Day one – driving from Hobart to the trail head
We packed up the Landcruiser and headed off from Hobart around 2.30pm for what turned out to be a five-hour drive up north,including stops at Campbell Town for coffee and Deloraine for dinner. Here it is worth noting the excellent service and quality of food at ‘Cycles @ The Empire’ on the main street. Our last supper before roughing it.
After the pit-stop we headed toward the trail head via Maggs Road (gravel). A couple of k’s prior to reaching the trail head we noticed a convenient pull-off area with our name on it. We decided this would do to spend the night ready for an early-ish start in the morning. There had been a couple of other options, including one by Arm River just before the Maggs Road turn off.
Day two – Arm River Track to New Pelion
Total distance walked: 12 kilometres.
Elevation difference start and finish: 100 meters.
Total time: 5 hours (including breaks).
We were up around 7.30am and had a fry-up breakfast of eggs and bacon ready for the day. As I was preparing my gear I encountered my first leech – on my hand. I have no idea where I picked it up. Luckily it hadn’t latched on, so I was able to flick it away. After this drama we drove to the trail head only a few kilometres away. There were seven or eight cars parked around the gravel road circle. We set off walking at 9.00am.
The first part of the track is pleasant, meandering through light mossy forest, before the hard climb begins. At this point there is a very well-formed track that zig zags up a steep climb of 140m over a kilometre. We managed this and then continued along the more gradual climb, before taking a well-earned break around 10.30 at the Lake Price outlet.
We continued for another 1.5 hours before stopping for a snack. By this stage we had met three groups of walkers heading out, and one lone walker overtook us. As we approached the eastern end of Lake Ayr we saw a medium sized (1m) tiger snake moving away from the track, and a dead baby snake a bit further along. We arrived at the registration sign-in book around 1pm.
It took us an hour or so to walk the length of Lake Ayr to New Pelion Hut. Here we scouted around for a tent site, settling on the approach side of the hut next to Douglas Creek under the trees, not realising that there were hardened tent sites south of the hut.
While setting up camp I encountered another two leeches. One appeared on the grass while setting up the tent, and the second I found on my neck/shoulder – inside my shirt. Again, it had not had a chance to latch on, but I was officially leech-paranoid.
We decided to have a late hot lunch and coffee, and then occupied ourselves with camp organisation, quizzes, reading and exploring. We had an early night – lights out by 8.30pm.
The Arm River Track, considering the walk is rated ‘hard/steep’, is excellent. There are roots and rocks, but they tend to create convenient steps and footholds, rather than traps and uneven footing surfaces. I would say that the difficulty rating is due to the length and steepness. There were a dozen short boggy sections that were easily negotiated. The track from the registration point is very good, with long sections of duckboard. There are sections that are a bit more difficult to negotiate rocks and roots, but all-in-all, it is a very good experience.
Arm River Track Section of forest canopy Steel bridge Well-formed track Pandani Exposed section Example of well-formed track Beginning of Lake Ayr Pelion & Arm River Track junction Bridge leading into Pelion Camp site with Mt Oakleigh in the background
Day three – New Pelion to Mt Ossa summit
Total distance: 9-10 kilometres.
Total elevation walked: 755 meters.
Total time: 8 hours 15 minutes (with breaks).
The next day we started walking about 9.00am. The track is not as forgiving as the Arm River Track, with tree roots and rocks tending to be more of a hinderance than a help. We stopped about 2 km in to check out the Douglas Creek waterfall and fill our water bottles, then continued the gradual climb to Pelion Gap platform, arriving around 11.30am. Here Andrew dropped his main pack, and we took light-weight packs to the peak of Mt Ossa.
As we made our way up Mt Doris the weather came in, and we were surrounded by misty clouds. We arrived at the Mt Doris/Ossa saddle around 12.30 and stopped for a snack. We climbed the first ‘peak’ and met a guided group stopped for a rest. They weren’t going further due to the weather. We made our way up the ominous boulder-ridden gate. Once through the gate we came across a pair on their way down. They reported that we didn’t have too far to go, that the peak was pretty, although the view was restricted by cloud-cover.
We reached the trig point by following the track onto the boulders. After appreciating our achievement, we sat down for lunch, and after about 20 minutes the weather lifted and we were greeted by amazing views in all directions. We spent another 30 minutes exploring the plateau.
We commenced our descent, conscious that the rain was looming. On arriving back at Pelion Gap we met up with a Parks & Wildlife ranger. We had a brief chat and then continued our way back to Pelion Hut. The return walk was uneventful. Except of course, the leech I found on my shin as we were fussing around the camp. Again, I flicked it off before it latched on.
The track up Mount Doris is excellent. I did the Overland Track in 2014 and made my way to the Doris/Ossa saddle. At the time the climb up Mt Doris was challenging, but new FRP grid steps make it much more civilised. The climb from the saddle to summit is challenging due to the elevation, but the track is well formed and easy to navigate. My favourite part of the entire trip is the section between Mt Doris and Mt Ossa. At this time of year the colours are amazing, the view is spectacular, and the walking is easy. I highly recommend ascending to the Doris/Ossa saddle if completing the Overland Track. Mt Ossa Peak is amazing, but if the effort is just too much, the saddle is a pretty spectacular compromise.
The Overland Track tree roots Section of Overland track Pelion Gap platform New steps up Mt Doris View from Doris Saddle Doris Saddle Mt Doris Saddle Pencil Pines at base of Mt Ossa View from Doris Saddle Climbing Mt Ossa View back from where we’d come Still climbing Mt Ossa peak under cloud Tarn on Mt Ossa Plateau Summit of Mt Ossa View from Mt Ossa
Day four – New Pelion to Arm River Car Park
Total distance walked: 12 kilometres
Total time: 5 hours (with breaks).
We had a slightly later start on this, our final day, getting packed up and heading off around 10.00am and back-tracking along the Arm River Track. We eventually arrived at the car park around 3.00pm after a couple of 10–15-minute rest breaks. We were both thankful for our walking poles to make the steep decent slightly less jarring on the knees.
The hut is spacious and clean. It sounded well-occupied on the two nights we camped. There is tank water and fairly decent toilets.
For those who enjoy plant-life, the walk was a great opportunity to discover interesting fungus. I even spotted the elusive Mycena interrupta!
Fossils in creek-bed Fossils in creek-bed The moss was fantastic!
