Pelion to Kia Ora
Palawa Country

3 h to 4 h

8.5 km
oneway segment

↑ 341 m
↓ -326 m

Very challenging
Starting from Pelion Hut this walk gently climbs through the rainforest to Pelion Gap saddle with some very short side trips to some lovely cascades. If you have spare time and favourable weather you can opt for the side trip to Mt Ossa or Mt Pelion East. From the gap wander down through Pinestone Valley with stunning views of Cathedral Mountain to your left, before reaching the peaceful and sheltered Kia Ora hut, camping area and cascades. Let us begin by acknowledging the Palawa people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. 
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Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Photo by admin, 2018.
Downloads GPX PDF
Warning
This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills.
Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.

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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Segment This is part of longer journey and can not be completed on it is own.
Full Journey The Overland Track
Start (-41.8295189,146.0466084)
Finish (-41.8921191,146.0815098)
Mode (end)
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Arm River Track.
Find the New Pelion Hut at the start.
Then pass the "New Pelion Hut Toilets" (on your right).
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Overland Track.
After another 90 m (at the intersection of Overland Track & Pelion Ranger Hut Track) continue straight, to head along Overland Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to Douglas Creek waterfalls. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 1.5 km (at the intersection of Overland Track & Douglas Creek Falls Track) continue straight, to head along Overland Track.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to upper Douglas Creek waterfalls. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 55 m (at the intersection of Overland Track & Douglas Creek Falls Track) continue straight, to head along Overland Track.
After another 2.7 km come to the "Pelion Gap".
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to the top of Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak. You will need 4-5 hours of daylight to the summit and return to Pelion Gap. Exposed rock scramble to reach the summit, very slippery in wet conditions, requires clear weather. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Pelion Gap continue straight, to head along Overland Track.
After another 1.5 km cross the Pinestone Valley Bridge (about 20 m long)
After another 2.1 km continue straight, to head along Overland Track.
After another 450 m come to the "Kia Ora Hut group camping platforms" (20 m on your left).
After another 8 m (at the intersection of Kia Ora Hut toilet track & Overland Track) turn right, to head along Kia Ora Hut toilet track.
After another 4 m turn left.
About 20 m past the end is "Kia Ora Hut public camping platform".
About 35 m past the end is "Kia Ora Hut public camping platform".
About 45 m past the end is "Kia Ora Hut toilets".
About 75 m past the end is "Kia Ora Falls".
The end.

Side trip to Douglas Creek waterfalls.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Douglas Creek Falls Track & Overland Track Start heading along Douglas Creek Falls Track (a walking track).
After another 25 m come to a waterfall.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.

Side trip to upper Douglas Creek waterfalls.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Douglas Creek Falls Track & Overland Track Start heading along Douglas Creek Falls Track (a walking track).
After another 35 m come to a waterfall.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 35 m to the main route.

Turn map Directions & comments
Start heading along Mount Ossa Track.
Find the Pelion Gap at the start.
Pelion Gap continue straight, to head along Mount Pelion East Track.
After another 1.3 km come to "Mount Pelion East".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 1.3 km to the main route.

Side trip to the top of Mt Ossa, Tasmania's highest peak. You will need 4-5 hours of daylight to the summit and return to Pelion Gap. Exposed rock scramble to reach the summit, very slippery in wet conditions, requires clear weather.
Turn map Directions & comments
Pelion Gap Start heading along Mount Ossa Track (a walking track).
After another 2.7 km come to "Mount Ossa".
Continue another 0 m to find Mount Ossa at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 2.7 km to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Pelion to Kia Ora


Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length 8.5 km
Time 3 h to 4 h
Quality of track Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
Gradient Very steep (4/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Forecasted & unexpected severe weather likely to have an impact on your navigation and safety (5/6)

Some facilities on route
Camp site: There are 3 on route, on average they are 2.1 km apart with the largest gap of 8.5 km.

Hut: There is one 50 m from the start.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 2.8 km apart with the largest gap of 8.5 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Hut
50 mNew Pelion Hut
Toilet
50 mNew Pelion Hut Toilets
Camp site
8.5 kmKia Ora Hut group camping platforms
Camp site
8.5 kmKia Ora Hut public camping platform
Camp site
8.5 kmKia Ora Hut public camping platform
Toilet
8.5 kmKia Ora Hut toilets
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Articles
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Reviews & Feedback
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Weather & Alerts
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