Cradle Mountain Walk + Stillwater Seven Package
Celebrate your epic Cradle Mountain Signature Walk with dinner at the acclaimed Stillwater Restaurant and a night of stylish luxury at Stillwater Seven.
This experience includes the Cradle Mountain Signature Walk, a six-day walk along the iconic Overland Track, with the comfort of the only private accommodation along the trail. Upon your return to Launceston, indulge in a three-course dinner at the acclaimed Stillwater Restaurant and a night of stylish luxury at Stillwater Seven incuding breakfast delivered to your room.
For all enquiries and bookings please contact Tasmanian Walking Company on (03) 6392 2211 or email enquiries@taswalkingco.com.au
Cradle Mountain Signature Walk + Stillwater Restaurant and Stillwater Seven
Embark on a journey along Australia's great alpine track, create life-long memories and celebrate in style. Tasmania’s Overland Track is famous the world over and our signature trip is the way to experience it in classic style. Across six days, our most popular Overland experience completes the full journey from World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. The fully guided walk begins at Waldheim in Cradle Valley and journeys some 65 kilometres through to Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest natural lake.
Built in an old flour mill located at the mouth of the Cataract Gorge, Stillwater Restaurant and Stillwater Seven are an integral part of the heart and soul of Launceston. First built in the 1840s, the mill was the principal supplier of fresh water to Launceston until 1857. Now a boutique, seven-room hotel and restaurant, Stillwater offers the perfect opportunity to wine, dine and stay complemented by a curated suite of experiences that includes helicopter rides, truffle hunts and visits to local wineries.
Quick facts:
- 6-day Guided Walk (Twin Share), plus
- One night at Stillwater Seven. Please note all rooms are different and are allocated upon booking.
- A welcome drink on arrival at Stillwater.
- Three-course group dinner including side dishes. Wine during dinner is not included.
- Breakfast delivered to your room the next morning.
- Two Stillwater branded Memo Water Bottles to take home.
Stillwater Restaurant
Established in 2000, Stillwater Restaurant focuses on local produce and exceptional service. Executive Chef Craig Will's menu highlights the very best of Tasmania: expect Tamar Valley truffles in the winter time, fresh oysters sourced from an hour down the coast, miso made across the river and locally grown heirloom vegetables.
Stillwater Restaurant has received many accolades over the years including:
- Renault Haute Cuisine's Best Restaurant Award in 2001
- Australian Good Food Guide 'Chef Hat' Awards two years in a row in 2018 and 2019 (the only northern restaurant to be listed in the prestigious guide alongside the sister venue Black Cow Bistro)
- Gourmet Traveller Restaurant finalist, 2021
Photo Credit: Lily Moeller
Stillwater Seven
Located above Stillwater Restaurant, Stillwater Seven, as the name suggests, boasts seven luxurious suites that sit at the entrance of Launceston's Cataract Gorge. Every stay at Stillwater Seven is personalised with the reading material and mini bar offering tailored to suit the individual tastes of each guest.
Opened in 2019 and designed by Tasmanian-based architects Cumulus Studio, Stillwater Seven's boutique rooms are peaceful and relaxing, ideal for a quiet escape with a waterfront view of the Tamar River.
Photo and Gallery photo credit: Anjie Blair
Day 1: Waldheim to Barn Bluff Hut
Approximately 7 hours walking
On the summit of Cradle Mountain in 1910, Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer proclaimed, “This must be a national park for the people for all time.” It’s fitting our journey begins at Waldheim in Cradle Valley, where Weindorfer’s story is told. We set off on the track, venturing through ancient temperate rainforest, passing the dramatic glacially-carved Crater Lake.
We climb the steepest section of the whole Overland Track today fuelled by a hearty lunch. Reaching Marion’s Lookout (1250m) takes about an hour, with steps leading through steeper sections. The reward, providing weather conditions allow, is staggering views of Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. Every uphill step is worth it.
We continue around the base of Cradle Mountain along the edge of a spectacular glacial cirque before dropping into Waterfall Valley. Our private hut awaits, beneath towering Barn Bluff, having completed the steepest part of your journey (excluding side trips). It’s a welcome retreat after several hours walking over exposed alpine plateau where some days the wind howls — a reminder of nature’s power.
Day 2: Barn Bluff Hut to Pine Forest Moor Hut
Approximately 6 hours walking
Today we’ll be walking across plains where glaciers once rested, slowly moving and scouring out shallow tarns. Although an undulating trek with a few sections of exposed moorland, there are no significant climbs today.
We take our time venturing across vast button grass plains where ancient pencil pines fringe alpine tarns. Rising from the moors, the peaks of Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff are behind us. Look ahead, and the stately Mt Pelion West comes into view.
Those looking for additional challenge today can take a side trip to Lake Will. Hugged by pencil pines and with its narrow quartzite sand rim, Lake Will is striking. Keep an eye out for gravel mounds along the way, remnants of Joseph Will’s coal mining efforts in the 1890s.
This evening, at Pine Forest Moor Hut, enjoy our outdoor dining setting with views out to Mt Oakleigh in fine weather.
Day 3: Pine Forest Moor Hut to Pelion Hut
Approximately 5 hours walking
This morning we venture through gorgeous myrtle-beech rainforest as we descend around the base of Mt Pelion West, down to the Forth River before it plunges into Lemonthyme Valley. We’ll take a break at Frog Flats beside the Forth River, which happens to be the Overland Track’s lowest point.
From here, it’s a gentle ascent back out of the valley. We leave thick Eucalypt forest behind as the trees part to reveal Pelion Plains. Uninterrupted views of Mt Oakleigh’s dolerite spires now come into play.
The Pelion Plains area offers a host of side trips, hugged by mountainous terrain. There are excellent swimming holes, peaceful nooks to rest and abandoned copper mines to explore. Come nightfall, we’ll be nestled amongst dry sclerophyll forest at Pelion Hut.
Day 4: Pelion Hut to Kia Ora Hut
Approximately 4-9 hours walking (Optional 5hr side trip to Mt Ossa)
Today begins with a climb of almost 300m to Pelion Gap through beautiful rainforest. Pelion Gap is a plateau stretching between Mt Pelion East and Mt Ossa, affording fantastic views to the south as well as back to the north.
There’s plenty of time for side trips from Pelion Gap including the option to summit Mt Ossa. At 1617m, it is Tasmania’s highest peak. There are other less challenging climbs, including Mt Doris.
From Pelion Gap it's a further two hours of gentle downhill to the hut. Today, choose to keep things relaxed or challenge yourself to stand atop the island’s highest point. Once we arrive at Kia Ora Hut, enjoy a Tasmanian drop with spectacular views out to Cathedral Mountain.
Day 5: Kia Ora Hut to Windy Ridge Hut
Approximately 4 hours walking
Day five is about icy-flowing waterfalls. We depart Kia Ora hut and walk about an hour to Du Cane, where a 1910-built hut remains from the long-gone days of animal trapping. Du Cane Hut is a fine spot to rest, surounded by native gardens and overlooked by the spectacular Du Cane Range.
From here, we wander through some of the oldest forest in the National Park, with King Billy pines as much as 2000 years old. Now, we are above the Mersey River, which descends deeply northward towards Bass Strait, spilling down cliff faces.
There are three major sets of waterfalls in the area. We aim to visit one or more of these, choosing the best to have lunch beside depending on conditions. During the afternoon, we make our way over Du Cane Gap, then descend beside the spectacular Falling Mountain to Windy Ridge Hut. Tonight is a celebratory one, our last evening on the track.
Day 6: Windy Ridge Hut to Lake St Clair and Stillwater
Approximately 3 hours walking
Our destination today is Australia’s deepest natural lake - Lake St Clair - shaped by glaciations over two million years. Birdsong helps us along this final day as we walk mainly through flowering dry sclerophyll forests.
We arrive at Narcissus at the northern end of Lake St Clair in time for lunch, before boarding the Idaclair cruise boat for a spectacular 17km cruise back to Cynthia Bay. There’s typically around half an hour to look around the Visitor Centre here.
The return trip to Launceston is through the trout fishing mecca of the highland lakes, descending the rugged Western Tiers. We’ll cross the broad plains of the Northern Midlands, passing through the rural townships of Cressy and Longford.
We depart our walk base at Red Feather Inn with your luggage around 5.45pm. We drop off at Stillwater at 6.15pm.
We will be greeted at Stillwater with a welcome drink. After your group check-in, there's time to shower before you begin your celebratory three-course dinner. You can purchase beers, wines and spirits from the exceptional wine list.
Once dessert is finished, retreat to your luxurious suite for a well-earned night of peace and relaxation.
Photo credit: Anjie Blair
Day 7: Stillwater Seven
Opened in 2019 and designed by Tasmanian-based architects Cumulus Studio, Stillwater Seven's boutique rooms are peaceful and relaxing, ideal for a quiet escape with a waterfront view of the Tamar River. Located above Stillwater Restaurant, Stillwater Seven, as the name suggests, boasts seven luxurious suites that sit at the entrance of Launceston's Cataract Gorge. Every stay at Stillwater Seven is personalised with the reading material and mini bar offering tailored the to suit the individual tastes of each guest.
You'll begin your final day with an a la carte breakfast. All good things must come to an end. Check out time is at 11am. We hope you can continue to journey around Tasmania. If not, Launceston airport is not too far away and you can return home rested with the memories of an incredible week in tasmania.
Photo credit: Anjie Blair
Exclusive Accommodation
True shelter, something that gives protection and refuge, simple and sustainable, clean and comfortable.
Our groups have the exclusive use of the only private hut accommodation along the Overland Track. Each hut has been discretely located off the main trail and offers a hot shower, drying room and twin share accommodation.
Our Private Huts
Operating and owning the only private hut accommodation along the Overland Track is a great privilege, and we take our responsibility toward the National Park & the natural environment very seriously. Operating in such a delicate environment, Cradle Mountain Huts places a great deal of importance on minimal impact track and hut practices and the huts are designed to be ecologically sustainable. Each hut is architecturally designed to maximize cross flow ventilation and operate with maximum efficiency with renewable energy. Our private Cradle Mountain Huts are maintained by us to ensure your comfort.
There will be afternoon tea, as well as some time to relax and enjoy your surroundings before dinner is served. In the evening, you are free to relax or take an early night and feel refreshed and revived in the morning.
There are games and a number of books in each hut, which can be enjoyed in the lounge area or, in warm weather, out on the deck or helipad.
The remote location of the huts demands that they are autonomous in terms of servicing. Rain water is chanelled off the roofs into tanks and the huts incorporate self-composting, water-free batching toilets. We provide phosphorous-free soap for our guests, and all waste water is separated through grease traps and sand filters. The residue is regularly removed from each site, along with all other rubbish. Gas and solar are the only sources of power, used for lighting, heating and cooking.
Provisioning of these huts is a unique procedure, once again due to their remote location. Only twice each season, supplies of food, wine and gas cylinders are flown in by helicopter over a two-day period, while all garbage and waste matter is flown out. Nothing is left within the National Park.
The Trail and the Weather
At any time of the year, you can experience extreme conditions on the Overland Track. Freezing temperatures, wind, rain, sleet, and snow can occur. The Track itself has earned a reputation as one of Australia's great hiking challenges. Over six days, you will carry a pack, climb to alpine passes and if weather permits, to the top of Mt Ossa. The trail is uneven, rocky, slippery, wet, muddy, has many exposed tree roots and is not well-maintained. It is wild, remote and you cannot be rescued easily. Preparing well for your walk helps you complete the walk and makes it much more enjoyable.
The weather adds another challenge and persistent rain and even snow are possible in summer. Wool socks, merino thermal layers, quality wet weather gear and hiking poles all assist. Please ensure you are fit and able and follow the advice on what to pack in our gear list. If you follow the training plan, you will find the walk more enjoyable. If you have any questions, please contact our reservations team. Below are some images of the track in snow and after rain. Enjoy the comfort of warm and dry huts each evening! Please prepare and pack well and follow the advice in our trip notes' training plan.
Itinerary Details
Cradle Mountain Signature Walk + Stillwater Restaurant and Stillwater Seven
- 6-day Guided Walk (Twin Share).
- One night at Stillwater Seven, dinner and breakfast package.
- Each trip requires a minimum of 6 guests (Twin Share). The maximum is 12.
- Available by request for private groups.
Bookings
- Phone: (03) 6392 2211.
- Email: enquiries@taswalkingco.com.au.
- or complete the below enquiry form.
Special Interest Walks - Terms and Conditions
Our standard booking terms and conditions apply to all bookings. In addition:
- Cancellations
- more than 90 days from the scheduled departure date, a fee of $350 per person will be charged with the balance payment refunded;
- within 90 days of departure, no refund is available. Bookings are transferable to another name.
- Minimum numbers are required three months before departure..
Inclusions
Cradle Mountain Signature Walk
- Return transfers between Launceston and the walk base.
- Accommodation each evening in one of our five private huts - twin share.
- During the walk, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, plus a limited selection of Tasmanian wines.
- National Park and Overland Track passes.
- Boat transfer across Lake St Clair (on Day 6 of the six-day walk only).
- Use of a backpack and Gore-tex jacket for the duration of the walk.
- Sleeping bags, pillows and a comfortable mattress at each hut.
- Sleeping sheet and pillowcase to carry with you.
- Two qualified guides for the duration of the walk.
+ Stillwater Indulgence
- One night at Stillwater Seven. Please note all rooms are different and are allocated upon booking.
- A welcome drink on arrival.
- Three-course group dinner including side dishes. Wine during dinner is not included.
- A la carte breakfast the next morning
- 2 Stillwater branded Memo Water Bottles to take home.
Additional information
- Have a burning question? Check out our FAQ page, and if you need further help please don't hesitate to contact our friendly reservations team.
- Ready to start planning your next adventure and want to know what to bring. Check out our detailed gear list, including details on what's provided. If you are unsure about anything on the gear list please call us or talk to your local outdoor adventure store.
Need help deciding? Talk to an expert
We're here to help 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday, otherwise, email us anytime and we'll be in touch.