichols Hut) was one of my least favourite. I'm far from alone in that view, I'd imagine!

Bill,

Thanks for the tip, I have now changed my plan to get from Kia-Ora to Pine Valley and skip Windy Ridge. Then that afternoon get up to Labyrinth then the bag the Acropolis next morning before setting off for echo point.

Then from Echo point to Cynthia bay for pickup, I am reluctant to get the ferry from Narcissus as this is my first time on the OLT and want to "Complete" it at least once in its entirety

Cheers Genesis

Genesis wrote:I have now changed my plan to get from Kia-Ora to Pine Valley and skip Windy Ridge. Then that afternoon get up to Labyrinth then the bag the Acropolis next morning before setting off for echo point.

Then from Echo point to Cynthia bay for pickup, I am reluctant to get the ferry from Narcissus as this is my first time on the OLT and want to "Complete" it at least once in its entirety

This is a massive day you have planned

Kia Ora - Pine Valley 8-10 hours
Pine Valley - Acropolis Return 4-5 hours
Pine Valley - Echo Point 3 hours?

bumpingbill wrote:
Thanks for the tip, I have now changed my plan to get from Kia-Ora to Pine Valley and skip Windy Ridge. Then that afternoon get up to Labyrinth then the bag the Acropolis next morning before setting off for echo point.

Then from Echo point to Cynthia bay for pickup, I am reluctant to get the ferry from Narcissus as this is my first time on the OLT and want to "Complete" it at least once in its entirety

Cheers Genesis

From experience (July, 2015), I did Kia Ora to Pine Valley and it was about 22km (this did include sidetrips to the waterfalls between Kia Ora and Bert Nichols). I think it might be a bit ambitious to do the Labyrinth in the afternoon, You're probably more chance of doing one or the other the next morning and then heading to Echo Point. Pine Valley to Echo Point is about 2.5 - 3 hours. So you should have a good amount of time to do the Labyrinth or Acropolis.

Yeah, that's a massive day.

I was thinking more:


D6 : Kia Ora - Pine Valley
D7: Pine Valley explore (ST Acropolis/etc)
D8 : Pine Valley - Narcissus (ST Labyrinth Morning)
D9 : Narcissus - Cynthia Bay

Same total duration, but creates a longer day on D6 to give you more time around Acropolis/Labyrinth.

EDIT: Also Echo Point to Cynthia Bay only took me about 3 hours, from memory. It's not that far.

Thank for all the feedback so far...

If I had to choose 1 side trip in Pine valley, what would you all say would be the best for a first timer down that way?

Genesis

The Acropolis would be my choice, neither side is sheltered in bad weather but that is a spectacular climb. I'd personally spend the extra time there (PV) and catch one ferry. Even the old timers had boats and used them

Nuts,

I am tempted.... And for the sake of extra time and $40, The time spent exploring PV may just make the case for me...

But technically I did not complete the Overland track ?

I am Torn!...... I suppose there is always next time ? and the next .......

They say you should walk the lake at least once...

PV itself as a side trip is only really worth the effort if you have time to explore the area and get up the Acropolis or into the Labyrinth.
The hut, rain forest and waterfalls in the valley are nice.. but if all you do is the hut its not worth the detour in my opinion.

If you make the most of pine valley then your probably not going to miss not walking the lake. It's nice but not much variety.

You could leave PV in the afternoon and either make the ferry at Narcissus or continue on to Echo Point. You need about 3 hrs? I think to comfortably make the ferry. So need to leave at Lunch time.
If your up at 6am the next morning, from Echo Pt you'd probably be close to out by the time the Ferry has done the 9am run up and back.
Depends how keen you are to do both.

Another Iteration!

D1 : Ronny - Waterfall (ST Cradle)
D2 : Waterfall - Windermere (ST Barn Bluff & Lake Will/ Innes falls)
D3 : Windermere - New Pelion
D4 : Rest (ST Oakleigh)
D5 : Pelion - Kia Ora (ST Ossa & Pelion East)
D6 : Kia Ora - Pine Valley (ST Dalton, Fergusson, Hartnett Falls)
D7 : Pine Valley - Echo Point/Narcissus Depending on time (ST Labyrinth Morning)
D8 : Narcissus/Echo Point - Cynthia Bay

???

Genesis

Genesis wrote:D1 : Ronny - Waterfall (ST Cradle)
D2 : Waterfall - Windermere (ST Barn Bluff & Lake Will/ Innes falls)
D3 : Windermere - New Pelion
D4 : Rest (ST Oakleigh)
D5 : Pelion - Kia Ora (ST Ossa & Pelion East)
D6 : Kia Ora - Pine Valley (ST Dalton, Fergusson, Hartnett Falls)
D7 : Pine Valley - Echo Point/Narcissus Depending on time (ST Labyrinth Morning)
D8 : Narcissus/Echo Point - Cynthia Bay

Looks pretty good/solid. You'll wanna be fit, as it's an action packed walk.

I reckon you'll find D3 an easy day, and you'll probably get into Pelion pretty early. Depending on the weather/how you feel, you could always do Oakleigh that day and do either Ossa or Pelion East on your "rest" day!

It's all down to the weather though. If you've got a good window, take it. Because it might be *&%$#! the next day and if you can't see anything, what's the point?

EDIT: I'm very jealous!.

Thanks for the feedback bumpingbill, After speaking with my walking buddy I may have that ninth day after all toward the end to spend some more time in Pine Valley

On a side note what is phone reception like around Bert Nichols ? As I would need to contact my ride to delay pick up for a day if we decide to spend another day in paradise...

Genesis

There is no mobile reception along the track itself. You might be successful from one of your many sidetrips though.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Yeah, you won't get any reception from Bert Nichols.

I know you can get it from the top of Pelion East and Mount Oakleigh.

There is reception at Echo Point. There was also reception from the track after Narcissus.

This is Telstra, BTW.

A little more feedback please....

What sort of time would be needed to get to:

1. Branigan Falls This looks very close to the track I am sure I could find my way to this again is this tracked or a bush bash ?
2. Pelion Falls - IS there a pad/track to these falls or is is a bush bash?

Also what would be the nicest spot to stop between echo point and Cynthia bay for lunch ? Depending we may just push through to Cynthia for a burger

Cheers
Genesis

Genesis,
I was at Branigan Falls a few weeks ago (3 weeks).
Very easy access, look around there, you will find more spectacular waterfalls in the region. There is lots of really good off-track exploring to be had there.
If your schedule- or your speed- earns you a spare half day in lousy weather- that's the area in which to spend it.
Cheers
WildLight

Genesis wrote:2. Pelion Falls - IS there a pad/track to these falls or is is a bush bash?

I saw Pelion Falls in 2010 but didn't see any track. It's a beautiful waterfall. I have read some where that there is now a sign in that area stating there is no access due to regeneration. Someone might be able to confirm that.

Are any members Tas PWS ?maybe they can answer this question ?

(Until a parky rushes to help) Pelion Ck campsite (on the sth bank) is closed with a sign, the bits of track to the falls start immediately nth of the creek. You'll probably only find it in parts but the scrub ain't heavy.

Branigan Falls otoh had an attempt to close the track, hence the vegetation piled up at the track start. Of course, being tas, someone then thought to put these falls on the map.. Enjoy, tracks further down the valley, nice country.

Sounds like a side trip! Both Branigan & Pelion. looks like I will be visiting just as many waterfalls as peaks on my trip!

9 days in Paradise!