This was recently posted on the bushwalk.com forum by a representative of the Parks and Wildlife Service in Tasmania –
A copy of Parks’ new “OVERLAND TRACK USAGE POLICY” – August 2012.
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This policy provides rules designed to manage walker intentions during the booking season (1st October – 31st May each year) in respect of use of the Overland Track.
These rules ensure that the quality of the Overland Track (OLT) experience is maintained for all users. All walkers are required to respect and abide by these rules.
1. The OLT must be walked in a north-south direction from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Exceptions to this rule are the sections of the track from Cradle to Waterfall Valley, Cynthia Bay to Pine Valley turn-off, Pelion to Pelion Gap and Pelion to West Pelion.
2. Bushwalkers intending to use part of the OLT and who do not pay the Overland Track Fee must not walk more than one overnight segment. The exceptions are entry onto the Overland Track from the Never Never, Traveller Range and Ducane Range. If entry is made via these routes, walkers must complete their walk on the OLT in a north-south direction.
For the most part, the above rules clarify what constitutes acceptable use. However, in order to further clarify what is permissible regarding overnight bushwalks that intersect with the OLT, the following examples of acceptable walks are provided:
• Cradle => Rodway (O/N) => Cradle (day walk to Barn Bluff / Waterfall Valley)
• Arm River => Pelion (O/N) => Arm River (day walks to Ossa, Pelion East, Pelion West, Oakleigh)
• Lake St Clair => Pine Valley (O/N) => Lake St Clair (Lake Marion, Labyrinth, Acropolis)
• Cradle => Lake McCrae or Mt Inglis => Cradle
• Mersey Valley => Junction Lake => Never Never => Lees Paddocks => Lees
• Lake St Clair/Narcissus => Byron, Cuvier, Traveller Range, Olympus
Further information on the policy and advice is available by contacting the Ranger-in-Charge for the Overland Track on 03 64921133 or email:
[email protected]