Once an Overland Track guide, now crafting beer inspired by the track that shaped him, meet Will Horan.

There’s something about Tasmania’s Overland Track that stays with you. For some, it’s the alpine air or the ancient forests. For others, it’s the people you meet along the way. For Will, it’s all of it, enough to shape a life that keeps circling back to the track, even after starting a brewery of his own inspired by that same place.

A Return to the Overland Track

After several years away from guiding, Will recently returned for a cameo appearance guiding on the Overland Track, a place that once defined his twenties. Stepping back into the huts and onto the trail felt instantly familiar, even if it had been four seasons since he last guided a full trip.

Despite staying connected to the region, including recent visits to Cradle Mountain, this was different. This was a return to the rhythm of guiding, walking day after day, sharing the experience with guests, and rediscovering what makes the Overland Track so special.

“I try to get back every year,” he says, “but the last few years have been full on with the business. Being back out there properly, guiding again, was something I’d really missed.”

Where It All Began

Will’s journey with Tasmanian Walking Company began when he was just 20. Like many guides, he expected a season or two, but the track has a way of holding onto you.

He ended up spending  most of his twenties guiding the Overland Track, leading guests through one of Australia’s most iconic wilderness experiences: a 65-kilometre journey through the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural lake.

It’s a walk known for its contrasts: alpine plateaus and glacial lakes, ancient rainforests and open moorlands. But for Will, the most lasting impact wasn’t just the landscape, it was the people. “The friendships you form out there are pretty unique,” he reflects. “Some of the people I guided with became lifelong friends, people who really changed the direction of my life.”

Photo Credit: Mahalia Smith

The Birth of Du Cane Brewing

It was during those years on the track that another idea began to take shape, one that would eventually become Du Cane Brewing Company. Surrounded by incredible Tasmanian produce in the huts each night, Will noticed something missing: a local craft beer that truly reflected the place.

“I started thinking about it while I was guiding,” he says. “We had all this amazing food, but no Tasmanian beer to match. It felt like a gap.”

That feeling  just continued to grow with every guiding experience, until it couldn’t be ignored. Du Cane brewery was born. Named after the Du Cane Range, a striking section of the Overland Track itself, the brewery is deeply tied to the landscape that inspired it. Today, it’s  grown into a full-scale operation, including a brewpub in Launceston, but its roots remain firmly planted in the wilderness.

From Trail to Tap

That connection to the trail isn’t just symbolic, it’s literal.

In the early days, some of the first batches of Du Cane beer were flown into the Overland Track huts by helicopter, ready to be enjoyed by walkers at the end of a long day on the trail. It’s a moment that perfectly captures the spirit of the experience: remote, considered, and distinctly Tasmanian.

The Tasmanian Walking Company was Du Cane’s first customer, and the partnership continues today, a full-circle moment for Will, whose guiding career helped spark the idea in the first place. “There’s something special about seeing people enjoy it out there,” he says. “It just feels natural, good food and drink in the mountains, shared with others.”

Photo Credit: Du Cane Brewery

Back on Track, and Behind the Beer

On his recent return to guiding, guests were often surprised to discover that the person leading them along the track was also the brewer behind the beer waiting for them at the hut. It’s not something Will makes a big deal of, but it adds an extra layer to the experience. A story behind the drink, tied directly to the place they’re walking through.

For him, it’s less about recognition and more about continuity, a thread that runs from his early days guiding to where he is now. “I still think of myself as a guide,” he admits.

What Makes the Overland Track Special

Ask Will what makes the Overland Track truly special, and his answer isn’t about summits or scenery, though there’s plenty of both. Instead, it comes back to people. From family, including his brother Patrick, to fellow guides and lifelong friends, the track has been a meeting point for relationships that have shaped his life in lasting ways.

His advice to walkers reflects just that. “Enjoy the people you’re walking with. Whether you’ve known them for years or just met them on the track, that’s a big part of what makes it memorable.”

A Journey That Keeps Giving Back

Today, Will spends most of his time brewing, growing Du Cane into one of Tasmania’s most distinctive craft beer brands. But the Overland Track is never far from his mind, or his calendar. Because for some, the track isn’t just a walk you complete. It’s a place you return to, again and again, in different seasons, different roles, and different stages of life.

For Will, it’s where everything started. And no matter how far things evolve, it’s clear that connection isn’t going anywhere.

Photo Credit: Mahalia Smith

Feeling inspired to experience it for yourself? Join our expert guides on one of our Cradle Mountain Walks and discover the stories, landscapes and connections that make the Overland Track unforgettable.

Last updated 14 April 2026.