Cradle Valley
The Overland Track is one of Australia's best walks, but it's expensive, booking is required and it's very busy in the warmer months. However, with just a park-pass it's possible to do a multi-day walk in the area around Cradle Mountain at the northern end of the Overland Track.
This walk involves walking in to Lake Rodway and base camping on the platforms at Scott-Kilvert Hut, or staying in the hut itself if it's not too busy. The lake is warm enough for swimming in summer.
From the Cradle Mountain visitor centre take the track towards Hansons Peak and continue on to Lake Rodway. On the following days you can circumnavigate Cradle Mountain and explore other tracks in the region. For the return journey you can branch off onto the Twisted Lakes track for an alternative route back.
Thanks to Nina and the Hobart Walking Club for organising this walk.
This is the track towards Lake Rodway. There is a steep and exposed section over Hansons Peak (left on the horizon), with some poles and a chain for assistance.
There are four platforms next to the hut at Lake Rodway, with space for two tents on each platform without being too crowded.
Just below the crags of Cradle Mountain on the north side is Kitchen Hut. You can't stay overnight here unless it's an emergency.
If you'd prefer something a bit more civilised than the Lake Rodway campsites, you can book accommodation at Scout Hut. It's situated above Crater Lake and is closer to the visitor centre. The Hobart Walking Club usually runs a couple of trips every year that are based here.
On the way back from Crater Lake.
Early morning with the sun just touching Cradle Mountain
As seen from the return route to the visitor centre along the Twisted Lakes track.
Looking east near the junction of the Twisted Lakes track and the track over Hansons Peak. It's about a kilometre from here back to the visitor centre.