Walking through plains studded with button grass and cushion plants

Overland Track Day 2: Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Beautiful landscape on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut


The second day of Overland Track is an easy walk, with no significant climbs. The track crosses alpine plateau and forests, and makes a possibility for a short side trip to the lovely Lake Will. The final walk to Lake Windermere and its hut hidden in the forest is accompanied by the views of mountainous peaks.


The next morning, exhausted, stiff and sore, we woke up pretty late, when all the bushwalkers have already gone. Recalling the previous hike, we were wondering how we would survive the next days… But the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and a cute wallaby came nearby to say hello. After all, not bad at all.

Wallabies near Waterfall Valley Hut

With up to sixty people a day on the track, you are never alone. But this morning we had the place for ourselves. There were no people lining up at the loo with toilet paper in hand. No people refilling the bottles of water. Sleeping until we feel enough energy to open our eyes, usually by the time everybody was finishing breakfast, became our inadvertent strategy for the whole track. We saw many walkers racing ahead to secure their spot in the hut but we preferred to take our time and leave the stress behind.

After our leisurely breakfast under the warm sun and saying good-bye to the friendly Bennet’s wallaby right near the Waterfall Valley Hut, we set off for the track. Leaving the hut, Olga’s knees almost refused to cooperate. Luckily, the walk from Waterfall Valley to Windemere is rather easy, with no significant climbs but still above 1’000m. We even met some walkers who skipped Windermere Hut and pressed on to the next Pelion Hut.

At the beginning of the walk from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Walking from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Plains studded with button grass and cushion plants on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Compared to yesterday, today was an easy stroll. Time to find our own rhythm and get used to the gear. We walked across the plains studded with button grass and cushion plants, forests with myrtle trees, Tasmanian snow gums, deciduous beech trees, old pencil pines, and tropical pandanus. We crossed swamplands on raised boardwalks and moorlands with stunted trees and tarns. With the peaks of Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff left behind, Mt Pelion West was coming into view. And this is where we started to really enjoy the track with its changing faces.

Walking through plains studded with button grass and cushion plants

On Day 2 of Overland Track, we walk through forests with myrtle trees, Tasmanian snow gums, deciduous beech trees, old pencil pines, and tropical pandanus

Walking across the plains studded with button grass and cushion plants on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Walking through forests with myrtle trees, Tasmanian snow gums, deciduous beech trees, old pencil pines, and tropical pandanus

Soon, we reached the junction to Lake Will. Following the sign, we secured our backpacks against cheeky currawongs (birds resembling crows), who have learned that all the walkers have food and have become experts in unzipping the bags to pinch snacks. With its surprising white quartzite beach, Lake Will fringed with pencil pines and Barn Bluff in the background was a perfect spot for lunch.

Views of Barn Bluff on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Walking path to Lake Will

Walking path to Lake Will

Near Lake Will on Day 2 of Overland Track

Typical plants encountered on the way to Windermere Hut

Our lunch finished, the last efforts brought us to Windermere Hut located near dark-coloured Lake Windermere.

Crossing swamplands on raised boardwalks on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Swamplands on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Views of Barn Bluff

Typical landscape of Overland Track in Tasmania

Stunning wild landscape of Overland Track in Tasmania

Walking through forests with myrtle trees, Tasmanian snow gums, deciduous beech trees, old pencil pines, and tropical pandanus

Landscape on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Crossing swamplands on raised boardwalks on the way from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Walking from Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut

Walking through forests with myrtle trees, Tasmanian snow gums, deciduous beech trees, old pencil pines, and tropical pandanus

Walking on famous boardwalks of Overland Track towards Windermere Hut

Approaching this rustic and welcoming hut hidden by the forest, we were met by a wallaby hopping across the track and giving us a quizzical look. Our day two of the track was over.

Near Windermere Hut on Day 2 of Overland Track

Windermere Hut at the end of Day 2 of Overland Track

Inside Windermere Hut

 

Overland Track: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Day 1: Ronny Creek to Waterfall Valley Hut
Day 2: Waterfall Valley Hut to Windermere Hut
Day 3: Windermere Hut to Frog Flats
Day 4: Frog Flats to Kia Ora Hut through New Pelion Hut
Day 5: Kia Ora Hut to Bert Nichols Hut at Windy Ridge
Day 6: Bert Nichols Hut to Pine Valley Hut
Day 7: Pine Valley Hut to Narcissus Hut
Day 8: Narcissus Hut to Lake St Clair visitor centre


Practical Information

Distance: 7.8 km, walking time: 2.5-3.5 hrs

Side trips from Windermere Hut:

Lake Will: 3 km return, 1 hour. If you leave your backpack at the junction, secure it properly! The local birds, currawongs, have learnt to undo zips to access food.

For more information, please refer to Overland Track Practical Information.

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