How do you get from Lake St Clair to Hobart?

Most walkers completing the traditional Overland Track finish at Narcissus Hut, at the northern end of Lake St Clair.

From Narcissus, you can either:

1. Catch the Lake St Clair ferry to Cynthia Bay, or

2. Walk around Lake St Clair to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre.

The ferry is the most common option for walkers who want to finish their Overland Track journey efficiently.

Parks & Wildlife Tasmania states that walkers finishing at Narcissus can take the ferry to the Lake St Clair Visitor Centre, while walking around the lake adds approximately 17.5 km to the journey. The ferry must be booked separately.

Once you reach Cynthia Bay, you can connect with pre-booked road transport towards Hobart.

Lake St Clair to Hobart transport

When planning your Overland Track itinerary, don't leave your Lake St Clair transport until the last minute.

Your transport should be considered alongside:

• Your Overland Track start date

• Your expected walking itinerary

• Your ferry booking

• Your accommodation in Hobart

• Your flight departure time

• Any additional Tasmanian travel after the walk

A well-planned itinerary gives you a much better chance of making your connections without unnecessary stress.

How long does Lake St Clair to Hobart take?

Allow several hours for the journey from Lake St Clair to Hobart, including your ferry connection if you are finishing at Narcissus.

Rather than planning a tight connection immediately after your expected arrival, allow some flexibility. Weather, track conditions, walking speed and delays can all affect your finishing time.

Important: The Overland Track is a remote alpine walk and weather can change rapidly. Parks & Wildlife Tasmania warns that cold, wet and windy conditions can occur at any time of year.

Lake St Clair ferry connection

If you are planning to finish your Overland Track at Narcissus and take the ferry to Cynthia Bay, book your ferry before starting your walk.

This is one of the most important pieces of Overland Track logistics to organise.

Your planning sequence should be:

Overland Track booking → transport → ferry → Hobart accommodation → onward travel

The ferry crossing is a separate booking from your Overland Track pass.

What happens if I finish the track early?

This is one of the most common concerns for walkers.

Your walking time can change because of:

• Weather

• Track conditions

• Fitness

• Side trips

• Rest days

• Injuries

• Walking faster or slower than expected

For this reason, flexible transport arrangements can be extremely valuable.

Before booking, check the operator's conditions regarding changing your transport date if your walking itinerary changes.

Luggage after the Overland Track

One of the biggest logistical problems for walkers is deciding what to do with luggage that isn't required on the track.

If you are travelling around Tasmania before and after your walk, you may have:

• Suitcases

• Travel bags

• Extra clothing

• Toiletries

• Electronic equipment

• Non-hiking shoes

• Other items you don't want to carry for six or more days

Instead of carrying everything onto the Overland Track, look for a luggage storage option that allows you to collect your belongings when you reach Lake St Clair.

This can make a significant difference to your travel experience.

Lake St Clair to Hobart after the Overland Track

Once you have completed the walk, collected your luggage and connected with your transport, the journey towards Hobart takes you through Tasmania's Central Highlands.

The road journey provides a very different experience from the wilderness you've just walked through.

Depending on your transport arrangements, the journey towards Hobart can also provide an opportunity to rest, have refreshments and enjoy the scenery before arriving in Tasmania's capital.

Where should I stay in Hobart after the Overland Track?

If you're staying in Hobart after completing the Overland Track, booking accommodation before you start walking is recommended.

This is particularly important during busy periods.

Consider staying somewhere that makes your next journey easy.

If you are flying home

Choose accommodation with convenient access to:

• Hobart Airport

• Airport transfer services

• Public transport

• Early morning transport

If you are continuing your Tasmanian holiday

Consider staying in or near Hobart's CBD so you can easily access:

• Salamanca

• Battery Point

• Waterfront attractions

• Restaurants

• Tours

• Public transport

How much time should I allow between Lake St Clair and my flight?

Don't schedule your flight immediately after your expected arrival in Hobart.

The Overland Track is a remote wilderness walk, and your finishing time can change.

A safer itinerary is:

Finish Overland Track → Lake St Clair → Hobart → overnight stay → flight next day

This gives you a buffer if:

• You finish the walk later than expected

• Weather affects your walking

• The ferry timing changes

• Your transport is delayed

• You need additional time to collect luggage

For international or important onward flights, allowing even more time is sensible.

What if I finish the Overland Track early?

Finishing early isn't necessarily a problem, but it can affect your ferry, transport and accommodation bookings.

Before starting your walk, check the terms of every booking.

Ideally, choose transport that provides some flexibility if you finish earlier or later than expected.

This is one of the reasons Overland Track logistics planning should happen before you start walking rather than once you reach Narcissus.

What if I finish late?

This is equally important.

If weather or track conditions slow you down, you may arrive at Narcissus later than originally planned.

Always have:

• Your transport operator's contact details

• Your ferry booking details

• Your accommodation details

• Emergency contact information

• A backup plan

Remember that mobile phone reception is limited or unavailable across significant sections of the Overland Track. Parks & Wildlife Tasmania specifically advises walkers to have plans in place and be prepared for changing conditions.

Complete Overland Track logistics checklist

Before leaving for Tasmania, check that you have arranged:

Before the walk

☐ Overland Track booking
☐ Transport to Cradle Mountain
☐ Cradle Mountain accommodation if required
☐ Hiking equipment
☐ Food
☐ Ferry booking
☐ Lake St Clair to Hobart transport
☐ Luggage storage
☐ Hobart accommodation
☐ Flights
☐ Airport transfer if required
☐ Weather forecast
☐ Emergency contacts

Before starting the track

☐ Check weather conditions
☐ Check track alerts
☐ Confirm ferry booking
☐ Confirm transport arrangements
☐ Make sure someone knows your itinerary
☐ Check your equipment
☐ Ensure your phone/power bank is charged
☐ Carry appropriate emergency equipment

Parks & Wildlife Tasmania recommends checking weather, bushwalker alerts and track information before departure and carrying appropriate equipment for Tasmania's potentially severe conditions.

Lake St Clair to Hobart itinerary example

A typical itinerary could look like:

Day 1: Launceston → Cradle Mountain → Ronny Creek → Waterfall Valley

Days 2–5: Continue south along the Overland Track

Day 6: Narcissus → ferry across Lake St Clair → Cynthia Bay

Day 6: Lake St Clair → Hobart by pre-booked transport

Day 7: Hobart → Airport → onward journey

This is only an example. Your actual itinerary should allow flexibility for weather, walking pace, side trips and transport schedules.

Why book your Lake St Clair to Hobart transport early?

The end of the Overland Track is one of the most important parts of your trip to organise.

By booking transport early, you can plan your:

walk → ferry → transport → luggage → accommodation → flight

as one connected itinerary.

This is particularly useful if you have a fixed flight or other travel arrangements after the Overland Track.

Official Overland Track information

Before travelling, always check the latest information from Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania.

Their official planning information covers:

• Overland Track bookings

• Safety

• Weather

• Track conditions

• Transport

• Ferry information

• Maps

• Walking requirements

• Park information

Parks & Wildlife Tasmania – Plan Your Overland Track Trip

Parks & Wildlife Tasmania – Overland Track Information