After a couple of nights and days in Launceston, the day had finally arrived. We woke with excitement and eagerness, packing, showering, cleaning and waiting for the bus to arrive ... today was the day we headed into Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park to walk the Overland Track. With the arrival of the bus, it was quickly loaded with gear and humans as we said goodbye to the Scout Hall and departed through the streets of Launceston. The drive through the Tasmanian countryside towards the National Park was beautiful and after a few hours we found ourselves at the National Park Entrance.
With permits obtained, lunch eaten, souvenirs purchased and the Park Ranger safety brief complete, we boarded the National Park bus and finally found ourselves standing at Ronny Creek Carpark ... the Northern start of the Overland Track. Alone. While we would encounter many people throughout the next 8 days, it was just us, we were on our own with only the support of each other to get us through this amazing Adventure.
Now is the time to live in the moment, support each other and enjoy the experience.
Looking after the environment by cleaning our boots before starting, we stepped up onto the boardwalk to the realisation that ... this is real ... we are actually here, walking the Overland Track in Tasmania. With loaded packs and hands, we smiled as we started our journey of immersion into the Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park to be instantly greeted by a Park local, a wombat ... the fifth we'd spotted since arriving at Ronny Creek. It truly was an impressive way for our Expedition to begin.
"Welcome to MY National Park"
After a relaxing start on the flat boardwalk to the Ronny Creek crossing, we had a reality check as we crossed the bridge and started to climb towards our accommodation for the next two nights - Scout Hut. While the track was well defined it was a real challenge with boardwalks over wetlands, tree roots, rocks and large boulders creating huge steps, it certainly was a fitness test with all our gear. While we suddenly found ourselves spread out along the track, with support and encouragement everyone found themselves on the Scout Hut deck enjoying stunning views and appreciative of all the extra food and resources that had been carried in for the next two nights.
"You dead Man?"
"Ya Man!!!"
Welcome to Scout Hut in Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park
Scout Hut Exterior
Scout Hut Interior
Check out the stunning Scout Hut views and surrounding environment
Settling in and enjoying a relaxed Expedition lifestyle at Scout Hut
Seeing and being welcomed by all the Wombats.
All those giant boulder steps we had to climb on the track today ... they were hard.
The fact that we are actually here, and the journey we have been on just to get here.
